Questions about water quality...

[JKeys]

Okay, so as I'm beginning to get more orchids, I'm realizing that the water you use is very important. However, which orchids like what kind of water? For example, A paphiopedilum orchid likes water with a ... Ph level, with the absence of minerals like ... Or ... And an abundance of ... Also, what steps can I take to determine if the water I'm using is safe/unsafe or the easier ways to get better water? And finally, how can I supply my orchids with the certain nutrients thy need to thrive? Thanks all!

Jackson

[NYCorchidman]

If you don't see any salt burn (blackening of leaf tips) on your orchids, it is probably safe to say that your water is good for your orchids.

Some orchids might be more sensitive to water quality than others.
As far as what I grow, which are mostly hybrids of common/popular ones like paphs, phals, catts, dens, oncidiums and more, I water them with tap water.

They all grow and flower well.

If you are concerned about your tap water, you could look up the city water report or call them and ask about the hardness of the water in Boston.

As for the micronutrients, tap water contains lots of micronutrients, but using orchid fertilizer with micronutrients (I hate to call them "nutrients" but), which there are a few in the market. You can use any of those available. I personally don't see any difference.

[Discus]

It depends how seriously you want to take it.
If you plan to use "city water", those reports are quite useful. It's usually better to check what your water is after you've added fertiliser to it - pH and EC are the most useful measures.

Also, remember that different fertilisers are formulated for different water types - "well" water ones work OK with "city water", but if you're using rainwater or RO, you want a "pure" water formulation.

Starting with purer water means more of what you deliver in the water can be the nutrient you want to get to your plants.

Our local water is shocking and I buy RO water for all my plants, at something like 10c a litre (R1).

[Ray]

To echo Discus - how seriously do you want to delve into your orchid growing? The chemistry of water quality and nutrition can be pretty complex, and you can look at it in much detail, or you can do things in a more laissez faire manor - both with success.

I can say that starting with pure water seems to give all plants an advantage - they seem "brighter" and sturdier, in my opinion, but that also means that you have to pay more close attention to the nutrients you add.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Paphs in the section Brachypetalum and most Paphs in the section Parvisepalum tend to take in lots of calcium and magnesium because many of these orchids naturally come from areas that have lots of limestone (i.e. limestone hills, limestone cliffs, etc.).

These orchids can tolerate water with high mineral content, ("high mineral content" in water usually refers to calcium carbonate).

It so happens that certain Phals also tend to be present around certain areas where there is lots of limestone nearby. Hence why many Phals tend to be able to tolerate high levels of mineral content in water.

On the flip side, orchids that occur where there is no limestone present and those that grow in mid to high elevation cloud forests do not usually encounter water that is high in calcium or magnesium. So for example, Dracula spp. are extremely sensitive to water that is high in mineral content. As are many Lepanthes spp.

But the chlorine or the chloramine levels are a different story...

Too much of these chemicals present in the water can cause a lot of damage to your orchids no matter what they are.

[NatalieS]

Chlorine is easily overcome though by just letting the water stand for no less than 15 minutes (overnight is best so that the water from the tap reaches room temperature as well). Chlorine dissipates quickly in the atmosphere.

Chloramine is a different story. As others have said already, if you want to take it really seriously it would be worth trying to get a report for your tap water from your municipality to see how hard/soft your water is and what they use to treat it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

Chlorine is easily overcome though by just letting the water stand for no less than 15 minutes (overnight is best so that the water from the tap reaches room temperature as well). Chlorine dissipates quickly in the atmosphere.

True.

[flexdc]

Hey JK I grow orchids here in LA with our notoriously awful water that I myself won't even drink!
What I find is that some orchids aren't bothered by water quality while others are. Paphs are very sensitive and will not flower with our tap water. I have to use RO
All others, Cymbidiums, Oncidiums, dendrobiums, cattleyas and Vandaecious and Phalaenopsis orchids aren't bothered by it.
I also fertilize very lightly. Sometimes not at all and they still flower. I hose them down. May be that also flushes out minerals that have accumulated.

Andrew

[james mickelso]

Just my two cents. When I started growing orchids I used good old southern California water right out of the tap. And my orchids just hung out and never did much. Then I started using RO water blended with tap water. And there was a definite difference in vigor and growth. And they flowered better too. So that is what I use. I buy the RO water from a machine in front of my local drug store for 30 cents a gallon and blend it 50/50 or maybe 30% tap and 70% RO. Works for me. Of course I dip all my orchids into a bucket full of water (I can hear the gasps of incredulety).

[JKeys]

Thanks All!
I think I may get a report on my tap water and if need be i will start purchasing RO water.