Low Humidity Problem

[Ray]

Passive humidification is almost worthless, unless it is used in a very tightly closed environment. Read:
Evaporation

[unique562]

I bought a greenhouse/hothouse for my orchids. I got it this summer and they seem to love it. I now have an orchid the has not bloomed in over 4 years blooming and a couple others blooming. The humidity stays 55 or higher. If you mist at least once a day the humidity will stay above 70. I put foil on the bottom to keep the humidity in.

[camille1585]

That hothouse/greenhouse looks like a good idea. I have one that I use for my flower and veggie seedlings, so I could always use it for orchids instead.
Some questions though. What do you do for air movement in there? Is there a fan of some sort?

[unique562]

I usually set a small box fan at the bottom.

[CodiMN]

Originally Posted by Lenka

Hi CodiMN,

I think you just solve my problem - many thanks I have found supplier here in London and might have it tomorrow yippie!! Don't think this one comes with the timer though, but that can be solved with external one. One more question; i do have all my chids on wooden furniture -will the fog affect the wood or shell I cover it just incase? another one more question; how long do you recommend to leave it on for? If you could please let me know the way you use it so I get a little idea before disaster occurs (very likely with me) Thanks one more time!

Hi Lenka,
I do have plastic around my orchids (I made a little orchidarium) which helps me "trap" the humidity.

If you do use the fogger, you will need to do something about the wood. Protect it somehow...you could use some plastic of some sort (seran wrap, foil or whatever would work too) to protect the wood. You could even just find a tray of some kind to set everything on that wouldn't cause a mess. I have a humidity tray, but I use it as a "catch tray" for the run off water from my waterings.

I leave my fogger on all day. I use a timer when I'm going to be gone for a couple days.

If anything, take your time. Your orchids need humidity, so experiment with creating an environment that is pleasing for you, won't destroy your furniture and helps your orchids get what they need.

Here's what I use to watch my humidity level and temperatures--I just grabbed a little thermometer/humidistadt thing from Wal Mart (Urg, I lothe Wal Mart). I'll try to attach a pic.

Please keep us updated. There's no single solution to the problem. Great thing about this OB, is that everyone knows what you're going thru!

[CodiMN]

Originally Posted by unique562

I bought a greenhouse/hothouse for my orchids. I got it this summer and they seem to love it. I now have an orchid the has not bloomed in over 4 years blooming and a couple others blooming. The humidity stays 55 or higher. If you mist at least once a day the humidity will stay above 70. I put foil on the bottom to keep the humidity in.

Woo hoo! Awesome job!

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by unique562

I bought a greenhouse/hothouse for my orchids. I got it this summer and they seem to love it. I now have an orchid the has not bloomed in over 4 years blooming and a couple others blooming. The humidity stays 55 or higher. If you mist at least once a day the humidity will stay above 70. I put foil on the bottom to keep the humidity in.

Looks great Unique562! Mine will have to do with temporoary solution as we are planning to buy a house this summer (we are renting at the moment) and then i am thinking more something built in.

Is't great though to see how people care about their orchids and have ideas about stuff and share their experiances.

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by Ray

Passive humidification is almost worthless, unless it is used in a very tightly closed environment. Read:
Evaporation

Hi Ray,
absolutely agree with you, great stuff on wour web site by the way! at the moment it's ok as a have water with bowls on hot radiators - so it makes a difference a bit.

And hopefuly with all the advices I got here I can pick up what suits me most and the conditions i got.

Thanks!

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by Ray

Passive humidification is almost worthless, unless it is used in a very tightly closed environment. Read:
Evaporation

Hi Ray,
absolutely agree with you, great stuff on wour web site by the way! at the moment it's ok as I have water with bowls on hot radiators - so it makes a difference a bit.

And hopefuly with all the advices I got here I can pick up what suits me most and the conditions i got.

Thanks!

[Ray]

When I first started growing orchids, I was renting a house that had gas radiant heaters. I put a 25-liter Pyrex crucible in front of the one in the "plant room" and kept it full of water. A giant pot of boiling water really humidifies!