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What are the best humidity containers

Many factors affect the humidity level inside houses. During the winter months, heating systems reduce natural humidity. Warm summer temperatures also dispel most moisture. The humidity levels in your home can be gauged by a hygrometer, an instrument that measures moisture present in the air. Inexpensive hygrometers are usually available in hardware stores. Several methods allow you to increase humidity for your plants: misting, utilizing humidity trays, grouping compatible plants, placing plants in naturally humid areas. These methods, used either individually or in combination, should benefit your bonsai tree and other house plants.

Daily misting is an easy, inexpensive method of creating a humid atmosphere for your tropical plants. Opinions vary among indoor gardeners on the value of misting plants daily, misting is popular among many orchid and fern lovers; other gardeners mist only occasionally or not at all. Besides creating humidity, misting has the added advantage of cleaning foliage and discouraging pests.

Misting should create a fine spray of moisture that surrounds your plant and covers both sides of its leaves. Like watering, misting should be done in the morning so the moisture will have time to evaporate. It's best to let water sit in the mister overnight. Misting does not replace regular watering since the plant absorbs very little of the spray. If your plant is situated where the spray might damage furniture or other interior surfaces, move the plant to a safe area for misting.

Some hairy-leafed plants, such as African violets, dislike being misted. Water drops on the leaves may cause spotting, especially if the water is below room temperature. Plastic and metal misters are available in most nurseries or indoor plant stores. Be sure your mister sprays a fine mist; the plant leaves should look as if a light dew has settled on them, not be dripping wet.

Humidity trays provide for constant water evaporation around bonsai tree, there is more information on bonsai tree care on this page. Waterproof trays, large enough to hold one plant or several, are filled with small rocks or pebbles. Add enough water to the tray so the water level remains just below the top of the rocks. The planted container rests on the rocks, preventing it from ever sitting in water (roots that sit constantly in water may rot). This tray will also catch any runoff created during regular watering. Trays should be constructed of waterproof materials, such as metal, plastic, nonabsorbent rubber, or glazed ceramic. Clay saucers absorb and hold moisture that could damage tables, rugs, or other interior surfaces.

Some indoor gardeners create a buffer between their humidity trays and floor or furniture surfaces. This prevents any damage caused by condensation. Raising the tray a few inches from the surface forms an air layer to absorb any extra moisture.

This water vapor creates humidity around each transpiring plant. Grouping plants together lets them share the created humidity. Besides creating humidity for each other, a group of plants is always more interesting visually than the single parlor palm standing forlornly in a corner.

Naturally humid areas in most homes are the kitchen and the bathroom. The normal activities performed in these rooms, such as dishwashing, boiling water, or taking hot showers, create moisture in the air and frequently raise the humidity level. Moisture-loving plants will thrive in these rooms if their other requirements, such as light and temperature, can also be met.