Air movement/ventilation

[janice]

I added an oscillating fan to my orchid area because the air movement is so minimal inside during the winter. I know most orchids don't like drafts/near vents etc. Is there any guidelines on positioning the fan - ie. distance or if the air movement hits the orchids??? I have a real problem with the humidity and use humidity trays - the air movement has definitly helped the orchids but I may have to add a humidifier at some point.

[kmarch]

I use a 40cm oscillating fan and 3 12cm mini-fans on my paphs. The oscillating fan is about a meter away from my stands and slightly angled up.

The effect of all the fans is that of a gentle spring breeze, not drafty. I use the lowest or the middle setting on the oscillating fan depending on how hot it is.

[articuno75]

Same here. I have an oscillating fan on my orchids as well. It helps move the warmth around the house plus provides the necessary air movement that the plants need. My house is dry as a bone. I use water in bowls with stones, misting and whatever I can for humidity. I have a cool mist humidifer, but I'm probably going to have to buy a warm mist humidifier.

[jerrymeola]

the problem with vents is the difference in temperature dehydrates the plants. Just a fan will have minimal effect.

you could place a pan of water in front of the fan and get the effect of a humidifier.

In commercial greenhouses we use fans to pull air through a corrugated panel that has water running over it. It is called a swamp cooler and cost about $1000 per 3x10 feet. It can lower temperatures outdoors an average 10 degrees.

[janice]

Thanks, I might add the pan of water in front of the pan since almost all my orchids in our bedroom which has a south window....................I hope my husband doesnt' step in it (Ha!) I really can tell a difference though since I just added the fan.

[jay]

Since you are growing some of your plants in S/H air movement is almost more important than without because of the constant water available.

I have an oscillating fan that also has a weird day/night setting that increases and decreases the speed to simulate "natural" wind variations. This was a fan that I picked up at Walmart.

My fan is about 12 feet away from my orchids. I turn it up until I see some movement in the leaves of my Oncidiums.

Jay

[BlakeeBoo]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

the problem with vents is the difference in temperature dehydrates the plants. Just a fan will have minimal effect.

you could place a pan of water in front of the fan and get the effect of a humidifier.

Air movement is actually good for flower spike developement and will get rid of the need for a support deppending on the orchid but make sure the fan is ocolating your are going to get a very wierd looking flower!

[kmarch]

Thanks for this reminder, BlakeeBoo, I had forgotten that breeze helps to promote strong inflorescences. I now remember learning that way back when I was a newbie.

Just one more reason to give our orchids good air circulation.

[PhalPal]

I have a tower fan (oscillating) about 20" tall and it is placed a foot away from my light set-up. All my orchids are on a humidity tray under the lights. (T5's) I learned from a very good grower out here to cause as big a breeze as possible. I don't have a problem with crowns staying wet and have never experienced fungus or bacterial infections.

[janice]

I purchased a humidifier today.......................even with water trays and the fan I am having trouble keeping the humidity above 40 - will I need both the fan and humidifier?? If I do it is okay, just wondering?? The fan did seem to put a smile on my orchids faces....I really think I could see a difference and I too have experience with wet crowns and some rot.

[articuno75]

Orchids like that gentle "breeze". Now Phals on the other hand if they are in bloom or in bud, being the finicky boogers that they are, can blast even with the slightest draft. The moisture from the humidifier and the breeze will mimic those "breezy" tropical days for these babies. They'll like it.

[BlakeeBoo]

Originally Posted by janice

I purchased a humidifier today.......................even with water trays and the fan I am having trouble keeping the humidity above 40 - will I need both the fan and humidifier?? If I do it is okay, just wondering?? The fan did seem to put a smile on my orchids faces....I really think I could see a difference and I too have experience with wet crowns and some rot.

Simple answer:yes

[PhalPal]

Janice I have a fan and humidifier blowing on my phals 16 hours a day and they love it. Everybody sits on humidity trays as well and I have a hard time keeping humidity at 50% even tho our house heater hasn't been on once this winter. I have never had crown rot, fungus, bacterial problems or blasted buds. This plan works well for me, but I start with very dry air and it only gets worse in summer.

[Nancy]

We are trying to reserve heat in the orchid room without raising the heat in the whole house. We are using a small space heater. It is aimed away from the plants toward a fan. The fan carries the heat to the plants but disperses it better so that no plant gets overly heated. We use a number of fans in the plant room. It seems to take a lot of planning to make a gentle buoyant atmosphere!

[BlakeeBoo]

I use the mats meant to start seed germination in other plants and my orchids love it and it keeps the humidity up.