Indoor humidity
 

Okay, I must admit, I have never tried keeping bananas inside the confines of my house before, but I am going to try a few this winter. My main concern is the dry winter air in my house and am thinking of purchasing a humidifier for my den where the plants will be. I have looked on the internet at them and wonder which would be a better fit for my application. They have warm air and cool mist humidifiers. Pros and cons of each? Also, with a humidifier in the den where I have a wood laminate flooring, I am concerned with the effects it will have on my floors. I am sure someone out there has done this and can advise me on (1) how to protect the floors, (2) which type of humidifier I should purchase, (3) what % humidity should I try to maintain...
Any thoughts and/or concerns with this, please advise... Thanks in advance...
Randy

Re: Indoor humidity
 

Randy, I will be doing the same (in my shop) and had the same concern, but then I read someone that mentioned humidity inside became very high because of the plants in their garage. Probably not the same situation for you since you probably would crowd your house with bananas. I would think they would still be fine, maybe just need more watering. Some would be more sensative than others, I assume.

Re: Indoor humidity
 

I overwintered in my livingroom last year, and on my hearth, next to the fireplace. My biggest problems were overwatering and spidermites. The leaves never got crispy and stayed fresh all winter (Dec, Jan, Feb, and most of March) even growing a new leaf each month. I have no humidifier, but stoked my fireplace and ran my gas heater. I now have central heat, but I don't know if there'll be any difference.

Re: Indoor humidity
 

Hey Randy,

I hate the cool mist ones because the water does not seem to evaporate before it hits the ground. I had one in my bedroom when I was sick and I woke up the next morning and the carpet was damp near it. I love the hot steam ones. My guess as to the humidity range would be somewhere in the 50-60% would be ok. Normal indoor is in the 40 range accourding to my indoor sensor. I run my humidifier everynight and I love it. It works well though because it is in a confined bedroom, if you are trying to humidify an open den with your heat on it will prove to not be very effective. If your den is where the sun is in your home then just put the bananas on a towel and then spray them with a mist of water 2-3 time every day and they will do fine.
Thanks -Jason

Re: Indoor humidity
 

That is quite a new problem to me too. I have never think like that but the problem is the same for sure. The humidity is the factor need to be controlled and proper care of it must be taken.