Four Factors to Maintain Humidity for the Orchid Plant
In order for your orchid to be healthy, you have to make it's environment suitable for its growth like its natural habitat:
First and foremost, it is essential to know the first the variety or species that your orchids belong to. Many people would like to take care of orchids and just plunge into the hobby without knowing a single information about the species of the orchids they are taking care of . If you would like to take care of tropical orchids then take time to learn about its natural environment before proceeding to take care of the plant. There are several factors which you should know in order to make your orchids healthy , beautiful and blooming in the fastest time possible.
All Orchids Need a Humid Environment in order for it to survive. And there are four critical things that you need to know in order to maintain the right Humidity of your orchid plant:
a) By definition , humidity pertains to the water held in the air and soil surrounding the plant. You have the term "relative humidity," a percentage which means the amount of water vapor in the air. If the amount of water vapor in the air is 100% then the air cannot hold any anymore water vapor and it means that the air has reached its saturation level. For most orchids originated in tropical regions where relative humidity often reaches 80 – 100%. you need to know that a lot of orchids cared for by orchid growers that daytime humidity need to reach levels of 50% to 70% in order that orchids thrive properly.
Average home environment has a relative humidity of only about 30 to 40%, and if have a heated home installed with thick drapes and carpets the humidity can be as low as 5% because those things absorb moisture . This is very detrimental to your orchids and would probably kill it . However, There are Additional things which can be done in order to mitigate the impact on your orchids.
b)During summertime, it would not be too difficult to give the right humidity for your orchids. Just open your windows and the right humidity level is achieved but during winter it becomes more difficult. You need to put your orchids in a tray containing pebbles and water . Humidity trays with pebbles will naturally hold less water more difficult to drain, and bugs seem to like to hide down between the rocks, and they will be quite heavy. On the other hand, pebbles are inexpensive and they will provide slightly more humidity as they increase the surface area of the water allowing additional evaporation. Just add a small amount of chlorine bleach or quaternary ammonium salts (Physan 20, RD-20) disinfectant to the humidity tray water on a regular basis to cut down on pathogens, pests, algae, and odors that may linger there. The evaporating water will create humidity near the plants that will help the plants thrive even if the humidity in the rest of the home is not sufficient. Make sure that the water never touches the bottom of the orchid pot. Capillary action will draw water up into the growing medium within the pot, and expose the roots to too much water, leading to root rot and ultimately a dead orchid.
c)You can group you orchids and place them near each other in order to create a humid microclimate. Just place the plants near each other, and make sure there is still room between them for air to circulate .Air circulation is absolutely vital to orchid health. In very humid environments, the air can become stagnant, so be sure to have air moving around your orchids. This can be accomplished by placing a fan near your orchids or having a ceiling fan in the same room.If possible use a room humidifier. An evaporative-pad humidifier is usually better than a mist humidifier, because, unlike a mist humidifier, it doesn't leave your orchids with a white film (from the minerals in the water being deposited on the leaves).
d) Spraying or misting your orchids with water can also to the humidity. Be sure to avoid spraying plants in the late afternoon or evening. Rather spray in the morning and early afternoon since allows enough time for the water to evaporate and keeps the plants healthier.The cooler temperatures of evening can lead to condensation that may lead to rotting and disease.
Any Orchid is more likely to thrive when its present environment is closely held to its natural habitat . Orchids, which have specific needs for light, temperature, air movement, growing medium,and water demand no less.
First and foremost, it is essential to know the first the variety or species that your orchids belong to. Many people would like to take care of orchids and just plunge into the hobby without knowing a single information about the species of the orchids they are taking care of . If you would like to take care of tropical orchids then take time to learn about its natural environment before proceeding to take care of the plant. There are several factors which you should know in order to make your orchids healthy , beautiful and blooming in the fastest time possible.
All Orchids Need a Humid Environment in order for it to survive. And there are four critical things that you need to know in order to maintain the right Humidity of your orchid plant:
a) By definition , humidity pertains to the water held in the air and soil surrounding the plant. You have the term "relative humidity," a percentage which means the amount of water vapor in the air. If the amount of water vapor in the air is 100% then the air cannot hold any anymore water vapor and it means that the air has reached its saturation level. For most orchids originated in tropical regions where relative humidity often reaches 80 – 100%. you need to know that a lot of orchids cared for by orchid growers that daytime humidity need to reach levels of 50% to 70% in order that orchids thrive properly.
Average home environment has a relative humidity of only about 30 to 40%, and if have a heated home installed with thick drapes and carpets the humidity can be as low as 5% because those things absorb moisture . This is very detrimental to your orchids and would probably kill it . However, There are Additional things which can be done in order to mitigate the impact on your orchids.
b)During summertime, it would not be too difficult to give the right humidity for your orchids. Just open your windows and the right humidity level is achieved but during winter it becomes more difficult. You need to put your orchids in a tray containing pebbles and water . Humidity trays with pebbles will naturally hold less water more difficult to drain, and bugs seem to like to hide down between the rocks, and they will be quite heavy. On the other hand, pebbles are inexpensive and they will provide slightly more humidity as they increase the surface area of the water allowing additional evaporation. Just add a small amount of chlorine bleach or quaternary ammonium salts (Physan 20, RD-20) disinfectant to the humidity tray water on a regular basis to cut down on pathogens, pests, algae, and odors that may linger there. The evaporating water will create humidity near the plants that will help the plants thrive even if the humidity in the rest of the home is not sufficient. Make sure that the water never touches the bottom of the orchid pot. Capillary action will draw water up into the growing medium within the pot, and expose the roots to too much water, leading to root rot and ultimately a dead orchid.
c)You can group you orchids and place them near each other in order to create a humid microclimate. Just place the plants near each other, and make sure there is still room between them for air to circulate .Air circulation is absolutely vital to orchid health. In very humid environments, the air can become stagnant, so be sure to have air moving around your orchids. This can be accomplished by placing a fan near your orchids or having a ceiling fan in the same room.If possible use a room humidifier. An evaporative-pad humidifier is usually better than a mist humidifier, because, unlike a mist humidifier, it doesn't leave your orchids with a white film (from the minerals in the water being deposited on the leaves).
d) Spraying or misting your orchids with water can also to the humidity. Be sure to avoid spraying plants in the late afternoon or evening. Rather spray in the morning and early afternoon since allows enough time for the water to evaporate and keeps the plants healthier.The cooler temperatures of evening can lead to condensation that may lead to rotting and disease.
Any Orchid is more likely to thrive when its present environment is closely held to its natural habitat . Orchids, which have specific needs for light, temperature, air movement, growing medium,and water demand no less.
