Building my own moisture tray-- any advice?

[atom]

I have three plants:

Odontocidium Tiger Crow 'Golden Girl'
MW226 Milt. Rene Komoda 'Pacific Clouds'
and mystery phal (red&white)

It was suggested that I use a tray to increase the humidity. I would prefer build one, or buy onet at a minimum cost. Has anyone else built their own? Tips?

[cowboy51278]

i made one for my livingroom this past winter just to put some other tropical plants on. i used a seedling tray to hold the water ($1), put some crushed marble in (can get a 80lb bag for $4 at HD....does about 8 trays), cut down some egg crate ($10 for a 2x4' sheet...will do 4 or 5 of these trays) and got some cheap 1"x4" lumber at mr seconds ($6)and made up frame and painted it to sit over the whole thing so you can't see the ugly tray. it doesn't drain like the expensive $70 ones doe but for the difference in the price i can sit there once every week or so and use a turkey bastor to suck up the excess water. when i get new batteries for the camera ill take a couple pics for ya.

[Dorothy]

What if you cut out a hole at one end or bottom of the tray ..
place in a spigot and chaulk around it ..
Shim the tray so the water will drain toward the spigot ..
make the frame large enough to make up for and cover the tilted tray ..
and put the turkey baster away

[cowboy51278]

i tried that with the tray, but i tend to be a bit of a bumble clutz. maybe if you used a stronger type tray, like a shallow rubbermail container. but i always bump into the my little drain thingies and crack the tray....they are cheapies after all. but so long as im not busting off flower spikes while i water all is well

[atom]

Thanks cowboy...

I found a small tray at a local store that is $14, so I might just go with that.

Until then, I might try moving them into the bathroom whenever I shower.

[Ross]

We have a member (John) from Chicago area that has a lot of experience in this area. Here is one post for example http://www.orchidboard.com/community/52956-post16.html where he describes building his own including the drain. I recommend contacting him directly (he hasn't posted for a while, but I am sure he is still around.)

[Dorothy]

Thanks, Ross .. I couldn't remember where that thread was
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