Being Humid

 

February 2024

PICKAWAY TO GARDEN

Being Humid

By Paul Hang

 

It is not humid in my house. In fact, my mucus membranes and my throat feel dry and irritated. My eyelids are scraping across my eyeballs.  My skin is flaking off to such a degree I resemble a snow thrower. This topic was prompted by these experiences and my memory of the winter I spent in Thule, Greenland, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force, where it was so dry you would receive a painful zap of static electricity on your lips when you drank from a water fountain.

 

Humidity may seem like a strange subject for gardeners in February. As I write this the humidity outside is 52%, the humidity inside is 27%. The temperature outside is 19 degrees, the temperature inside is 71 degrees. If you took a parcel of air from outside and brought it inside the relative humidity drops. Warm air holds more water than cold air. We say “it is humid” when the humidity is high. We don’t have a similar word for when the humidity is low. I suggest “it is humidry” or how about “inhumid?”

 

Wikipedia says, “Humidity is the concentration of water vapor in the air,…” It goes on to say that it, “…depends on the temperature and pressure ….” Humidity is expressed as a percentage to communicate the concentration of water vapor. For example, on a hot sticky day we might say, “The humidity must be 100%.” If the humidity is 100% the air is saturated and couldn’t hold any more water vapor. It is called relative humidity because it is comparing the amount of water vapor in the air to the amount of water vapor in the air if it was saturated.

 

To define it further is to plunge into the weeds of technical terms and mathematical equations, which are really dry (0%). Plants are made up of a lot of water. They take it up through their roots and to some extent through their leaves. They transpire, “breathe,” evaporate water vapor out into the air. They do it through pores in their leaves, called stomata. Stomata can open or close, depending on temperature and moisture, to control the rate of transpiration.

 

More to the point, what effect does humidity have on plants? If the humidity is too high, plants have a hard time transpiring, evaporating moisture into the air. They suffocate. High humidity invites pests such as fungus, gnats, mold and bacteria and it affects plants ability to draw nutrients from the soils. If the humidity is too low plants may transpire more water than they take in and begin to dry out. Leaves curl, brown and drop. Flowers drop or don’t form at all.

 

In our homes we can control the growing environment to some extent. Low moisture type plants like succulents, jade, kalanchoes and cacti with thick and waxy leaves can be grouped together in drier areas of the home, 30%-40%. High moisture types like ferns, palms, Ficus, Bamboo and Schefflera can be clustered or placed in higher moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens or near water features, 50%-70%. Other ways to increase humidity besides location include misting and pebble trays, although the effect is short lived. Perhaps the best technique is to use a humidifier. Don’t overwater, make sure pots have drainage.

 

Humidity is a major factor in plant growth along with temperature, watering, light and nutrient availability. Know your plants requirements and you can have some control over their health while indoors and waiting for more warm humid days.

 

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer? Attend our Open House to learn more about it. February 7^th, 4:30 to 6:00 PM at the OSU Extension Office Conference Room 2^nd floor, 110 Island Road (East Entrance)

Questions??’s 740-497-4384 or Email, lhuston@columbus.rr.com

 

Things to do in the garden:

 

Check perennials and bulbs for heaving out of the ground. Press them down gently with your foot. Make a list of plants you want. Inventory seeds you have saved to make sure they aren’t past viability. Send in your seed orders. Will our results ever match those of the glossy color pictures? When you make out your seed and plant orders consider planting more native and heirloom plants. Native plants are plants that evolved here and are adapted to our conditions, diseases and native pests. While you’re at it try googling the name of a flower you’re thinking about ordering.  You will be able to see pictures and planting information.

 

This is the time to prune trees and shrubs (after you sharpen your tools). You can see their structure now that they are dormant and the leaves are down. Cut out crossing and rubbing branches and unwanted suckers.  Pruning can be done to reduce the size of a tree or shrub to bring it in to balance or to remove overhanging branches blocking a view or path. Insects are less likely to be attracted to cuts while trees are dormant. Remember, spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering if you want to enjoy the blooms. Summer flowering shrubs can be pruned now. Cut back butterfly bush (Buddleia) severely.

 

On smaller trees you may want to take care of problems yourself. On larger trees you should call in an expert to inspect and perhaps correct any problems. Arborists are in a slow time of year. The ground, if frozen, will not be damaged and compacted as much from equipment and crews. The Arbor Day Foundation recommends that you have Certified Arborists check any safety problems you may have noticed. To find them go to www.isa-arbor.com click on “Verify Certification” and then “Find an Arborist.” They will not recommend topping your trees. The City of Circleville has a Comprehensive Tree Plan. You can find it at ci.circleville.oh.us, in the search box type Tree Plan. There you will find lots of information on caring for trees.

 

If you dug up bulbs for storage check on them. Spritz them with water to prevent drying out. Throw away any rotting or shriveled ones. Water any dormant or overwintering plants in your garage or basement. Water houseplants with lukewarm water, don’t overwater and turn them a quarter turn once a week, no fertilizer yet.

 

Seeds of onions, cabbage, cauliflower, and other members of the Cole family can be started indoors this month for setting out in late March or early April, depending on the weather: The University of Minnesota has a good discussion; go to www.extension.umn.edu/garden /flowers/starting-seeds-indoors. Also Google Winter Sowing. There you will read how to recycle plastic milk bottles to easily germinate some seeds. It is a good way to raise a lot of seedlings for planting “drifts,” those bands of like plants that wander serpentinely through flower beds. Now is a good time to start building raised vegetable garden beds. If your compost heap isn’t frozen and is workable, turn it.