Humidity and Orchid growing - Orchid Board

Gthumbz89 · #1 08-04-2013, 11:06 PM

Does anyone have experience growing things like cattleyas and phal violacea in low humidity???? I currently grow in a partially enclosed aquarium, but I would like to get away from growing that way. Ditching the tank would greatly help me get more plants. The problem is that I have no idea how my plants will hold up in lower humidity conditions. Arizona households can have as little as 10 % humidity depending on the time of year. My sinningia speciosas seem to be doing fine in low humidity, but they aren't orchids. Any thoughts or Experiences would help me make a decision. Thanks.

Ordphien · #2 08-04-2013, 11:12 PM

I would invest in a humidifier. For your orchids and you.
They can be relatively cheap.
Getting your home/room to 40% is enough for most orchids in my opinion.
I'm sure others with more existence will chime in.

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WhiteRabbit · #3 08-05-2013, 08:20 PM

Does the humidity go up at night? If so, how much?

Summer days here can be quite dry, but humidity goes up a lot at night.

Is 10% percent the usual, or an occasional thing?

Cool mist humidifiers definitely can't hurt. I know we have some members in AZ and CO., grow some orchids outdoors, I believe ...

Gthumbz89 · #4 08-06-2013, 04:50 PM

It probably does go up a little bit at night. How much though, I'm not sure. If all I need is 40% humidity to grow most plants then I suppose I'll do an experiment with a humidifier to see how much I can boost the moisture in the air. Thanks.

Gthumbz89 · #5 08-07-2013, 02:45 PM

Ok guys looks like with a humidifier running in my room I can get about 45 percent humidity.

Ordphien · #6 08-07-2013, 04:05 PM

Much better.
My house naturally ranges from 40 - 60 most days and my orchids do fine. I'm not growing anything to exotic though.
I'm sure your body still like the extra mm
Humidity too lol.

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Gthumbz89 · #7 08-07-2013, 05:08 PM

Now all I have to do is buy a stronger light and a table to upgrade my grow space!!!

Ordphien · #8 08-07-2013, 05:21 PM

I'm right there with you. The lighting... Gah... the expense!
Think of how many orchids I could buy

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Island Girl · #9 08-24-2013, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ordphien

I'm right there with you. The lighting... Gah... the expense!
Think of how many orchids I could buy

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I have the same problem too... I think, "oh wow, that would help a lot, I should invest in that!" ....then I think about how many orchids I want, and how many I could buy with that amount of $$..... and then I go out and buy the orchids instead

heheheh

Yes, a humidifier helps a lot. Even with the high humidity here in NC, indoors with the AC on, the RH really isn't high enough, so we have to use humidifiers here. (most the growers in NC that I know of, who don't have a greenhouse, have to use humidifiers for their orchids)

NYCorchidman · #10 08-09-2013, 11:48 PM

I just looked up relativel humidity in Arizona and it says average is 18%. minimum 9%, high 44%.

Most commonly available orchids do well in rather low humidity but anything lower than 30 might be a bit tough.

I know many people living in dry climate grow their orchids in their basement with light set up.
Is that an option for you?

For now, you can just experiment with growing them out of the aquarium and see how they do. You might be surprised that they may grow well for you.
My opinion is that as long as you water them good, they shouldn't suffer too much.