My next experement to master my greenhouse Humidity
have any of you tried to control low humidity in an arid region ?
(see below for my conditions)
I have ordered (with a 30 day satisifaction guarantee)
6253 Charley's Portable Fogger
is a Charley's exclusive item, available only from Charley's Greenhouse Produce cloud-like mist
Imitate the foggy mists of tropical jungles! Your plants will thrive in this super-fine mist that hangs in the air and drifts through the foliage. It is very effective for cooling, as well.
Ruggedly built for long life, the centrifugal fogger is maintenance-free - no nozzles to plug up! Coverage is up to 250 sq. ft. Portable: simply fill the 1-gallon reservoir, or use parts included to connect built-in float valve to garden hose for full-time water supply. For automatic control, add a timer or humidistat.
2 gph out put. Rotate exhaust head to direct for, or remove head for maximum output. Size: 14" diam., 19" H. 5-ft. grounded power cord. 115 volts, 0.9 amps. Micron size is 20 microns, with fogging head it is 10-15 micron.
“I just love my new fog machine. I can testify that it really does do what it says it does. I am 100% thrilled with it. It wasn’t long before it began to make a real difference in the growth of my orchids.”
– Ralph Velez, Westminster, CA
and a 6147 Prewired Humidistat
Automatically controls your humidifier or misting system. Ready to use:
1. Plug humidistat into 120-volt outlet
2. Plug your humidifying equipment into the humidistat
3. Turn the control dial to desired setting.
Range 20% to 80% relative humidity. 6 ft. power cord with series plug included. Use with line voltage. Positive OFF setting. 125 VAC. 6.5 amps.
inside my greenhouse ======
Temp 69 - 61 degrees with two 1500 electric oil heaters running
RH has been 50 - 37 % now with two household humiditifieds running
(total output of .5 GPH)
I basically have 3 types of plants in my greenhouse
1. Bananas - which are dieing one after another
2. Elephant Ears - which are hanging on but not growing
3. Brugmansia - which are doing better than the others and have a few white flys which I am spraying as discussed on other threads
my climate =======
I am in zone 9 - 15 miles east of Sacramento California
for the past month my weather has been as follows
rain 3.7 inches
max wind 38 mph
low temp 25 degrees high temp 85 degrees
Rel Humidity 32-94
currently it is 2 pm and it is 50 degrees with a RH of 38% outside
other sources of advice =====
several sources that warn about excessively low humidity ======
1. "Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners" ISBN 0-935817-51-4
Very dry air can reduce rooting of cuttings and cause leaves to wilt
Where plants are grown in very dry conditions, transpiration from the leaves will be greater than moisture intake by the roots. The growth and vigor of the plants will be reduced.
2. "Ortho's All about greenhouses" isbn978-0-89721-463-6
When Humidity in the Greenhouse stays below 50 percent for long peoiods, plant growth suffers, because leaves lose water faster than they can replace it.
Most plants do well with a relative humidity from 50% to 70 percent, but many tropical plants prefer 80 percent.
3. all references spend considerable time warning as Tigerlilly did of the risks of too much humidity
Low humidity and EE
jim,
I don't even measure humidity in my GH, maybe I should but I don't, we're in the south and it always seems humid. your temps are higher than mine (lucky to stay around 50-55 at night), and my eears are barely hanging on also. It is my understanding that you really need temperatures of 70 or above to get real growth during the winter. The only bananas that haven't made it in my GH died because of too much water. I don't grow brugs so can't help you there.
What are you growing besides what you listed and how large is your GH?
I have a few others to kill
I planned to use these to train myself and then add more plants
my GH is 10 x 12
check it out on my web site at http://www.rader.org/garden/my_garden.htm
OK, if anyone from a drier region disagrees, feel free to chip in. I almost hate to offer an opinion considering our climates are so different, but I think for the size of your GH (mine is 8x8), you could probably achieve what you want in terms of humidity with some pebble trays and misting with a spray bottle. I know guys like to get new toys, and all....lol
I have successfully grown only one hardy brug and from my limited experience they are sooo thirsty. I'm guessing that since they are doing well then your plants have to be pretty well hydrated and the reason the others aren't doing as well could be a little too much humidity/water. I know that is part of the probem with mine combined with lower nighttime temps. Nice GH, wish mine were bigger.
the greenhouse only cost $700 from Harbor freight
the evap cooler $350
the heaters $60 for two
water pipe $60
electrical another $50 for parts
like they say a $3,000 greenhouse for less than $1,000
if you strenghten it where it won't blow away
So, how are your plants looking with misting and regular watering...are they wilted?
the watering has been irregular
the humidity has been between 30% and 50%
with the last week near 50% due to turning off all fans
sealing all vents temperature 60 degrees to 70 degrees
and running household humiditifiers
the EE are looking much better and showing some new growth
but are you misting? I'm baffled. The walls in my GH literally drip most days unless it's really hot....maybe I'm being stubborn here but I think you'd be better off misting and saving your money in case you lose your plants...lol
If you want to check your humidity
go to walmart they have these for $7
Springfield Instruments 91551 Digital Humidity and Temperature Monitor
16.95
Digital Humidity and Temperature Monitor
Dimensions: 2.25"H x 3"W x .625" D
Measures and displays indoor humidity between 20% and 95%
Indoor temperature displayed in degrees F or C
Memory function to recall min./max. temperature and humidity readings
Tabletop easel stand with magnet
LCD Size: .625"H x 1.5"W
my greenhouse is so dry that you can not get wet by touching
the walls are totally dry
If I mist with an ordinart hose connected mister
it will raise the humidity from 30% to 40% if I leave it on for 20 minutes off for an hour
the temp will drop 20 grees from 70 to 50 degrees
two humiditifiers running continuously 24 hours will raise it to 60%
If I seal the GH (all vents closed) and turn off the low speed circulating fan
with 2 1500 watt heaters runnung at high
then there is a slight sign of moisture on the tips of the leaves
everything else is bone dry
My charleys humidifier is supposed to be delivered tomorrow
I have 30 days to try it
I can return it if I am not satisfied
what are your betts?
How many of you think It will improve my plant production ?
I added pictures to my website so you could the difference
Oct 27 vs today http://www.rader.org/garden/GH_humidity.htm
as I look at the pictures it is worse than I thought !!
Charlies Greenhouse Portable fogger arrived today
It is a very solid impressive unit !!
I plugged the model 6147 Humidistat into the wall socket and set it on the table
next to my plants
I then connected the water to the faucet, It filled quickly and shut off
I plugged the electrical cord from the Humidifier into the Humidistat
and turned the control knob from off, The humidifier came on at 60%
It really puts out considerable vapor, you would not want it without the humidistat because it really blows the vapor out with it's atomizing screen !
It is cloudy and 50my $7 thermometers indicate at 1:10 pm
north end of table 68 degrees and 55% humidity
south end of table 68 degrees and 58% humidity
after one hour of operation
all fans are still off,
the munidifier, has cycled many times, dial at 60%
my $7 thermometers indicate at 2:20 pm
north end of table 64 degrees and 73% humidity
south end of table 68 degrees and 80% humidity
Outside
cloudy, 50 degrees and 82%
There is still no sign of wetness in the greenhouse !!
---------
The assembly only consisted of pushing the provided 1/4" tubing
into the garden hose adapter and the unit's overflow valve
charlies source [HYPERLINK@www.faran.co.kr]
it is labeled HR50 "made in Korea" Humidifier
the Humidistat states that "Typically 40% - 50% is a normal setting,
depending on owner's preference and plant requirements
hope it works out for you
The 6253 Charley's Portable Fogger $440.00 with the 6147 Prewired Humidistat from Charlies Greenhouse really makes a difference
using the LaCrosse wireless Data Recorder I get the results (see graph attached) every 5 minutes it takes a reading.
I have two of the $7 high/low high low therm/humidity which I validate the LaCrosse
the left half is the day befor installation
the right half is after
the weather outside is the same 30-50 degrees heavy clouds
