Orchids are a very beautiful plant for the home, but can also be fairly difficult to keep alive.
Orchids cannot survive if there is water pooled in their pot and are likely to get root rot in certain conditions.
One way to make sure that an orchid has the right amount of moisture content is to use an orchid humidity tray.
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How To Make An Orchid Humidity Tray
Typically, in a homemade orchid tray, a short pan is used and filled with pebbles. Then water is added to about 3/4 of the height of the pebbles. The pot with the orchid inside is then placed on top of the humidity tray. This increases humidity around the orchid, and it absorbs moisture through its roots.
How To Make A DIY Orchid Humidity Tray
There are various ways to make a humidity tray. By far, the easiest way to make a humidity tray would be to buy an ice cube tray and re-purpose it.
There are some ice cube trays that lay similarly to humidity trays that can be found online and are cheaper.
Another option that I noticed is fairly easy is re-purposing an old cookie sheet or baking sheet that isn’t being put to use.
As long as the pan has sides that are lifted enough to hold liquid, it can be used for a humidifier tray.
Pebbles, or some kind of rocks, are the next thing needed for the tray. These rocks keep the flowerpot suspended over the water.
Speaking of water, there needs to be enough water but making sure to avoid covering the pebbles. The pot shouldn’t be in contact with the water at all.
Choosing the right kind of pebbles is important for the humidity tray.
Any and every rock will not work. Some can absorb too much water and prevent the orchid from taking in the evaporated water that they need.
Bonsai gravel, pea gravel, polished river rocks, or even glass gems work really well for a humidity tray.
The rocks are mostly used to hold up the pot and allow the plant to absorb the water, so it doesn’t matter too much what is actually used.
The water will need to be replenished. Adding water to the humidity tray is needed daily in my experience.
After a week or two, it is important to clean the humidity tray by rinsing the tray, the rocks, and replacing the water completely.
Orchid Watering Tips
I usually check on my orchids daily, making sure they don’t dry out, and only water them weekly.
Orchids can be very difficult to take care of. One thing that I make sure to keep an eye on is the amount of moisture in the surrounding air.
Orchids tend to do really well in the bathroom, where it is usually humid due to hot showers steaming the room.
Because they thrive in tropical climates, it is important to keep them in areas with 40-70% humidity.
I originally thought that watering them more would help my orchids to thrive. Instead, I was overwatering them, and they would either drown and die or suffer from root rot.
In my experience, root rot can sometimes be avoided in the early stages by airing out the roots and letting them dry out to start back over.
How To Keep My Orchids From Drying Out Completely
There are a few different options.
I have a humidifier in my bedroom to help with my allergies and the symptoms that come with having allergies.
I initially tried moving my humidifier to be closer to my plants and decided that it is easier to figure out something that didn’t require my humidifier to run constantly.
Moving the orchid to the bathroom was another option that I discovered, but my bathroom was not large enough to house a plant.
I eventually did some research and learned more about humidity trays. Though they aren’t all super expensive, it was a lot easier for me to make my own from stuff that I had around my home.
These humidity trays plus the good placement of my orchids have kept them thriving.
My orchids are now in an area fairly close to each other and close to other plants as well.
Keeping all of my plants together, versus spacing them out, has helped to keep them from getting dry too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make An Orchid Humidity Tray
Will I still need to water my orchid?
Though you already have a humidity tray, you still need to water your orchid. The humidity tray simply adds another level of hydration for the plant. Orchids tend to need watering weekly. Testing the soil is important to know how often watering is necessary for each orchid.
Do I need a humidity tray to keep my orchid alive?
Not necessarily, but it helps out a lot. Orchids die fairly easily due to root rot and overwatering. By scaling back watering and adding a humidity tray, an orchid can be a lot better to manage.
Should I keep misting my orchid if I use a humidity tray?
Continuing to mist an orchid won’t hurt. It is important to make sure the leaves aren’t drenched. If the leaves are too wet, wiping them off helps to keep the plant from absorbing too much water.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options to keep an orchid surrounded by the right amount of humidity, but my favorite way is with a humidity tray.
It is a great way to give an orchid additional moisture and helps save money if the right materials are at home.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.