I don't mist, though it's more from laziness than because I think it's harmful. (I'm not convinced that it's hugely beneficial either. I guess I'm a misting agnostic.)

I do have a lot of plants that are pretty closely grouped together, though, so they all kind of keep one another's humidity levels up.

Part of the reason I mist is for my benefit. Plants need careful neglect to prevent over watering, over pruning, etc. Misting it gives me a chance to look it over without harming it.

Here we go again, lol. You will have people who mist, and other who don't. I don't. Misting is good for leaf cleaning, other than that, it dries way too fast to do much good. The water would need to hang in the air to get true higher humidity, not evaporate.

You would have to mist all day long practically to keep the humidity on a high level, but then you risk getting mold problems on the plant and/or on the soil.
Many houseplants will adjust very well to low humidity (other types of houseplants only do well in greenhouses, terrariums or atrium's because they NEED that constant high humidity to survive) Others just don't.

Water and feed them correctly, give the right pot size and light, always ck for pest now and then and keep their leaves clean and you will see very happy plants, without misting.

Billy Rae

Misting is a big waste of time unless you want mildew on the soil surface. Put your pots on stones in wide trays of water that never touches the pot bottoms. The evaporation (off all surfaces of the stones) will do a much better job. BTW, Mr. Sub... can't you look over your plants without misting them :-)?

As a former compulsive mister, I have to agree with those who say it doesn't do much, and unless you enjoy the company of fungus gnats, it is pointless. I admit to still spritzing cuttings once or twice a day though!

Misting your cuttings is allowed, ines! ;-) Even I, knowing that misting is not beneficial for growing plants, do that! Sometimes.

But I do understand that nurturers enjoy those moments that they spend misting their plants. It's a way of bonding, I guess. But the plant benefits are pretty much non-existent.

Here we go again is right..LOL..
I mist religiously and can honestly say, my plants do NOT attract insects from spraying..In fact, last winter when there were problems here at home, I stopped spraying..and I swear, I noticed a huge difference. Plus, some plants got mites, the same plants that were in a back, cool room for yrs, that didn't have bug problems in the past.
I admit, misting will never create a greenhouse effect, but if a house is semi-humid to begin with, it makes a difference..for instance, some plants, such as my colocasia, stays humid most of the day after misting..I've seen dew drops on leaves..when I stopped misting last winter, this didn't happen.
Also, spraying removes dust. Though I also admit by doing so, plants will never leave foliage glowing like it would with leaf shine (which I don't use.) Of course, it's best taking plants to sink/shower, but when one has over 100 plants, this is very time-consuming.
Also, by spraying, especially when done thoroughly, it gives us time to inspect leaves for insects/problems.
I am not trying to talk anyone into misting..we do what works best for us. And yes, Rhizo, it is sort of a bonding between plant and plantee..(S)
Of course misting isn't the only way to inspect plants..

Mr. James Crockett, from Victory Gardens, advises spraying around plants, so water isn't making contact on leaves..
The only plants I don't mist are AV's and other fuzzy leaf plants..though I do spray around them like Crockett states.
Watering trays and humidifers are also great tools for adding humidity. Heck, I even keep little cups filled w/water hiding behind plants in winter. When dh is away at work, I sometimes boil water so steam really clouds up house..LOL..
Hygrometers are also good to have..If you guys have a room filled w/plants, check hygrometer for percentage of humidity..then spray, recheck.
There were times my humidity was down to 5% which is awful for tropicals..so I do everything I can to increase it..

Once again, I'm not trying to talk anyone into doing something they don't want to do..But it works for me, and as long as my legs hold me up, I'll continue misting.

One more thing..misting is also useful for seedlings and cuttings..Toni

Lucy: I don't believe Mr. Sub made that comment.

Misting is a personal preference and I prefer to mist my plants. I'm not trying to sway anyone else to mist their plants but for me, I do see the difference.

Susan

Oh you're absolutely right! Many apologies, though I really was making a joke if you'll notice my pathetic :-).

Susan and Lucy..like I said, we do what's best for our plants..if we feel misting is the answer, then we mist, if not, then we don't..It's like the hormone Superthrive..some ppl call it snake oil..well, if they feel this strongly, then by God, don't buy it..I notice a big difference when using it, so I'll continue buying it..It's just a matter of opinion..
Maybe it's me but in winter when days drag on and house is like a desert, I find misting relaxing..gives me something to do..and I truly believe plants appreciate it. But like Susan said, I'm not trying to sway ppl into doing something they don't want to do..Peace and Love, Toni (S)

It would be a shame to let a good feisty thread just die, wouldn't it? ;-))) I love opposing opinions because that's the way we learn the most.

I'm a mister. Okay, I'm a Ms. But I do mist. Did anybody mention misting as foliar feeding? I use Worm Poop (odorless and colorless), a weak liquid kelp/water solution (I read somewhere it's slightly anti-fungal) OR a new one I'm trying.... UltraGrowth (I think that's more of a hormone thing like superthrive). I never mist with plain water or synthetic plant food or for the purpose of raising humidity. If I need to do that, I use humidity trays or a small humidifier.

I mist my orchids and various other plants that are out on a porch a few times a day with one of the above mentioned solutions. Plants that are in the house get misted much less and according to plant type. For example Streptocarpus (which I collect) are easy targets for fungus in my experience so I seldom mist them and when I do it's only in the morning when the leaves will dry quickly and never if the room they are in is cool or damp. I mist African Violets occasionally, not often, because they are growing in a sterile medium and watered with liquid plantfood thru wicks, thus receiving a continuous supply of food. Large foliage plants maybe once every couple of weeks if I get to it, orchids in the house get it every couple days. (By the way, I'm pretty sure that orchids do take in a lot of nutrients thru their leaves due to the nature of the beast).

One thing that always annoys me is a hard and fast rule. You know, that kind that's meant to be broken? My plants and I are pretty close and if I pay attention and watch carefully they usually do tell me what they are wanting or what they are not liking.

Well that's just what I do personally and what works for me. And I don't kill all that many plants... ;-))))

So is anyone's opinion different on misting as foliar feeding as opposed to misting for humidty?

Chris

I'm somewhere in the middle. I don't claim that misting raises humidity or keeps it high but I don't put food in the mist either. I mist with plain water to temporarily raise humidity (even if it's only a matter of minutes) and to let the leaf get a chance to absorb water if it wants more than the roots have wicked up.

I guess the biggest question to anyone who thinks not to mist is whether or not it's harmful in their eyes. A waste of time is fine if we enjoy it. Heck some people spend their entire life looking for a rare coin or stamp so misting is a fairly innocuous way to pass some time.

I just read this post today, and I was thinking about foliar feeding while reading it. So good point, Chris.

I can't really comment on the benefits of misting with plain water for humidity reasons (and insect prevention). But I can say that I have definitely seen a difference in my plants since I started foliar feeding with Eleanor's VF-11. HOWEVER, it's really hard to say that foliar feeding is the reason for a big increase in plant growth, because I started using Eleanor's as a fertilizer at the same time. So I will just continue doing it because I haven't seen any harm done. I have read here that foliar feeding really does help, especially when done on the underside of leaves.

I just bought GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) to add to my mister bottle (along with Eleanor's) as a way to prevent bugs. So that may be another benefit to misting...if you want to use something to prevent insects. I've been having problems with mealies lately, and even though I've done the rubbing alcohol spray, it just doesn't seem to stop those darned mealies from going onto new growth. I hope the GSE works!

Gabi

Gabi, the grapefruit extract sounds like a great product. When I make my 'home made' bug concoction, I add citrus rind and garlic to the water..I believe the citrus scent keeps bugs at bay.
As for other sprays, in fall I spray ALL plants w/Fish Emuslion..actually started this when a woman who owns a citrus nursery told me they use it as a preventative to scale..and kills them..I ordered an olive tree, that after a few wks did I notice the plant was scale infested..I tried alcohol, but it didnt work..that's when I remembered the FE..it worked like a charm. Then I thought FE would work as a last foliar feeding in autumn..I use other types of fertilizers throughout growing season.
I've heard Eleanor's works great..So far I've heard nothing but positive feedback regarding this stuff..I don't know where you buy yours, but the one site I found was a little beyond my budget..so I'll wait and see if the price drops a bit..Toni

your weren't kidding Gabi, you really do sound like a spokesperson for that Eleanors!

Toni, I didn't mean in my last post that I thought misting attracts bugs, just that I have more fungus gnats because misting keeps the soil surface damp and that is what they (the gnats) love. I am home alot so it seems like everytime I walk by a group of plants, I grab that mister bottle! I am trying to not do it so much now, but it isn't easy. And it is a "bonding" thing with the plants, I enjoy anything that lets me spend more time with them.

If you recommend fish emulsion to somebody be sure to make them aware that the smell is not too pleasant. You would think a person would figure that, but I told a friend to use it and she was quite annoyed with me because it stunk up her house. I said, who cares as long as your plants are happy! ;-) Works wonders for greening up a yellowing plant when used as root food to.

I hadn't heard of Eleanor's so I did a search and the first site that came up was vf-11plantfood.com. There is an offer apparently by Eleanor herself to send you a trial 8 oz bottle (makes 8 gal) for the cost of shipping ($3).

Seems like there is a lot more awareness lately that plants need more than just the basic 3 to really thrive.

NEEM is also a good product to spray to prevent fungus and insects as well. It's completely non-toxic and you can get it just about anywhere now...Lowe's carries it. If I have a problem I usually use the NEEM as a base then add other chemicals according to what the problem is and how bad it is.

ines.... do you feel misting could be the new fad addiction? :-0 Scary! ;-)))))

Chris

Ines...sounds like someone has to 'stay away from the bottle.' LOL...
The way I see it, too much of anything is a no-no..eg, overwatering, overfeeding..overmisting..(S)
I don't mist soil, just foliage..therefore, soil shouldn't get wet from spraying..
How often do you water?

Chris, you're right I should mention FE has an odor..but they now sell odorless. Don't know how it smells, never tried it..
What did your friend say after you said what difference does it make? lol...is she still angry? And, how are her plants doing? Toni

Toni,

Yes, I read up on GSE here, and it sounded really great. Your homemade concoction is a MUCH cheaper way to do it...I wish I had the patience to make that. As for buying Eleanor's, I mentioned in a recent post (can't remember if it was here or on the hoya forum...or both!) that I get mine at Reed's Greenhouse (online) for 7.99 for 16oz, and they throw in a second 8oz bottle for free. Maybe that's more reasonable than what you've seen? As for the fish emulsion, I smelled that stuff at a nursery and WOW, what a smell! I would think it would keep anything and everything away!

Gabi

Hopefulauthor I got a bottle of Alaskan fish fertilizer @Wal-mart.It says right on the front"All purpose DEODORIZED fish emulsion"I diluted it according to the instructions,but let me tell ya'll it is pungent to say the least.I use it sparingly, my sans love it!Maybe if I look some more I can find the oderless kind.

Just imagine what it smelled like BEFORE they deoderized it!!! LOL

ps. The smell doesn't hang around long. Maybe a day or 2 if you use it as root food, not foliar food. It's a great nitrogen boost and can't burn your plants.

Gabi, thanks, I'll check out Reed's Greenhouse..Yes, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the price it was listed at another place..Thank you..you're right, maybe the smell keeps everything away..LOL..

Christian, yep, it's strong smelling, but either we get used to it or the odor dissapates. But it does the job, mainly, ridding scale..believe me, I'd rather smell a fishy odor a day or two, then deal w/scale for months on end.(S) Toni

Hi! First Post:D--As an experiment in helping both to keep the humdity up a bit and to prevent gnats in the soil I went into the woods behind the house and gathered up some moss (there are 4 kind here--1 stands up an inch, one grows lower, 1 looks like miniature ferns, and 1 looks like a round 2-4' diameter bluish sponge). I've tucked it around all my plants as a soil cover, the idea being that it will prevent the slow the evqaporation of the mist and prolong the raising of the humidity, while denying the gnats easy access to the soil.

Anyone else ever try this? Any thoughts?

I mist, so shoot me. I have to because if I didn't my plants would be crispy. humidity trays just attract algae and stagnant water, unless it's changed daily, then you may as well be misting anyway. I do use a hose attached mister though since my plants are out in the shade, I can just turn on the mister during the heat of the day and the temp drops about 20* around my plants. As long as they are in well draining soil without peat, I don't have fungus gnats. My shade house resident frog helps with any other bugs on my plants. The trick is not to use anything with peat in it or else you will get gnats no matter how hard you try to get rid of them. That means washing roots and repotting as soon as a plant comes home with me.

Gabi,
I use VF-11 as a foliar feed only, and her claims that foliar works better are correct, I just put a capful in a 32 oz bottle and spray away. I've seen more growth from just the foliar spray than watering with VF-11, especially on my hoyas and epiphyllums. I'd recommend it to anyone who can get a hold of it.
Charley's Greenhouse sells it also, but I'm lucky it goes on sale about twice a month for about $4 at a local pharmacy, I stock up on it whenever it's on sale. Once I got a half gallon for $4!

Those of you that use VF-11 as foliar feed, do you do it year round? I am asking because I'm probably going to buy some soon. I'm curious to know how often you all use it.

Mentha, you're so lucky. I spoke to Eleanor this morning, and she said that she doesn't have any distributors in SE Michigan.

Isn't it funny how so many of us have spoken to Eleanor personally? Do you all remember that psychic who used to come on television named Miss Cleo? People used to tell me me that when they called, whoever answered the phone would claim to be Miss Cleo. It could be someone obviously older, younger, of a different race or accent than the Miss Cleo on the infomercial, but they would still say, "Hello. This is Miss Cleo.". What if there are 50 operators at Eleanor's all claiming to be Eleanor?? lol

amany,
Miss Cleo still had commercials on at about 2 or 3 in the morning, lol. She must be rich now, with all those people wanting psychic intervention. I wonder how many people realize it's a script, they're taught to respond certain ways to certain questions.
My aunt used to be a "Faith Healer." She knows all sorts of quack psychics, none of them are real.

I do know that Eleanor does answer her own phone. She's a very amiable person to talk to.

When you foliar feed don't you worry about waste and mess? That's why I only mist with distilled water, it won't get on anything.

Is there an easy way of knowing what plants appreciate foliar feeding and what don't. Specifically will succulents allow it like sansevieria.

You can foliar feed anything without fuzz. AV's come to mind. i would be careful with sans, they tend to get ridges if forced to grow, they would be good candidates for 1/4 strength foliar feed.

I use 1/2 - 1/4 strength every week, it really helps and it takes less fert to get all your plants.