Humidity trays

[Fairorchids]

The seaside version of the The Raptor Trust in the Great Swamp in NJ. They receive primarily raptors from all over the greater metropolitan NY area.

They have several dozen aviaries for birds that cannot be released. When their resident snowy owls breed, the young are flown to Minnesota for release.

[WaterWitchin]

Wow, that is SUPER fun Ray! It's like having your own conservatory in almost your back yard. I would do just about anything to have someone thrust an ibis at me and say "hold this!" Or rodeo down a pelican. Wish I was close enough to go catch fish for 'em and help feed. {{sigh}}

---------- Post added at 07:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 AM ----------

We were fortunate enough to visit Disneyland's Discovery Island about a year before it closed. Took the kids there as older teenagers for one of those "final memories" before they both headed off to college.

It was amazing. Walking along with flamingos. Huge aviaries, so big you would forget it was enclosed. The best/worst part...there was a board sidewalk along part of the beach (you have to stay on the paths) and along the railing of that path were like fortysome buzzards/vultures lined up sitting on the railing. Just watching us. Not moving, just watching. We all slunk along the walkway at the opposite side, and they just kept eyeing us, making funny little clicking noises. Scary, surreal, and totally up close and personal.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Ray and WW! Those are amazing stories!

That is really good on you for the assistance, Ray

Discovery Island!!! Kids today have no idea

[Ray]

We knew that when we retired we wanted to be on salt water somewhere. Our back yard abuts the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, so we see Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and kingfishers all the time, along with lots of other shore birds. We have been lucky to see river otters on relatively rare occasion, but pods of dolphins come by every couple of weeks.

I am still trying to relearn non-greenhouse culture for my plants. Summer out on the deck seems to be a winner overall if I water often enough, but dealing with dry, indoors conditions in the winter is a challenge.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by avian

Thinking that I should get some humidity trays. I found some cheap ones that I can order at Target or Walmart and they come with pebbles but I prefer the trays that have the grid on top.

I need something small that will fit on the shelves of a rolling cart and found this one: Humidi-Grow

Just seems a bit pricey to me. I've compared the price and due to the free shipping Amazon's price seems to be the cheapest.

Is this worth the $$? Are there any others with grids @ this size that are less money?

Avian - I spent a small fortune on Humidi-trays before I learned they really don't work for healthy plants. I only use them now when I want to hydrate a dry plant - pop it on the humid tray filled with water and place a ziplock bag over the top. That is the only time I find they are useful. (Yes, they are pricey!!!)

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Oh, the link anytime the word "mist" is used is automatic... a product of the owner of the forum. Just a slightly annoying little "feature", a bit of advertising for a person who supports this whole operation... small compensation.

hahaha! True Roberta. The detected word is misting.

Every time the word 'misting' is used in general text typing, it comes up as 'misting'.

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[avian]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Of course rescue birds like sparrow, robin, etc, etc. Bred and raised parakeets, roller canaries, finches. Had a conure, a double yellow headed Amazon, and an African grey. A couple other parrots I can't call to mind at the moment. And raced homing pigeons for about twenty years (not the same thing at all).

Was curious. Always had a humidifier in area where birds were. Have to have excellent sanitation skillz to run one. Around 50% RH is the best compromise between people and birds.

I've read that humidifiers can "harvest" mold and bacteria so I can understand that it is important to be diligent if you run them.

I found a banded pigeon once. He was beautiful. I knew I couldn't keep him so I handed him offer to a pigeon rescue. Made me feel sad but I knew it was the best for him. Thought the person might be able to find the owner.

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry to continue the highjack, but you two would love the Sea Biscuit Bird Rescue here on the island. A 70+ year old retired realtor has her entire back yard ~ 1/10 acre converted for the process.

She has a pen with a pool for the pelicans (she usually has at least a half-dozen), a large, tall cage for the hawks and eagles and a bunch more smaller pens for owls, shore birds, etc. A nearby island is the breeding place for 85% of the white ibises in the US, so she gets a lot of those, too.

This place sounds great. Amazing that she converted her backyard into a bird rescue. My house has been taken over by my birds.

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

The seaside version of the The Raptor Trust in the Great Swamp in NJ. They receive primarily raptors from all over the greater metropolitan NY area.

They have several dozen aviaries for birds that cannot be released. When their resident snowy owls breed, the young are flown to Minnesota for release.

Another wonderful place. It's good that there are places that care for these birds and give them a second chance.

I've never visited any of the bird rescues here. There are a few parrot rescue places and there are some wildlife rehab places that take care of birds.

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

Avian - I spent a small fortune on Humidi-trays before I learned they really don't work for healthy plants. I only use them now when I want to hydrate a dry plant - pop it on the humid tray filled with water and place a ziplock bag over the top. That is the only time I find they are useful. (Yes, they are pricey!!!)

Based on the majority of opinions when it comes to humidity trays, I've decided to just continue watering how I've been watering and also misting as needed. As long as this seems to work I won't invest in humidity trays. If I decide to give them a try in the future I'll just get some cheap trays and put some mesh or other grid-like material on top.

Most of my orchids seem to be doing OK although I do think some might need more light. Thought about indoor lighting but don't know how I would set them up in the areas where they are located. I'm hoping that some of them will start blooming. Had a Dendrobium that looked like it was spiking but it failed.

I think my orchids are using their energy to put out new stems, roots, leaves and pseudobulbs rather than new flowers.

---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

We knew that when we retired we wanted to be on salt water somewhere. Our back yard abuts the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, so we see Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and kingfishers all the time, along with lots of other shore birds. We have been lucky to see river otters on relatively rare occasion, but pods of dolphins come by every couple of weeks.

I am still trying to relearn non-greenhouse culture for my plants. Summer out on the deck seems to be a winner overall if I water often enough, but dealing with dry, indoors conditions in the winter is a challenge.

That sounds wonderful. I would love to be able to walk into my backyard and see those beautiful birds as well as otters and dolphins. Amazing!

My backyard gets super hot although there's usually some kind of breeze blowing. I know the air circulation is good for most orchids but I'm concerned about the all day sun and the heat.

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[Roberta]

Avian -
Remember, orchids do things slooowwwly. If they put out new growth, eventually flowers are very likely to happen. If everything is growing well, do consider increasing light (but gradually... orchids hate sudden changes) With shading and a breeze, most orchids can take quite a bit of heat... direct sun that causes local high leaf temperature can be very damaging. But high ambient temps, with air movement and adequate water, are less of an issue. Where you live, 60% shade cloth could make your yard hospitable for quite a few of your orchids (Leave the Phals inside, but most of the rest will be OK)