RO Water Storage and Rain Water

[Jadeco]

I work at Starbucks Coffee and apparently our water is distilled through reverse osmosis. This technically means I have a steady supply of RO water, but I don't know how to store it at home. In a plastic jug? In room temperature?

Also, it rains a lot here in the pacific northwest and rain water is supposed to be pretty good for orchids, too.

RO water vs rain water?

[shakkai]

I prefer rain water - as I live in a wet climate similar to yours. My rain water is collected off of a roof that is covered in moss. It must pick up some nutrients (very similar to what orchids growing in trees would get) as it filters through the moss.

I store my water in the larger plastic water bottles, nothing special.

[Ray]

Both RO and rain water are fine for your orchids, and room-temperature storage in plastic is fine.

As they are essentially pure, and nutrient-free, you will need to add a complete fertilizer with major-, minor-, and trace ingredients, or your plants could become deficient. Also please keep in mind that as neither water source is buffered, if you use fertilizer intended for mineral-laden tap water, your pH will likely be extremely acidic, so will need to be adjusted upward. An alternative is to use a formula intended for pure water in the first place.