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submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net to c/houseplants@mander.xyz

Most people struggle with too low RH, leading to stunted growth, burnt tips, and dehydrated leaves. We all know that.

But I may have quite the opposite problem: my hygrometers never display a value of <50%, even during winter.

In summer, it often stays at about 60% (40-70%, depending on weather), and right now, due to the autumn weather conditions, I'm quite struggling to get it lower than 70%, even after opening the windows/ doors and letting the air flow through the apartment (we Germans call that Querlüften) a few times daily.

Right now it sits at constant 80%.

I live in a very modern apartment with great insulation, so mold isn't going to be a problem. During very cold winters, there's some condensation on the windows, but no moist walls or whatever.

Still, even though my Calatheas, ferns, and Nepenthes love it and thrive, I don't identify as a gecko and think I shouldn't be living in a fucking terrarium...


Here are a few pics attached.

There are some moldy stocks (especially on Calatheas), leaf damage (airflow?) and many of my orchids struggle, in particular my Phalaenopsis, where half of them thrive, and the other half is already in the trash because they rotted away in a blink of an eye. Oncidium type orchids are also molding a bit on leaf stumps, but I think that might be normal, because the new roots look great.
Crown rot is also a thing, especially with my Pinguiculas.

Is that due to the humidity, or because of my semi-hydro (passive LECA hydroculture) cultivation?

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[-] UxyIVrljPeRl@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

I mainly struggle with seeds/seedlings as its really hard to not get tiny stuff moldy, while also stopping it from burning/drying out on sunny days.

[-] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 6 points 1 month ago

Yes, I struggle with infections when it gets cold. I'm keeping it warmer near the plants this winter, and also going to try to give them more light. It gets drier inside here, but I'm sure it would be even worse if it was moist.

[-] TammyTobacco@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago

Look up VPD charts, Vapor Pressure Deficit. It's an example of how the dew point changes across temperature ranges which affects how well the plants can breathe.

this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2025
24 points (100.0% liked)

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