Misting is not appropriate for most plants. It only raises humidity momentarily, and it increases the likelihood of fungal problems. The only plants in my collection that get misted are those which absorb water from their foliage rather than their roots (mosses and Tillandsias in my case). I would avoid misting and use a humidifier if you really need the boost.

I rather suspect (Geeks and nerds call this a WAG.) that "mist frequently" is a copy/paste -- (Perhaps a literal copy/paste or a metaphorical copy/paste.) -- from old literature written for professionals like greenhouse managers and the like.

Have you been to the super market when the misting comes on in the produce department? That is probably what the "mist frequently" is referencing.

Diana,

When I recommend misting, I do so when there are cuttings, which have no roots, and therefore shouldn't be watered, but should get some moisture while developing roots.

Albert,

Geeks and nerds use WAG (wild-arsed guess)? Well, although I didn't know that it had this rather limiting qualification, I guess I'm one, then.

Jeff the Wag

LOL Jeff!!!!

I always mist my cuttings.....never anything else. Been a plant nut since 1972.

Unless you mist every 5-10 minutes 24/7 it does nothing. For humidity use a humidifier. A small one would probably do. I use a 2 gallon one when I need to increase humidity.

Or a pebble tray which is an under saucer or small dish filled w/ pebbles, on top of which one seats the plant. When one then waters to overflow, the overflow spills into the under saucer & allows the plant more ambient humidity. By having the plant ON TOP OF the water, not in it, it helps the humidity w/out risking root rot.

I do this for my tropicals, CCs, and Hoyas & it's quite helpful.

I too use a tray and a humidifyer..

My cuttings put out roots in the air, sitting on tables not even close to soil..lol

Great info here!

Mike

Actually the idea of "humidity" trays raising humidity is also a myth. Water vapor diffuses into the surrounding air too quickly to create any localized humidity. The tray would have to raise the humidity of the entire room/house before the plant would benefit. Since a tray is far too small for this, it's of no real use in raising humidity. You can easily test this with a hygrometer. The trays can still be useful for catching drips, though.

Blanaid,

By the way, your question was not even close to silly. It was a real good one..Thanks for asking for those that might of been wondering the same you, as I once did myslef..

Have a great weekend!

Mike

Yeah...REALLY a good question. I'm considered the 'plant guru' (ha ha) as far as my neighbors are concerned, who are renting a house next door with a great front sunporch (east/northeast). They've copied me with loving plants (indoors & out) and bought many different houseplants to fill it up -- all with different requirements (i.e., cacti, tropical, etc.)

But due to all my 'plant info' input (that I don't necessarily follow myself) they've now bought a humidifier plus a heater to keep it warm at nite (not my recommendations) in below freezing (not much below - like never below 25) temps.

Didn't give much thought to this "totally different" environment they've created for THEIR plants versus the one I have for my 'love you today, forgot you for a few days' houseplants that they admire so much (sometimes less is better, I've found) until I read this post !!!!!

Are they going to create problems due to 'over loving them'???? With the humidifier and heater and all???

I don't want to be the one telling them how to grow their plants and then have them all get disease, etc. I mean, I'm so non-chalant with mine, yet have given them the 'book' info on their plants...i.e., mist them, etc. which is why they bought the humidifier.

Does MY question make any sense? Guess I'm asking are they doing an 'over-kill' thing with all the extras? I only ask since as I said, I don't do much for mine but find them a good window or good light, talk to them every day and periodically water them as needed., Yet my friends are trusting my advice.

PS - the previous owner of the house (sunporch) plus my BF the past winter used the sunporch just as it was. Nothing special. Things grew great! He even had green peppers grow all year long !! So I don't want them to be overdoing it and blame me (even tho I didn't TELL them to buy the humidifier. I just said they should mist the one palm they had).

HELP!!

Bonnie aka brit5467