Luftbefeuchter in Gewächshaus und Wintergarten

« Better air for people and plants »

The right humidity is important for many plants to thrive. The ideal humidity level for plants is sometimes higher than that for people. That is why a humidifier in the greenhouse can make an important contribution to ensuring that plants develop a wonderful display of flowers. Humidity levels are not only important in the greenhouse, but also in a conservatory. Here, however, you should not only consider the well-being of the plants, but also that of the people.

Optimal humidity for plants? Sometimes quite high!

People generally feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent. This is why this value is recommended for most living spaces and offices. Many plants also cope well with a humidity in this range. This even applies to cacti, for which 40 to 50 percent relative humidity is recommended. Other plants also cope well with a higher humidity than the optimal level for people. Oleander and hibiscus, for example, feel most comfortable at 60 to 70 percent.

Other plants need even more. For some tropical orchid species, values ​​of up to around 85 percent are optimal. The optimal values ​​for humans are definitely too low. For these orchids, the risk of infestation with pests such as spider mites and diseases such as powdery mildew increases if the humidity levels fall below 70 percent. Ultimately, a plant will not grow and/or will suffer if the conditions for its growth are very unfavorable. For this reason, you should always ensure that the humidity levels in a greenhouse are appropriate.

The perfect microclimate in the greenhouse

For many plant species, the plant will not grow well if the humidity is too high. This can also cause problems: deficiencies and diseases can occur. Too high humidity in a greenhouse can, for example, be because plants also provide moisture. They are watered regularly and release a considerable amount of this moisture back into their environment. This is why the humidity in the greenhouse should be measured permanently . This can be done using a thermohygrometer, which constantly measures the room temperature and humidity. However, if you grow or breed plants professionally, it is best to opt for a thermohygrograph. This also records the measured values. In the best case scenario, this way you can gain valuable information through recordings that you can use to work towards the ideal humidity for your plants.

Humidifier in the greenhouse: achieving optimal values

If you find through measurements that the humidity in the greenhouse is often too low, you should increase the humidity levels artificially. There are various ways to do this. You can water more, set up water containers or run an artificial fountain. However, it is often more effective to work with an electric humidifier , especially if it can be operated automatically. Then even a separate measuring device for the humidity levels is not necessarily required.

Humidifiers like the B 280 from Brune have an internal humidity sensor that they use to measure the air humidity. If the measured value is below a set target value, the device starts automatically and humidifies the air in the greenhouse until the desired value is reached. The measurement for automatic control is even more precise if the humidifier is connected to an external radio hygrostat. It can be hung up anywhere in the greenhouse. Like a hygrometer and a humidity sensor, the hygrostat measures the air humidity. However, it sends the measured values ​​via radio to the humidifier, which in turn compares them with the target value.

Humidification for plants and people?

The right humidity for plant growth is of course not only important in a greenhouse. The right humidity is just as important in the conservatory and here too, humidification can be very useful for plants. However, in a conservatory it is much more important to take people and their needs into account than in a greenhouse. Unlike most greenhouses, the conservatory also serves as a place where people do not just stay to look after their plants.

The humidity should therefore be in a range that is good for both people and plants. For this reason, plants that require very high humidity are not ideal in conservatories. In addition, you should ensure that the humidity levels are at the upper rather than the lower limit of the range of 40 to 60 percent that is optimal for people. Many plants can cope well with a humidity level of around 60 percent. At this level, people can also be sure that the risks associated with too low humidity are minimized. If the humidity in the conservatory is too low, the risk of an infectious disease for people can increase, for example.

Also possible in greenhouses and conservatories: Humidifiers and dehumidifiers in combination

A combined use of a humidifier and a dehumidifier is sometimes particularly useful for the professional operation of a greenhouse . Such a combination is possible with the B 500 Professional humidifier and the Dehumid HP 50 dehumidifier. The combination of both devices keeps the humidity within a narrowly limited range if necessary. Both are connected by the radio hygrostat already presented in this article. It sends the measured values ​​to the humidifier and the dehumidifier at the same time.

If they are below the set point in the humidifier, the device regulates them upwards. If, on the other hand, they exceed the maximum value set in the dehumidifier, the dehumidifier regulates them downwards. This allows the humidity to be set very precisely to an optimal value for particularly sensitive plants. Such a combination system is usually oversized for private greenhouses. In the greenhouses of garden centers, however, it can serve very well.