Orchid care itself doesn't sound that complicated, but in fact there are many little things that can affect the healthy growth of the plant. One of the most important points that is often overlooked is the humidity in the room. Drought is the invisible problem for orchids that can lead to unhappy plants. But what is the right humidity for orchids and how can you regulate it? That is the topic of today's article.
What is the best humidity for orchids?
In their homeland, most orchids grow in an environment where the relative humidity is between 50 and 70 percent. However, the exact value can vary between different types. To know atwhat humidity your orchid needsTo grow best, you must first find out about the genus and species. Here are the percentage values for the most well-known species:
- Phalaenopsis: 50 %
- Dendrobium: 50 to 80%
- Cattleya: 50 bus 80 %
- Vanda: 80 %
- Miltonia: 50 bus 65 %
But one thing is certain: the relative humidity in our homes is probably too low for orchids. However, there are things you can do to create a good environment for the beautiful exotic plants.
Increasing humidity for orchids: an overview of the options
The dry indoor air is neither good for people nor plants. However, excessive humidity can promote mold growth in the home and lead to breathing problems. So what can you do to create the best growing conditions for orchids without harming the residents?
- Install a humidifier in a specific room
- Get a humidity meter (hygrometer) to check the percentage
- Sprinkle water regularly into the air around the orchid
- Use a bowl of water
- Place a layer of peat moss on the substrate
- Buy orchids that require low humidity
- Place other houseplants such as ferns in the same room
Recognize problems with humidity: These are the signs
Okay, but how do you determine if the humidity is too low if you don't have a humidity meter? The easiest way is to observe the plant closely. Orchids that don't get enough moisture from the air willProblems with the leaveshave. They become shriveled, folded and hang limp instead of standing upright and shining.
How to achieve the optimal humidity for orchids?
To solve the problem with humidity, you must first determine it. To do this, you can purchase an inexpensive moisture meter. If the humidity is too low, investing in a humidifier would be recommended. Alternatively, you can hang wet cloths around the room or distribute bowls of water, although this is not in keeping with a modern home. If this is not a problem for you, it will work well because the water will evaporate, increasing the relative humidity in the room.
Notice: In addition to humidity, air circulation also plays an important role for orchids. So it might be beneficial to use fans in the room where the plants are.
The following tried and tested ideas also help:
Place moisture trays under the pots
A windowsill tray or humidity tray is a good way to increase the humidity around the plants. This is a shallow bowl that is covered with gravel, marbles or any layer of porous material and filled 2/3 full with water. The orchid pot is placed above the water so that the bottom of the pot does not come into contact with the water. As the water evaporates, a bubble of moisture is created that directly hits and moistens the orchid.
Group several orchids together
When plants are planted together, the moisture emanating from one plant can moisten the neighboring plant. So if you have more than one orchid at home, bring them together so that they regulate the humidity for each other.
Also interesting:Can you plant two orchids in one pot??
Bring more plants into the room
Some houseplants are known for regulating the humidity in the room and creating a better indoor climate. Get several of these to improve the growing conditions for your orchids. Ferns, for example, are a good choice.
Use the right orchid pot
The more densely packed the orchid substrate is, the less the roots can breathe. When growing orchids in water, use a container that allows air to circulate around the roots, more than you think is necessary. If you use substrate such as peat moss or bark, do not pack it too tightly into the pot to allow air to circulate. Even if you want to move your orchids to pots that look more attractive, we recommend that you keep the ugly but functional plastic pot. For example, you can put it in an oversized pot that ensures air circulation around the inner pot.
Add sphagnum moss to the substrate
peat moss orSphagnum-Moosis ideal as an orchid substrate. If you place a thin layer on the substrate and mist it once a day, the water will evaporate just below the leaves, increasing humidity without disrupting the watering cycle. Be sure to place the moss away from the crown and trunk of the orchid and do not pack it too tightly.
