humidity trays - Orchid Board

rh348877 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 03:06 PM

Do you have to buy something labeled as “humidity tray” or can you buy some clay/plastic tray throw some rocks and water in it and call it good? Some of the humidity trays I’ve seen have been so ugly. Thanks for your help everyone!

Tindomul · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 04:02 PM

Yea, you can make it anything you like. I use cafeteria trays with gravel on them. Sometimes I just use over sized water dishes with gravel. By the way, Welcome to the Board!!!!!!

littlefrog · #3 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 04:15 PM

Humidity trays don't actually do much for increasing humidity. They are a good way to keep water from getting everywhere, but as a humidification mechanism they are pretty useless. Unless you have a whole room full of them.

Consider the physics of a small surface area (a flat tray, perhaps increased a bit by pebbles) to evaporate water from, and the volume of the room to disperse that water into. It just won't do much. But if it makes people feel better...

Grouping plants together does a bit to increase local humidity, which is a pleasant side effect of humidity trays. But if your air is too dry, you will need to invest in some sort of powered humidification system (a small room humidifier up to a whole house unit, depending on your means).

Tindomul · #4 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 04:43 PM

True. I have a room full of plants and water trays at work. Together they create alot of humidity. I also had the chance to experience first had the effects of many plants being together on humidity in the wild. I went to Bartlett's Arboretum (A little Forest in Connecticut) this Saturday. It was a humid day, but out on the road and in the parking area I could not make fog with my breath. But under the forest canopy, I could actually see the fog all around me, and I made more of it with my breath. It was too cool!

justatypn · #5 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 05:56 PM

Rob, I like the consider the physics part yes "it makes me feel better."

So true though, I have deep plant trays, they really do not do much for keeping the humidity high enough in my chid room, but make such a pretty arrangment. Humidifier works well for me right now. I use my kids humidifier from when they were babies. Hubby laughs at me, but hey it works in the meantime. Would love to purchase one over the next few months, can anyone give options and places to purchase???

Sandra Billeter · #6 (**permalink**) 09-28-2006, 11:18 AM

When we grew indoors (before GH) we used humidity trays that we made. We felt any additional humidity was good. We sought out plastic trays about 1 1/2 inches deep that fit the shelves of our baker's rack. Then my husband went to Home Depot and bought "egg crate" diffuser panels for recessed ceiling lights. They were in the dropped ceiling area and were grids of 1/2 inch white plastic. He then cut pieces about 1 inch larger than the trays with a sabre saw and they were sturdy enough to support the plants we put on them.

We also used cold steam vaporizers that we got at Wal Mart.

Sandra in South Carolina

cb977 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-28-2006, 02:28 PM

Hi and welcome to the OB!
I used Rubbermaid Drawer Dividers (cheap!) and a piece of lattice (also cheap!!!). It's much neater out there whether or not it's doing anything for humidity. I grow outside on my lanai in Florida and with the heat, I'll take all the possible help I can get...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...500&ppuser=293

caroline · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 10:48 AM

Hi Sandra,

If the humidity tray is only 1 1/2 inches deep, Then, rocks or whatever is put there take space as well. So, when the pots are placed on the uneven surface, they are not very steady. I had a tray which was 7 inches deep, so all pots are very steady to move around while watering or feeding. Do you think, 7 inches tray is too deep and can I use leca instead of rocks?

caroline

Sandra Billeter · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 01:32 PM

We didn't use any rocks so we had water that was 1 or or 1 1/4 inch deep. The plastic grid was on top of the tray and level and was strong enough to support the plants we put on it. I don't think there is any 'magic' number but if you have something that is working for you in your system, keep doing it. The key to any system is the results and if you're satisfied with how your plants are doing, that's all that's important.

Sandra in South Carolina