One thing a person who wants to grow orchids well eventually reaches is the humidity wall. Orchids are generally tropical, generally epiphytes (grow in the air), and prefer high humidity. Vandaceous orchids and some others like it upwards of 70-90% humidity. Unless you are fortunate enough to live in states like Florida, southern Texas or California, or Hawaii, that probably isn't always available to you. So what is a well-meaning orchid hobbyist (or more than a hobbyist) to do?
Ideally? Build a greenhouse and get a humidifier. Most of us can't do that for whatever reason.
Ideally? Build a greenhouse and get a humidifier. Most of us can't do that for whatever reason.
What else? Misting. Honestly, it kind of annoys me due to the frequency one would need to mist to make any real difference, and with species such as phalaenopsis, it can create problems of its own.
That mostly leaves humidity trays. Basically, a tray filled with water the orchids sit ABOVE, usually by means of rocks. Orchids hate wet feet (except for paphiopedilums, but we'll ignore those as I'll probably never buy one.)
Companies such as repotme.com or orchidlight.com make excellent ones as do some others. To me, they basically look like the black trays garden nurseries use to grow their seedlings in before graduating them to individual pots. Water stays in the trays and they are tall enough to hold a decent amount of water before having to be refilled again.
Sadly, I think they are kind of expensive. But they are almost necessary to grow good orchids if you don't live in a tropical environment or have a greenhouse. A humidifier is an option, especially in small rooms, but I didn't want to go out and buy one. I have been pondering how to make a homemade tray for some time now.
The expense rises when you have more than a few orchids. I have several phals, three dendrobiums, and an epidendrum my grandfather gave me. Buying multiple trays costs a lot, for me at least. Keeping water off my furniture is another thing. I saw where one lady used ice cube trays when she was out of town. Great idea, though ice cube trays aren't very big and my cats would probably tip them over. (They are idiots.)
Then I had the idea I will now show you. One of those aforementioned seedling trays from a nursery (I bought some a while back from Johnny's Select Seeds so they were basically free to me) and an unused 18x13 glass baking dish. Cut the tray to size, fit in the baking dish, and fill with water. It can hold a lot of water, which is great for the hot summers we have where I live. It means I don't have to refill it as often. The drainage holes in the bottom of the seedling tray means each one of the cells fills with water for even evaporation. Just like those expensive orchid trays.
That mostly leaves humidity trays. Basically, a tray filled with water the orchids sit ABOVE, usually by means of rocks. Orchids hate wet feet (except for paphiopedilums, but we'll ignore those as I'll probably never buy one.)
Companies such as repotme.com or orchidlight.com make excellent ones as do some others. To me, they basically look like the black trays garden nurseries use to grow their seedlings in before graduating them to individual pots. Water stays in the trays and they are tall enough to hold a decent amount of water before having to be refilled again.
Sadly, I think they are kind of expensive. But they are almost necessary to grow good orchids if you don't live in a tropical environment or have a greenhouse. A humidifier is an option, especially in small rooms, but I didn't want to go out and buy one. I have been pondering how to make a homemade tray for some time now.
The expense rises when you have more than a few orchids. I have several phals, three dendrobiums, and an epidendrum my grandfather gave me. Buying multiple trays costs a lot, for me at least. Keeping water off my furniture is another thing. I saw where one lady used ice cube trays when she was out of town. Great idea, though ice cube trays aren't very big and my cats would probably tip them over. (They are idiots.)
Then I had the idea I will now show you. One of those aforementioned seedling trays from a nursery (I bought some a while back from Johnny's Select Seeds so they were basically free to me) and an unused 18x13 glass baking dish. Cut the tray to size, fit in the baking dish, and fill with water. It can hold a lot of water, which is great for the hot summers we have where I live. It means I don't have to refill it as often. The drainage holes in the bottom of the seedling tray means each one of the cells fills with water for even evaporation. Just like those expensive orchid trays.
Another thing the seedling tray provides is support. Yes, I could have filled the tray with gravel or smooth rocks like many people suggest. However, I didn't have rocks that would provide a level surface, my cats would probably dig in it, and it would be unnecessarily heavy with my resources. If you have gravel, use it by all means. Baking dishes are great. But with the seedling tray I didn't need to worry about the plants being level. It has a rigid plastic base with cells. Ample support for even my largest phal.
One thing I would like to warn you about, regardless of your endeavors with homemade humidity trays, is to be careful the orchid is not actually sitting in water. That will quickly lead to root rot and death for your orchids. They hate wet feed. I encourage you to find something tall enough to provide a good amount of water while leaving at least half an inch of dry space between the support base and the orchid pot. That way you get evaporation and humidity without rotting out the bottom of your plants.
What other ideas have you orchid people had for humidity trays? Have they improved your plants?
One thing I would like to warn you about, regardless of your endeavors with homemade humidity trays, is to be careful the orchid is not actually sitting in water. That will quickly lead to root rot and death for your orchids. They hate wet feed. I encourage you to find something tall enough to provide a good amount of water while leaving at least half an inch of dry space between the support base and the orchid pot. That way you get evaporation and humidity without rotting out the bottom of your plants.
What other ideas have you orchid people had for humidity trays? Have they improved your plants?