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I have been growing orchids since the early 90's. Never knew that these forums existed. I could spend far too much time looking at them, but there are plants to be repotted and the g-house to be cleaned before fall.
Right now I have to do something to raise the humidity in my greenhouse. I have looked at the posts on forums and can't afford what I would like, a hydrofogger or an aquafog. I am not sure how the ultrasonic things work, they seem easy to set up but they are some what expensive if they don't work.
I am wondering if a Mistking set up, to moisten the vandal roots, if I angle them just right, would make the other plants too wet. I have also thought about mist nozzles under the bench wetting the floor every so often would do the trick. My benches are supported with blue plastic barrels filled with water [helps stabilizes the heat in winter] the floor has large pavers over gravel and a drain system under the floor
Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this issue, it has been much too dry in my greenhouse this summer, we have had a number of days in the 90's and behind in rainfall, unusual for the blue ridge mountains.
Love to hear from you, Cove Lady

 

Thanks Kelly, Good to get a post. I have a sister-in-law in Los Osos, it looks on the map like its not too far from you. but she doesn't grow orchid. Trying to look at your photos but don't know how to navigate the site. I am from the "older generation" pre technology. I am trying though. Cove Lady

 

ash1de - thanks for the info, I have wanted to do a system like that, I saw it on Brad's Greenhouse but I didn't know that a fogger as small as 3 disks would do the job. My ghouse is 10 x 14 so it is not much bigger than yours. Another orchid grower told me that they don't work so it is good to hear that they do. As I said, I saw it working on the uTubs video. I explored the mainland mart site, they seem to have a lot at reasonable prices. This has made my day, I want to start getting the stuff right away, can't wait to see that fog puffing out. Spent a couple of weeks in Ann Arbor may years ago, are you anywhere near there? Was surprised at how sandy the soil was. Then went to the dunes and that explained it. OH! my orchid are going to be so happy now, Thank you, Thank you, Cove Lady

 

Kelly,
I am in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brevard, NC. People don't realize how long East to West this state is. It takes 7 hours to get to the coast from where I live, the closest is Charleston, SC. that is 5 hours. I fell in love with Los Osos when I was there, but don't want to move.
I love the mountains, usually we have very abundant rain and it is green all year, none of that brown stuff. This area is very upbeat and not "southern". You don't hear the drawl speech but there is a mountain accent that is quite different. Because the highest peak on the east coast is right here, 6000'+, we have climates ranging from what you would find in NH. to zone 7 in Virginia with out high humidity. This is the first year we have had a number of days in the 90's, I hope that climate change is not causing it and we will have our usual 80s next year.
I love going out my lane in the winter and looking up at the snow on the higher mountains and know if I want too I can drive up there and do some skiing. It is a great place for horticulture including orchids, mine are outside all summer except for the Phals. the slugs like them too much.
How do I get to see your photos? I don't know how to navigate the site very well, all this is very new to me.
Good to hear from you, Cove Lady

 

Hi,David,
Following up on the greenhouse humidity issue, have found all the things for the fogger setup that you suggested. I was not successful with Green Air humidistat. Talked to their tech person, Cedar, he said that the analogs tend to have trouble in the humid environment and that I should use one with a remote sensor. Well they are all well over $100, out of my budget.
I found something, Zoo Med Hygrotherm Humidity and Temperature Controller, it has a remote sensor and I think it is long enough that i can have the unit outside of the greenhouse. It's range of great enough to handle what I need, in addition it has a photo cell so it runs less at night. I found it on Pet Mountain.com, it's $75 discounted from $145, that I can do. I'm wondering what you think?

 

Hi Marni, Glad you posted me.
I looked at Mainland Mart, will probably get them from there. Also looked at House of Hydro, they claim theirs have a special coating that makes them last longer and need less cleaning, their more money and don't know if they are any better. How long do yours work before cleaning or replacing?
Are you using a regular house humidistat to something else. I have not used any of this before nor do I know anyone who has, so I feel sort of out in left field.

 

Good Morning Marni,
What size is your greenhouse, I need to figure out what size unit I need to get, mine is 10' x 14', it is a lean too against my house. The sides are 2x4 walls with windows, the roof double wall polycarbonate. I don't know how much fog these things put out but I want to get one big enough to fill the whole house not just one end.
How long does it last, what size tub/pond do you have it in? I did not see a stainless steel one, I will look again.
Thank you, Anita

 

Good morning, glad to hear from you.
I don't think the controller actually stops at night but just doesn't run as much. It is for reptile cages and they need the humidity all the time. Talked to the company and they said that it should control the fogger just fine.
Does your unit fill the whole greenhouse with fog? I have to place it at one end of my house and want the fog to reach the other end. I looked for a stainless unit but didn't see one anywhere, do you have a stainless one or are they all stainless or doesn't it really matter?
I am going to have to use a house water filter until I can afford a RO set up. Since my husband died my budget is somewhat limited, can't do it all at once.
Good to hear that they do last a few years, how often do they need cleaning, is it less with the RO water?
Anita

 

David,

I'm just about ready to place an order for one, am going to call Mainland Mart tomorrow. Hopefully they speak english reasonably well, if they are from overseas. I really want to get this thing set up. Thanks for the help, Anita