Hi Tanie, what sort of temperatures go with the 20% humidity and what sort of humidity levels in your home do you get when dry ex polar air is outside?

There is a "sun room" upstairs that is a very arid place sometimes when the outside air is coming from across a dry arid Continent. I've never tried to grow anything up there.

A few more details might help the real orchid growers in Northern USA give good advice.

Hi Arthur,

So nice to hear from you former friend again! My little sunroom when closed all the windows, temperature can go up to 25, 26 degrees even outside tempt is only 15 to 17 degrees, the warmer the drier it is. If I open the windows to get some fresh air in, it gets dry very quickly but if I keep all windows close and 2 portable humidifiers are on to max, it still up to only 40% and water in the tanks go faster than what it says on the box which is 24, 25 hrs.

In the house there's a humidifier connected with the furnace and all I needed to do was set it up once, it circulates humidity in the house according to what level I set. In the sunroom, I don't have it connect with this furnace or humidifier, I have a little fireplace for warm but now the problem is the dryness...

Tanie

How big is your sun room? Do you use warm mist or cool mist humidifiers?

I also have a sun room that gets low on humidity when it's very sunny all day. With warm mist humidifiers and a fan I can regulate the humidity to about 50% all day without it getting too hot. I personally think cool mist humidifiers are pointless for my needs, but I'm sure they work for others.

Good morning Suzabanana,

My sunroom is only 150sq. f. I presently use the cool mist humidifiers, I had a warm mist I used in winter and it was great. I thought if I use the warm mist might be too warm for the orchids. Presently the warm mist doesn't work anymore, I will buy another one to try out to see as you said. Thank you!

Would anyone show me how to install picture(s)?

I thought I did yesterday in the first post pictures of my Nelly Isler and Den but it didn't show.

Thank you all and have a great day!

Tanie

Tannie, I forget where you live, Canada??
At this time of year, I wouldn't worry about humidity. I would think in a few weeks the days will be warmer and you can start opening windows or even putting a few plants out in the afternoon.

When I grew in NY, I could not keep the humidity above 13% in winter. Large room, high ceilings, furnace blasting. I used warm mist vaporizers, the cheapest I could find. The orchids most affected by humidity got moved into a small room with the vaporizers and I set up lights to keep them growing. All my other plants stayed in the big room, dry as a desert! They were all fine.

I have found the humidity concern to not be a concern. Of course there are certain plants which have to have it, but most do fine for the few months it isn't there.

Jane

Thank you Jane,

That sure will put me at ease. (yes, I live in Alberta, Canada) Most of my orchids are doing well in this little room and I didn't want them to suffer from dryness since I heard people online say with orchids the humidity has to be somewhere between 50 -70% During the days when it's about 17, 18 degrees outside, inside even with 2 humidifiers run like crazy and it's still only 35% or sometimes lower. Suz in last post told me to use warm mist. I tried it last night and it seems to work better than cool mist. Thank you Suz for your advice.

Have a great day everyone!

Tanie

You are taking on quite a challenge in Alberta! My husband worked in Fort McMurray for 5 years and never really sorted out all the extremes of light and dark. We have a few colleagues from those days in Calgary who have had a milder winter than we have in Boston this year!

Good luck!

Hi! Since you were talking about humidifier, I am searching for a decent brand of humidifier for my sun room . If you don't mind please propose a first class brand. Much appreciated!

http://www.bestsellingreviews.com/Personal-Care/Humidifier/

Hi Marion,

I have one for warm mist and 1 for cool mist. Just the regular one (2 litter of water). The warm one takes lot more water and gives out more humidity. These both are very quiet unless you turn it up.

Tanie

I've had about a dozen warm mist humidifiers over the past decade and the one I keep going back to is the Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier. It's about $30 at any drug store/Target/Walmart.

Same as Suzabanana. The Vick's are the best and the cheapest.

Jane

I meant to write the branch I use but forgot! My apology. Mine are Honey Well. I will have a look for Vick's Warm Mist to see. I like the ones I have for now. Tried few other kinds but they were too loud when turned on and more expensive. The ones I have are from Home Depot and I paid $60 each. I hope you'll find the right one for you.

Tanie