I also use pebble trays under all my Hoyas & my tropicals (just not under my succulents). I'm in NYC w/ steam radiator heat.

Any higher than that, I would develope mold/mildew along the windows and on the ceilings, also on top of the pots soil, not being a good thing.

So I had to stop using a humidifier if the levels were higher than 60 percent.

Depending on what room you use one in, will determin if it is useful or not. I would definitely gauge the levels with a hygrometer.

In my plant room that has many plants grouped together with no heat source, it stays humid enough, usually above 50 percent.
In the main part of my home where the heat is going, a humidyfer works wonders. Levels are usually at 40 - 60 perccent.

There is no need for one in the bathroom or kitchen though. That is where steam from showers and or cooking is constant. The plants in my unheated room, the bathroom, and the kitchen seem to do best all winter.

Mike

How the heck did THAT happen. HA!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrometer

I got mine at Home Depot, and I can tell you, it has been a life saver for me when controlling humidity in certain rooms.

Mike

I bought 2 hygrometers at Ace Hardware years ago...23 yrs to be exact..both still work..
A few years back, dh bought an indoor/outdoor/gh hygrometer with indoor and outdoor temps and humidity.

Are there any Ace Hardware's in your area? If not, most hardware stores sell hygrometers..check hardware stores before nurseries..hardware stores sell similar hygrometers as nurseries, but at lower costs..It's best to have two..this way, you can check for accuracy.

Humidifers are also healthy for people and pets. I can't breathe when air is dry, and my skin feels like sand paper..When this happens, it's time to setup the humidifiers..

50% would be ideal, but keeping humidity so high is hard to do in cold areas once heat is turned on.

Wish we had steam heat. It's the best! Toni

Many plants do just fine on pebble trays w/out humidifiers. Learn the weight of your pots when dry or when newly watered (much heavier). Check for moisture w/ a pencil, a skewer or even a wooden chopstick. One needn't buy all these accessories (more money to spend on plants ;'>).

Many plants just keep right on going, they don't slow down or go dormant. The best way to learn this is to observe the plants closely.

I also am interested in overall humidity in my home (this home) for my husband. Ever since we have been here he has been having issues with his nose/breathing/blowing his nose/nose bleeds(often)/and overall super dry in his nose.
This has been most of the summer as well not just since the heat has been on. I am desperately trying to figure it out because if any of you women are married know...men whine when they are sick or just out of sorts. Not only that, I do feel bad that he is going through this especially the bloody noses.

It is either the air in the house or there are mold issues here as hubby is also allergic to mold. No one else is having these issues...so I just dont know anymore. :)

Tiff
when we built our new home we didn't put in ANY carpets. they are the worst when you have allergies. I am in PA too so I hear ya about the humidity in the summer.
The dry heated air dries out the membranes in your nose and causes bleeding, but if it certainly could be irritation from the carpet. If you are going to be there a while, you might be better off ripping up the carpet and putting down some kind of sheet flooring, anything but carpet.

Polly and Tiff..My dh has the same symptoms. Our heat is turned on low, but the air is dry..(although I just checked all 3 hygrometers read 40-42% depending on room.) The last 3 weeks he's had flu-like symptoms..this happened previous years so we know his problems are due to dry air. He has nose bleeds, too.

Where does mold come from? My sister keeps her house spotless..she hasn't any plants, lol.
Yet, there's mold on certain walls..They've used several products to rid mold, but it returns.. Why is that?

Rhizo, first, how have you been? Hope all is well.

Amyway, my dh makes his own beer, uses a HyDrometer. Since I'm 'duh,' in chemistry, and even though he's explained the reason a HyDrometer is needed to make a batch, I don't understand..Where did HyDrometer fit in... Toni

Also, the little portable weather stations all have a hygrometer feature now adays.

Problem, it's very rusted, so don't know if using it is a good idea. Inhaling rust? Unsure if breathing rust is harmful, so afraid to chance it.

Added water, off and on in the past..the following day the pocket was empty so it either works, or rust is absorbing water.

56% is perfect...for people and tropicals/semi-tropicals. Toni

Sounds like moisture is entering into her walls. She might my son has the same problem at his home.

I too have heard & read that carpets are particularly bad for folks w/ allergies, asthma, dust & mite issues. Any chance you could just go w/ bare floors? I have hardwood floors so I'm lucky in that respect (I dislike carpet anyway).

Toni. If your sister has a mold issue she should have that looked at ASAP. Mold can be very dangerous!!.. There might be a serious issue behind the walls with moisture.

Personally, I dont like hardwood. It feels cold to me. I prefer carpet and hubby as well. Better to play with the kids on, I like laying on the carpet to watch tv, etc. I have a fetish running the sweeper on carpet as well. I am weird I know.