Humidity Mat For Orchids

Low humidity levels can cause problems such as stunted growth wrinkled leaves and deformed or dropping buds.

Humidity mat for orchids.

And because the heat in the summer will accelerate the water loss the humidity in the summer should be at least 70. By increasing the moisture and evaporation after watering a heating mat placed under the orchid s pot will raise overall relative humidity rh in the environment. The importance of humidity and air movement in successful orchid culture. There are a few orchids that like drier climates which means around 35 40 these include dendrobiums laelias and catesetums.

Insufficient humidity can stunt an orchid s growth and in severe cases it can cause brown tips on leaves. Most orchids like a little more humidity around 40 to 50. Seedling mats for orchids also induce root growth and supply perfect conditions for orchid seedlings to thrive until they are more mature plants. So what are humidity trays for orchids.

Generally speaking the humidity should be at least 40 during the day and 60 at night. Next create an open humidity tent picture a mini greenhouse by placing the orchid in an open clear plastic bag. If you will be setting the pot on a wood table or other surface susceptible to water damage glue a round cork trivet to the underside of the tray. These include the most accessibly bought orchids like cattleyas oncidiums and phalaenopsis.

Choose a drip tray for below the orchid pot that is at least an inch larger than the base of the plant. Using humidity to heal an orchid with root loss first wrap what s left of the roots in damp sphagnum moss. A deep tray that is larger than the base will allow for more water and therefore more humidity. It can also contribute to orchid buds falling off known as bud blast leaves wrinkling and drying of the sheaths the tubelike structures that surround the developing flower buds which can result in twisted or malformed flowers.

To elaborate this guide i focused on humidifiers that would satisfy these orchids in the intermediate range and. The heating mats turn off during the day when the combination of room heating and extra heat from the lights increases the air temperature to 70 75f. Light levels temperature humidity and air movement watering potting and potting media and nutrient supply as they relate to your plants. Initially i set the pots directly onto the heating mats.

The easiest option is probably to buy a ready humidity tray. During the winter homes especially those in cold climates with forced air heating systems usually have a relative humidity of about 15 percent. The evaporating water from the tray provides added humidity to the orchid. Most orchids will thrive best when humidity is between 40 to 70.

Excessive humidity without adequate airflow increases the risk of your orchid developing fungal or bacterial disease. The humidity tray is a setup of a tray with a plastic grid or a layer of gravel stones in it and water. The simple secret to good orchid growing is achieving a balance between the six or so factors.