fluorescents don't light--high humidity?

[Hari Seldon]

I have two fluroescent plant stands that are on timers. During this last week, neither has lit. They way I get them lit--believe it or not--is to touch the bulb or even just let my hands float near it (after the current has been on a while, to be sure). That both of them stopped at the same time seems too much of a coincidence. The only thing I can think of is that every morning this week the humidity has been in the high 90% range. Could this have affected the choke in some way? Any thoughts or suggestions?