Misting Leaves ?

[digimom]

OK quick question - I read that when Dens are blooming it is good idea to mist leaves once every morning, when my Mom gave me my Phals she was told never to get leaves wet ...does this include misting or is it ok to mist leaves of Phal ?? I also read when watering if any water gets on leaves to mop up with a cotton ball - so just don't want do to any harm. Thank you all for your kindness and patience with all of us new growers

[Brutal_Dreamer]

The main thing is to not let water set in the crown of a phal. As long as that doesn't happen, you can dunk your orchids in water if you want. Water sitting in the crown will cause it to rot and eventually kill or damage your phal. Sunlight and water on the leaves are also a concern, but as your orchids should not get direct sunlight, that should not matter either. If direct sun shines on a plant with water on its leaves, the leaf will most likely burn.

I hope this answers you question.

Cheers,
BD

[clintdawley]

Misting is a great orchid myth, in my opinion...

It leads to more problems than it cures. Just make sure your ambient humidity is sufficient and your watering is on par with the orchid and things will work out nicely.

[Ron-NY]

Misting is a great orchid myth, in my opinion...

It leads to more problems than it cures. Just make sure your ambient humidity is sufficient and your watering is on par with the orchid and things will work out nicely.

I totally agree except for mounted plants or plants in a dry winter rest that would get morning dew in their natural environment.

[Diane]

Okay - I'l disagree. I mist almost every day. I used a hand pump air pressure sprayer that puts out a very fine mist and use lightly. I definitely see an increase in humidity in the area, which is a big plus for me!

[Ron-NY]

Okay - I'l disagree. I mist almost every day. I used a hand pump air pressure sprayer that puts out a very fine mist and use lightly. I definitely see an increase in humidity in the area, which is a big plus for me!

Diane, how long does the increase in humidity last for you??

I used to grow in my home and when the central heating was on, in the winter, trying to keep the humidity was totally impossible with misting and humidity trays. I then started to run a very large humidifier that would add 3 gallons of water a day to my sun room and still I couldn't get the humidity in my grow area above 40%.

Thank goodness that I now have access to a greenhouse. I can now grow things that I couldn't even dream of before.

[Diane]

Ron,

I have a 3 gal/day humidifier that keeps it at about 39 - 45%. With twice daily misting and humidity trays in a couple places I can keep it at least at 50%. My mister puts out a mist almost a fine as the humidifier, and I spray the whole area, not just the plants.

[Shannara]

I mist daily all my mounted orchids, but I make sure to do it early to allow the foliage time to dry out. Also, in recent months I started applying all my fertilizer via misting once a week and I have seen the most amazing plant growth on my orchids. Some that seemed almost frozen in time are now shooting out numerous sections of new growth. So far the misting has worked for me.

Shann~

[clintdawley]

I do agree with Ron on the mounties...I never considered that considering I only have a couple of mounted plants that I dunk in a bucket on an almost daily basis.

[salvador1970]

I usully only mist my Oncidiums and Cymbidium. For Phals, I try not to except lately, since humidity has dropped drastically I started misting my Phals. Also It is nearly 27 degrees Centigrate (80 Farhenhite)inside my house. It has been very hot lately in Jerusalem so anything will dry up quickly, especially with the lower humidity inside my house (35-40). Its a bit better today actually. I have been also watering more frequently now.
Tonight it has finally cooled down and outside humidity is around 80% as compared to2o%. I really hope it stays like that!