To fan or not to fan? Air movement in winter.
 

Hi there,

I've read copious amounts about the benefits of air movement to orchid growth. However, I have noticed that being around fans tends to make you colder.

Down here on the "bottom half" of the planet, we're moving into winter.

Should I still leave my oscillating fan on all the time as I have for the past few months, or should it go off at night? i.e. will leaving the fan on harm the plants by chilling them too much? I think it's OK (wind doesn't stop in winter at night in the wild), but my girlfriend thinks I'm going to damage things.

I plan to keep the air temperature in my orchid room somewhere between 10-15 degrees C all winter long (using a fan heater which won't blow directly on the plants).

My humidifier aims to make the RH 75% or thereabouts and generally achieves this easily at night once the windows are shut; it will probably go above this with the day/night temperature cycles we see around here as the air chills at night.

If this question is species specific, my current plant menagerie is listed here.

Thanks for any advice. :)

I use fans pretty much 24/7 in all seasons on the plants that are kept in the house.
Joann

I actually added the fan this winter. I was getting a lot of rot and once I had some air movement it cleared up. I vote keep it on. Mine runs 24/7.

Out of all things an orchid needs to grow well, I think air movement is probably THE most important element.
I have 2 ceiling fans in my orchid room...in winter, I switch it to reverse and it pushes the warmer air back down and still creates a breeze for the chids to enjoy.

:goodluck:

Thanks for the thumbs up on fans :)

I run fans 24/7 365 days!