Humidity in the Greenhouse
Every plant has special needs. Humidity is vital to the success of a broad selection of plants. Humidity being the amount of moisture that is in the air. Often, when it is humid, gardeners have a more difficult time breathing but ironically, this very stifling of our breath is the ideal condition for some of our favorite varities.

Posted Thursday, April 6, 2006

The amount of moisture in the air is going to affect how plants grow. The purpose of raising humidity in the greenhouse is to moisten leaves, stems and portions of the plants that are a far reach for the roots to carry water. Moisture also keeps leaves shiny, and healthy looking.

Plants that become too dry too fast, when you live in an area that has a low humidity level, will have dry, brittle leaves, and dry roots that will need regular misting. The easiest way to add moisture to a plant is by misting them with a spray bottle when humidity levels are very low.

It is important to remember not to mist plants during the sunniest portions of the day or the sun could burn the plants, counteracting the benefits of the mist. Moisture should have a chance to sit on the plant for at least an hour or two before the high temperatures of the sun settles for the day.

What are some signs of too much humidity? The leaves look droopy. Sometimes if you have too much moisture in the air, fungus and bacteria can start to grow, causing leaves to look hairy. Leaves that are curling up without turning brown have too much water. The moisture from the high humidity levels has already filled the leaves with all they need so they curl to prevent addition absorption.

Plants that have many leaves that are turning black or brown are becoming diseased due to eccessive amounts of moisture. Picking off these leaves and letting the plant dry out is essential to saving the plant's life. How can you tell if you need higher levels of humidity in your greenhouse? When the environment is too dry in the greenhouse, you will notice that your leaves will become shriveled, often curling up before turning brown. You will have no choice but to cut off and trim back this plant. You will have to keep more humidity on the plant if you expect it to continue growing.

If your plant is not getting enough moisture from the air and the environment, the flowers will lose their colors and brightness. The flower buds will wilt without opening. The colors of the leaves will become very dull looking, not shiny at all.