UP UP humidity - The $2 set up

 I was eyeballing a $200 fancy humidifier with automatic humidity control on amazon. Just before I decided to purchase, a Canadian customer’s comment saved my wallet. Basically, the customer who happened to live in similar heating home like I do complained that the expensive machine failed to reach its basic function – increasing indoor humidity. Apparently, the US-designed model is weak in combating the 24 hour nonstoppable heated air that is so commonly seen in a winter Canadian home. It is hard to imagine such an expensive purchase may fail to serve the very basic purpose, but it can be. I archived the fancy humidifier’s page and went straight to nearby dollar store.

Let’s get our purpose clear first. What do I really need? Well, I need a set up that can reliable maintain a 60%-70% humidity level around my plants, so that they are not stressing under the winter heating.

What I DO NOT need? I do not need the entire home’s humidity level maintained at 60% or more, which leads to mold. I already own two table humidifiers that are handy in boosting humidity right beside my bed or working desk, and I am satisfied with them, so I probably do not need more.

With all these in mind, I end up buying a batch of plastic plates for $2. Yes you hear it right, I went down from $200 to $2.

My set up is easy. I called it “Double saucer” method. Basically, I use the plastic plate as the humidity tray, and place another small tray/cap/anything to elevate the plant from the waterline onto the humidity tray. Put your plant over the small tray, and you are done.

Except for crazy cold days when my central heater is roaring, I do not need to add water to the plastic tray often. Everytime I water, the excessive just run to it. When the tray is dry, it is usually time to water again.

This method works well for my small pots. For those bigger pots, I arrange them on a 3-tier plant shelf and place some bigger plastic plates underneath. I have experienmented with adding pebbles. It does not make a significant difference, but add on cost to purchase pebbles. A pebble tray is also trickey to clean, so I end up using plain plastic tray without pebbles.

To prevent insect from laying egges in the sitting water, add a few drops of insecticide into the tray. As I spray my plants regularly, the excessive drops fall onto the tray and do the job automatically.

Woola, here it is! The cheap set up that works.