what exactly is "good" water... for orchids (Epi. tetraceros)

[WaterWitchin]

Just a quick throw-in... chlorine can be dissapated by leaving out. Many water resource systems now use chloramine. Leaving it sit out for a day or two, or a week or more, does nothing.

And I don't know about San Diego area, but was recently in San Fran area... I wouldn't let my dog drink the water there, let alone myself. No offense to anyone, but YUCK!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

And I don't know about San Diego area, but was recently in San Fran area... I wouldn't let my dog drink the water there, let alone myself. No offense to anyone, but YUCK!

Hmmm... what part of the SF area? SF itself has superb water (Sierra snowmelt, not only tastes great but also grows Masdevallias and other high-eleation Pleurothallids beautifully right out of the tap) East Bay not as good, different sources.

[Ray]

I think that as a general rule, the purer, the better for all orchids. Some may have greater tolerance for dissolved solids than others, but they'd still prefer purity.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Hmmm... what part of the SF area? SF itself has superb water (Sierra snowmelt, not only tastes great but also grows Masdevallias and other high-eleation Pleurothallids beautifully right out of the tap) East Bay not as good, different sources.

We were at a hotel right across from the airport. Is that East or West Bay? I was turned around the whole time we were there. It was disgusting water. My husband's mom lives in San Bruno (very close by) and they get their water from a different source. It was just fine. It must have to do with the area? His mom also said "Yuck. You don't want to drink anything but bottled water while you're there."

LOL... being close by the airport, there were a lot of travelers from places like Germany, Sweden, etc., there. They raised such a fuss the management brought in and was giving out three bottles of water to each guest daily.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

We were at a hotel right across from the airport. Is that East or West Bay? I was turned around the whole time we were there. It was disgusting water. My husband's mom lives in San Bruno (very close by) and they get their water from a different source. It was just fine. It must have to do with the area? His mom also said "Yuck. You don't want to drink anything but bottled water while you're there."

LOL... being close by the airport, there were a lot of travelers from places like Germany, Sweden, etc., there. They raised such a fuss the management brought in and was giving out three bottles of water to each guest daily.

Interesting... Airport is west side of SF Bay, and San Bruno is close...I have a friend in South San Francisco, also in that area, who has great water. Airport must be getting water from wells,probably contaminated with water from the bay which is right next to it. Remember,California is mostly a desert, so water typically comes from "someplace else". And the "where" is hyperlocal, sometimes variable by time of year. All the more reason for joining an orchid club... the best source for the local knowledge of orchid-growing wisdom comes from other people who are doing it.