What is a humidity tray and how can I make one?
How can I keep algae from growing in my humidity trays?
Where is a good place with humidity to grow my orchid?
Can we use a table top fountain for humidity?
Should I mist my orchid?
Should I place a fan near my orchid?
Should I use an air conditioner in the room I grow my orchids?
Can I smoke around my orchids?
How much light should I give my orchid?
What does full sun, partial sun, partial shade, filtered sun and dense shade mean?
Can I grow orchids under lights?
Q: What is a humidity tray and how can I make one?

A: Humidity trays are any kind of a container that has gravel and water in them.

You can use shallow bowls, kitty litter pans, plant saucers, cake pans, etc.

Fill your container about half full with pea gravel or colored aquarium gravel (looks nice and comes in all colors).

Fill your container with treated water (see the following question for treatment) just to the top of the gravel. As the gravel dries the moisture is released into the air creating humidity.

Let your plant sit on the gravel, because it will absorb the water and the roots will rot.

You can place a baker rack over your container or use type of screen that will keep the pot off the gravel.
 
Q: How can I keep algae from growing in my humidity trays?

A: You can add one tablespoon of liquid bleach per cup of water.
Don't splash this on your plants, they don't like it...

I have also used fungicides like RD-20 or Physan. You can get these from any supplier that sells orchid supplies.

TIP: Keep your trays clean. You should empty them and wash the gravel at least once a month.
 
Q: Where is a good place with humidity to grow my orchid?

A: The ideal place is a greenhouse, but bathrooms, kitchens, pool or spa areas, and washrooms are all acceptable locations.

Anywhere there is hot used water, moisture is released into the air and the surrounding area has a higher humidity.

If you can't grow them in these areas (lack of light, for instance) then use humidity trays.
 
Q: Can we use a table top fountain for humidity?

A: Colette Pierce sent in this great tip for increasing humidity in her home.

She uses a table top fountain to increase the humidity in her home. They are easily found these days, and are generally inexpensive.

Thanks to Colette for the tip!
 
Q: Should I mist my orchid?

A: Misting really does not do much for adding humidity to the air, unless you can mist every fifteen minutes.

The problem with hand misting is most people tend to bath the orchid in a stream of water.

If you mist, you want to spray a fine mist of water in the air above the plant, not right on it. Too much water on the plant could give a place for rot to form.
 
Q: Should I place a fan near my orchid?

A: A fan placed near your plants is very beneficial, it keeps the air from going stagnant and also helps the water evaporate from your humidity trays.

Don 't blow cold air on your orchids because they do not like cold drafts.
 
Q: Should I use an air conditioner in the room I grow my orchids?

A: Swamp-cooler type air conditioners are real good to keep the inside temperature down in some hot geographical areas and they also help put humidity in the air.

Refrigeration type units tend to dry the air much like your furnace.
 
Q: Can I smoke around my orchids?

A: Smoking is very harmful to orchids (and to you - take the hint the orchid is trying to tell you).

You can also give your orchids a virus called Tobacco Mosaic from the tobacco on your hands. As a rule, you should

NEVER smoke around your orchids and always wash your hands before handling them if you smoke.
 
Q: How much light should I give my orchid?

A: This of course depends on what type you are growing.

Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum like low light.

Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums like higher light.

Be careful placing your plants too close to a window with bright sun. The glass will actually magnify the light and burn their leaves.Also, in the winter time, (depending where you live, of course) the glass could get very cold and actually freeze your orchid.

For more in-depth information about lighting, read my lighting article.
 
Q: What does full sun, partial sun, partial shade, filtered sun, and dense shade mean?

A: Full Sun: Direct sunlight that's unobstructed for six to eight hours a day.
Partial Sun: About four hours of direct sun a day or lightly shaded sunlight all day.
Partial Shade: About two hours or less of sunlight a day.
Filtered Sun or Broken Shade: No direct sun, but some filtered light.
Dense Shade: No direct sun at all.

For more indepth information about lighting, read my lighting article.
 
Q: Can I grow orchids under lights?


A: Many types of orchids grow very well under lights.

Be sure you buy a good quality "grow light" and place the light above your plants.
(The distance between the light and your orchid will depend on the type and wattage of the light. Read the supplied manufacturer's directions).

You will want to use it at least twelve hours a day. Some orchids need the shorter days of winter to initiate their blooms.

Check the lighting requirements for each type of orchid you have.

A very informative article titled " Basement Orchid Culture Under Lights" written by John Burleson, a new orchid grower. You can read how and why he grows orchids in his basement and see photos of his lighting setup.

I would like to Thank the Catoctin Orchid Society and Dick Brubaker for permission to use the article.

An advanced system using HID lights can be found at Ken's Orchid Web.

A site that sells grow lights and other equipment is Indoor Garden Supplies.
( Tell them the Orchid Lady sent you. :-))