Distilled, reverse osmosis & other water types

[HiOrcDen]

So it has just occurred to me that I might use water from our sink drinking water filter for some or all of my orchids.

I know that it is at least distilled water, filtered from tap water. Will this be okay to use for my little orchids that are used to distilled water? Until now, I have bought special arrowhead water which is both spring water and distilled. Will it be okay to switch to distilled tap water instead?

Can I, and more importantly, is there any advantage to, using the distilled tap water for all of my orchids?

Also, my sister, who recommended this device to my parents, told me that it might be reverse osmosis as well. Is it possible for a filter to function as both distillation and reverse osmosis? (or do they even overlap in function?)

So then if the filter is both distilled and reverse osmosis, or one, or the other, in which cases would there be an advantage to use it for all of my Orchids?

[estación seca]

Distillation is purifying water by heating or using the sun to evaporate it to water vapor (steam), then condensing it to liquid in another vessel. The minerals are left behind in the evaporation vessel. This method can produce the water with the least amount of minerals - essentially none.

Reverse osmosis is using pressure on one side of a membrane with very small holes to force water through but leave the minerals on the other side of the membrane. Not all the minerals remain behind; this method does not produce water as pure as distilled, but it can be close.

Spring water is water that comes out of the ground. It can have lots of minerals or not very many.

Many water filters run water through a collection of chemicals intended to purify the water. They are generally enclosed in some kind of cartridge. There is a wide range of how effective these are and they are not comparable.

You need to find out what kind of filter you have on your sink. It might be reverse osmosis. It might be a cartridge filter. I am almost certain it's not distillation because that would require a heat source. I haven't seen distillers built to go on sinks.

A reverse osmosis filter will have several large round components plumbed with lengths of tubing under the sink. A cartridge filter might be only an attachment that goes on the end of the faucet.

Some orchids are very particular about having very low amounts of minerals in the water. Others aren't. Most water in southern California contains relatively high amounts of minerals, so you need to learn which orchids are fine with it and which need more pure water. In general I would say hybrid Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis and most Dendrobiums aren't much bothered about minerals in water. Some Dendrobiums, some species Phals and many cloud forest species do want rather pure water.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Distillation is purifying water by heating or using the sun to evaporate it to water vapor (steam), then condensing it to liquid in another vessel. The minerals are left behind in the evaporation vessel. This method can produce the water with the least amount of minerals - essentially none.

Reverse osmosis is using pressure on one side of a membrane with very small holes to force water through but leave the minerals on the other side of the membrane. Not all the minerals remain behind; this method does not produce water as pure as distilled, but it can be close.

Spring water is water that comes out of the ground. It can have lots of minerals or not very many.

Many water filters run water through a collection of chemicals intended to purify the water. They are generally enclosed in some kind of cartridge. There is a wide range of how effective these are and they are not comparable.

You need to find out what kind of filter you have on your sink. It might be reverse osmosis. It might be a cartridge filter. I am almost certain it's not distillation because that would require a heat source. I haven't seen distillers built to go on sinks.

A reverse osmosis filter will have several large round components plumbed with lengths of tubing under the sink. A cartridge filter might be only an attachment that goes on the end of the faucet.

Some orchids are very particular about having very low amounts of minerals in the water. Others aren't. Most water in southern California contains relatively high amounts of minerals, so you need to learn which orchids are fine with it and which need more pure water. In general I would say hybrid Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis and most Dendrobiums aren't much bothered about minerals in water. Some Dendrobiums, some species Phals and many cloud forest species do want rather pure water.

Cool, thanks so much for all the detailed info and elucidation! I should addd that the water I buy is both distilled&spring water..

So as far as the filter not being likely to be distillation, since it requires heating, there is one thing I should mention. It actually has a second lever that instantly releases steaming temperature water. So does this mean it might be distilled?

And in general, even if an orchid does not per se need distilled or otherwise filtered water, is there an advantage to using it anyhow? I ask because, I have noticed that when it rains, some of my orchids tend to have a bit of a growth spurt. Can one of these water transformation forms at least approach simulating rainwater (if indeed I am right about the rainwater boosting growth)

[Ray]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Cool, thanks so much for all the detailed info and elucidation! I should addd that the water I buy is both distilled&spring water..

So as far as the filter not being likely to be distillation, since it requires heating, there is one thing I should mention. It actually has a second lever that instantly releases steaming temperature water. So does this mean it might be distilled?

And in general, even if an orchid does not per se need distilled or otherwise filtered water, is there an advantage to using it anyhow? I ask because, I have noticed that when it rains, some of my orchids tend to have a bit of a growth spurt. Can one of these water transformation forms at least approach simulating rainwater (if indeed I am right about the rainwater boosting growth)

Distilled is pure water. The source of the “feed” water is irrelevant, as the output is the same.

I really cannot imagine why anyone would intentionally acquire spring water, which usually contains relatively high levels of dissolved minerals (which is why it tastes good) and then strip them out. I’d really like to see the label, if you can post a photo.

“Heated” is not the same as “distilled”. As ES mentioned, distillation requires total evaporation of the water and then condensation and collection, and that usually involves the passing of the vapor over water-cooled or refrigerated coils to condense it.

As to potential benefits of the use of pure water, if you think about it, orchids in nature get rain and dew, both of which are essentially “nature’s distilled” water. To me, it makes sense that as they have evolved with the “expectation” to be irrigated with very pure, low-solids water, they should get it in cultivation, as well.

Supporting that is the fact that plants grown with a regimen that includes very pure water with frequent, very dilute fertilizer additions - including those plants that are tolerant of harder water - will tend to have bright, glossy leaves, whereas those grown with hard water will have a more dull appearance. Granted, I’m equating glossy with better, but it does seem to make sense.

[estación seca]

A distiller would require a vessel to condense the water vapor. I'm almost certain your device isn't a distiller. Does it have a brand name and model number? Cartridges need to be replaced at recommended intervals. That information would be in the instruction brochure.

If you bring your own buckets reverse osmosis water may be less expensive at a nearby aquarium shop. Call a few and inquire. Use lids or it will slosh around in your car.

[jiblylegs]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

I ask because, I have noticed that when it rains, some of my orchids tend to have a bit of a growth spurt.

If you mean after a thunderstorm, lightning plays a significant role in the nitrogen cycle. This may be why you notice a growth spurt?

[Roberta]

In southern California, not a lot of lightning. Rain is just wet - but it is better "wet" than plants are likely to get when watered the usual way. The watering from rain lasts longer, the rain water likely contains a lot of air, and if the plants routinely get city water, it's a lot lower in solids than the "liquid rocks" that come out of a hose or faucet. The really good soaking may be a factor - when I run the sprinklers, the ones that get RO only get about 2 minutes, the ones that get city water get 4 minutes. A compromise between what the plants want and what my water bill can support. But especially this winter, the rain fell for hours. And many of my plants are giving me the best bloomings ever.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by jiblylegs

If you mean after a thunderstorm, lightning plays a significant role in the nitrogen cycle. This may be why you notice a growth spurt?

Wow that sounds intriguing! Please expound...

---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

Distilled is pure water. The source of the “feed” water is irrelevant, as the output is the same.

I really cannot imagine why anyone would intentionally acquire spring water, which usually contains relatively high levels of dissolved minerals (which is why it tastes good) and then strip them out. I’d really like to see the label, if you can post a photo.

“Heated” is not the same as “distilled”. As ES mentioned, distillation requires total evaporation of the water and then condensation and collection, and that usually involves the passing of the vapor over water-cooled or refrigerated coils to condense it.

As to potential benefits of the use of pure water, if you think about it, orchids in nature get rain and dew, both of which are essentially “nature’s distilled” water. To me, it makes sense that as they have evolved with the “expectation” to be irrigated with very pure, low-solids water, they should get it in cultivation, as well.

Supporting that is the fact that plants grown with a regimen that includes very pure water with frequent, very dilute fertilizer additions - including those plants that are tolerant of harder water - will tend to have bright, glossy leaves, whereas those grown with hard water will have a more dull appearance. Granted, I’m equating glossy with better, but it does seem to make sense.

Originally Posted by estación seca

A distiller would require a vessel to condense the water vapor. I'm almost certain your device isn't a distiller. Does it have a brand name and model number? Cartridges need to be replaced at recommended intervals. That information would be in the instruction brochure.

If you bring your own buckets reverse osmosis water may be less expensive at a nearby aquarium shop. Call a few and inquire. Use lids or it will slosh around in your car.

Originally Posted by Roberta

In southern California, not a lot of lightning. Rain is just wet - but it is better "wet" than plants are likely to get when watered the usual way. The watering from rain lasts longer, the rain water likely contains a lot of air, and if the plants routinely get city water, it's a lot lower in solids than the "liquid rocks" that come out of a hose or faucet. The really good soaking may be a factor - when I run the sprinklers, the ones that get RO only get about 2 minutes, the ones that get city water get 4 minutes. A compromise between what the plants want and what my water bill can support. But especially this winter, the rain fell for hours. And many of my plants are giving me the best bloomings ever.

So Ray, I get your point about the spring & distilled idea. I think I was assuming that since it's Arrowhead, known for spring water, and that the Arrowhead distilled has the same label, except for the word 'distilled', that it's both. I'll attach a pic... pretty sure you're right, unless the sources listed on the pic are spring water, which im thinking a protected well may or may not be, but likely not the LA municipal source! lol

So then, I looked into our specific system, and it would appear that it is simply a filter of some variety, as you surmised, Estación Seca... So what I'm wondering is, is there a benefit to using filtered water for orchids, while still not as good as distilled?

And Roberta, I am waiting for blooms, but plenty of my Orchids really sprang up during the rain!

Finally... I think that distillers seem to be of very reasonable cost for the size of my collection, on Amazon. I've found one that can make 6 gallons per day, which could last me at least three days, maybe close to a week or more, especially if I switch over to all moss substrate, which I am considering (incidentally any further perspectives on that notion would be appreciated!) This one is $99, and I'm sure one that can make one or two gallons, which is all I'd need per day must be quite cheap. I might get a bigger capacity if my collection grows much more. So why would I not opt to buy a distiller? Wouldn't this be great for my Orchids? Are these distillers I've found on Amazon not the proper type?

Again...

[Ray]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

So what I'm wondering is, is there a benefit to using filtered water for orchids, while still not as good as distilled?

That depends upon what type of filter you have. If it’s just carbon (Brita), that’s removing chlorine and any organics, assuming you keep up with the filter replacement, and that’s of little benefit to the plants. If it’s a deionization filter (Zerowater), that does remove the dissolved minerals.

Finally... I think that distillers seem to be of very reasonable cost for the size of my collection, on Amazon. I've found one that can make 6 gallons per day, which could last me at least three days, maybe close to a week or more, especially if I switch over to all moss substrate, which I am considering (incidentally any further perspectives on that notion would be appreciated!) This one is $99, and I'm sure one that can make one or two gallons, which is all I'd need per day must be quite cheap. I might get a bigger capacity if my collection grows much more. So why would I not opt to buy a distiller? Wouldn't this be great for my Orchids? Are these distillers I've found on Amazon not the proper type?

Distilled water is fine for your plants. However, operating a still takes a lot of energy to boil the water ($) and a lot of cold water passing through the condensation coils ($) to collect it, plus there’s the safety factor related to running a boiler. A unit with a small output must run 24 hours to do so, and is using a lot of water and electricity. For about the same money, you can get a counter-top RO system with a great deal more capacity. Yes, it consumes water for flushing, but to collect a few gallons, it’ll run for a shorter period of time and use. I electricity.

For example, the 50 gpd unit I sell uses a low-pressure membrane, and with my water pressure and temperature, I can fill a 2.5-gallon jug in about 35-40 minutes and shut it off.

One more thing: if you go with purified water, you should use a fertilizer containing both calcium and magnesium, as they are essential and are not contained in the water.

[jiblylegs]

Lightning ionizes air molecules. The ions are then free to react and form new molecules. The important process in this context is that free nitrogen reacts with free oxygen to form nitrate or nitrite. They then dissolve in the rain as it passes through the atmosphere and subsequently makes it to the root zones of plants.