Orchid Moisture and the long lost secrets
Yes. Your orchids need moisture

Orchid moisture is not a myth. Don't take this orchid growing tip lightly. Many people make this mistake and wonder why their orchids aren't doing well.It may be as simple as orchid moisture

***Simple Tip*** Provide orchids with usually not less than 40% and usually not more than 70% atmospheric moisture (relative humidity) during the day.

While most plants get along on a definitely predetermined modicum of growth factors, several have eccentricities which should be pampered a bit. The eccentricity of orchids is that they require more atmospheric moisture than many other plants. Orchids are dependent on humidity owing to their strange, evolutionary adaptation to their native climate.

Our familiar garden plants control water evaporation, known horticulturally as transpiration, by means of stomata, the microscopic leaf pores through which water evaporates into the air. Their stomata close in the evening, open in the morning. They are reduced in size on hot days, closed during dry spells.

The stomata of most plants regulate or conserve the passage of water through the plant tissues. They keep enough water in plants so that the foliage is distended; yet enough water is transpired to provide plants with a continuous supply of soluble mineral nutrients. Hence, orchid moisture.

You have seen this phenomenon many times in your home. Place a glass of water in your living room; in a few days it is empty. Put another glass of water in your kitchen or bath; it lasts for weeks. Steaming foods and steaming bathrooms create enough moisture in the air to slow down evaporation from the glass of water. That is why plants frequently grow wonderfully in kitchens, fail in other rooms. All plants are benefited by some atmospheric moisture—orchids most of all.

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In a totally dry atmosphere orchids lose water so fast they cannot maintain a reserve. They slowly shrink in size, wrinkle and die. Dry spells in nature rarely last longer than two weeks to two months. Usually there is some dew and soil moisture available to tide the plants over, yet they shrivel badly until the rainy season renews their growth and vigor.

Under the artificial conditions of home, garden, and greenhouse culture, orchids must be supplied with atmospheric moisture. It may be a small and continuous amount, or a relatively large amount during the day and little or none at night.

Humidity is built up by several simple methods. The floors of greenhouses or the bases of Wardian cases and cold frames may be sprinkled daily with water. Garden walks, terraces, porches, and other outdoor areas may be hosed down as necessary to keep the air moist. In window culture, orchids are set above trays of water, or moist gravel. If trays are inconvenient, orchids may be syringed once or twice daily with a small atomizer, or their leaves wiped with a soft, moist cloth.
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Orchid moisture continued: These last two methods do not regulate transpiration; they check it, giving plants an opportunity to utilize water and build up a minimum reserve. Incidentally, all orchids, excepting a few water-sensitive ones, are benefited by syringing daily in clear, bright, warm weather. This is particularly true in eastern states. Of course, you wouldn't syringe orchids on dingy, dull, and cold days; or late in the afternoon or evening.

It is almost axiomatic in orchid culture that the moisture in the air about the plants must increase as the temperature increases, decrease as the temperature decreases. In cold weather very little humidity is needed, if any; low temperatures prevent plants from transpiring water rapidly.

Although continuously dry air is fatal to orchids, they are benefited by a drying-out period once each twenty-four hours. In cultivation, this practice follows closely the pattern established by nature. The tropical morning sun quickly dries out orchid foliage before the daily rains appear and the air again becomes humid.

Orchid moisture can be obtained. Open up your orchid cases, windows, and greenhouses; let the air inside dry out for twenty minutes or so. How far you open your ventilating system, and how long, depends in great part on the weather. Low temperatures will shorten or prevent a drying-out period. After drying the air, close, or nearly close, your orchid structures and allow the humidity to build up again gradually. This variation in humidity, from little to much each day, helps to keep orchids working for their food, helps harden their growth. You see. Orchid moisture can be achieved simply by knowing the facts. Orchid Moisture Supplies