"What is humidity?  Do I need it?"
          Humidity is the amount of water vapor (moisture) present in the air.  In places where it is dry, the humidity is low, you'll often experience dry skin and feel more thirsty.  This is less likely to occur in places where the humidity is high.  High humidity keeps your skin and you from drying out.

QUICK TIP "Water often and your plant still dries out?"  Make sure no heating vent is nearby.  If it is in bark, make sure the bark chips aren't too large.

           This same thought process can be applied to orchids.   As tropical plants, orchids are accustomed to having a fair amount of humidity.  If your orchid plant is in an area where the humidity is low, your plant will lose water faster and possibly dry out.  Watering more often may alleviate the problem.  However, your plant can still become dehydrated if it is losing water faster than the roots can absorb it.  In humid environments, your plants won't experience this problem.

"How do I give my plants humidity?"
          Providing humidity for your plants can be done in a number of ways.  The easist way to provide humidity for your plants is to keep them near each other.  Plants naturally humidify the space around them.  By keeping your plants close together (not bunched up though), they maintain a more stable humid environment.
          Another easy way to keep the air humid is to mist the leaves of your orchid plants with a spray bottle.  Misting your plants provides humidity as the water evaporates off of the leaves.  It is best to mist your plants in the morning.  Misting at night could encourage mold growth and/or diseases.
          Humidity trays or pebble trays provide a more sophisticated and often attractive solution.  Humidity and pebble trays are designed so that the pot of your orchid sits on top.  The trays allow you to pour water into them, without having water seep into the pot.  The water then evaporates into the air creating humidity. See below on how to make a pebble tray.
          Finally, a humidifier is the most sophisticated way to control humidity.  A humidifier is an appliance that measures the humidity with a humidistat (like a thermostat) and then absorbs or releases water vapor to adjust your humidity.  Your local hardware store or Sears should carry one.

How to make a pebble tray
1. Take a clear plastic or glass tray relatively short in height.
2. Fill with small pebbles.  Smoother pebbles work better and look more attractive.
3. Fill tray with water such that the water level does not rise above the pebble surfaces
4. Place the pot so that it sits on top of the pebbles.  Make sure no water seeps into the pot.
5. The water will now evaporate off the surfaces of the pebbles providing humidity.

"How do I measure humidity?"
          Humidity can be measured with a hygrometer.  Don't know where to buy a hygrometer?  Try your local hardware store, SEARS™, or Radio Shack™.  You can even order one online at RadioShack.com™ or www.Sears.com.