Rain water...

[Des]

Just add some milk and sugar and it should be good

[cirillonb]

Why isn't rainwater sitting in a 40 gallon open trash can or barrel, gathered from an open roof also contaminated with god-knows what. I think the use of rainwater is vastly overblown and not very scientific except that it lacks minerals for the stones and soil that ground water (read city water) runs over. Also, in certain parts of the country it is extremely acidic (heard of acid-rain!)
Condensate from air conditioners and humidifiers should be even better than rainwater except for minimal dissolved oxygen, if cleanliness is maintained.
Fortunately in my city the total dissolved solids is within safe range, they don't use chloramines and it is oxygenated in the processing as well as in my faucet end aerator.It is also about in the middle of hardness.
Nick

[kiki-do]

I use the water from my dehumidifier in my basement. It's as pure as rain water to me! My chids love it.

[MayA83]

I have a creek runing along the house, would it be safe to use the creek-water on my phals?
Would it be like rain-water?

[cirillonb]

I would definitely discourage creek water. First, you don't know the contents (mineral) unless you perform an expensive analysis; Second, there are all kinds of living critters in a creek some might not be too kind to orchids.
I think you would do better with tap water, or distilled water purchased at the market, than creek water.
Nick

[MayA83]

Thanks for answer, then I'll keep my orchids away from the creek-water... alltough I must say that this water come from the mountains, and I'd have no trouble drinking it... The only thing I can think of, is MAYBE small,small bugs in there.

[Des]

Loved your blog ,but those mountains look so cold I had to make myself a cup of soup just to warm up.

[MayA83]

Originally Posted by Des

Loved your blog ,but those mountains look so cold I had to make myself a cup of soup just to warm up.

Oh no, they aren't always cold.... The lake you see, sometimes you can take a bath in it, in the summertime that is... We also have a cabbin there, and I plan to be there alot this summer... Take my horses with me, taking long rides far away into the mountains, and maybe do a little fishing also. Our sheeps are in these mountains in the summer, and provides them with the most valuable food of the whole year.
But you are right, it looks cold and rigid there... But trust me, it's not alway like this. I'll post some more pictures from these mountains later in the summer, and then you'll se...

[Des]

That sounds wonderful, what I woud'nt give to be able to move about like that.

[K.C.]

Rain water is good but it can be work as you accumulate orchids. The osmosis systems is the thing.