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I created a cloud forest grow tent with cool temps so I can grow INT-COOL growers. It has a humidifier, frequent air movement from fans, frequent ventilation, and cool air supply intermittently.
There are a lot of plants hanging all over the walls of the tent (in pots and mounted) and so I installed a misting system. It's not as effective and controllable as I'd hoped but it does reduce the need for me to manually water the smaller plants too frequently.
I got Phragmipedium besseae and have it potted on the bottom of the tent. The misting system turns on once per day for about 20 seconds. The water will land on the Phrag and may collect in the crevices of the leaf growth. The air flow is good and it might dry out but I don't know how fast and I can't guarantee the drying out / air flow will always reach the inner crevices of the growth tips so there could be some persistent water.
Is this going to be a problem for that species? I know it likes to grow wet, but I also know in nature it probably gets most water at the roots from seepages. I'm not sure how often that species gets top watered by rain in its natural habitat. I'm worried with frequent water in the growing tips between the leaves, it could rot. But I also know there are some cloud forest and wet growing orchids which wouldn't care in the least about something like that.
Thanks for any help
The issue that I first think of is, will the Phrag get enough liquid water down to the roots? I am not sure 20 seconds misting is enough. Once you know that the plant is getting sufficient water, you can start worrying about the excess water trapped on and between the leaves.