Distilled vs. Spring

[boytjie]

My tap water is leaving mineral deposits on plants and roots, and some roots are dying, despite regular flushing-out of pots. I'm looking at alternatives. I have a smallish collection (around 50 plants), so I think I can handle the expense of bottled water from the supermarket. Anybody out there who could give a short summary of the differences and benefits/shortfalls of using distilled water, vs. spring water? Thanks!

[Ross]

Distilled is what you want, so long as the fertilizer you use is able to provide the micro-nutients missing in the distilled water. Distilled/Rain/RO water are all referred to as "pure" water. No minerals. Spring water will probably not be worth the purchase. It probably will contain a bunch of minerals similar to what you are already using.

[betwixtimes]

I am no expert, I use Pur filtered water.

[dave b]

Originally Posted by Ross

Distilled is what you want, so long as the fertilizer you use is able to provide the micro-nutients missing in the distilled water. Distilled/Rain/RO water are all referred to as "pure" water. No minerals. Spring water will probably not be worth the purchase. It probably will contain a bunch of minerals similar to what you are already using.

I agree with you Ross.

Ive even seen spring / drinking water that has had minerals added back into it to enhance the flavor. Read the small print on bottled water. It will normally describe the filtering / purification method. Only use distilled or RO method.

[blackorchid]

I've used the distilled water bought from Wal-mart for all my plant and for months, I haven't seen mineral deposit and the sphagnum moss I grew my paph in turns green and actually looks like it's living! That's a phenomenon that I've never seen when watering with tap water (It turned green but looked very raggy and ugly.)

[unhappykat]

I would go with the distilled water as well, if you look at the labels of most other water bottles you will se that sodium chloride, salt, and sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, have often been added for flavor.

Black orchid I have seen moss turn green, under my conditions, when using tap water but it seems to be too healthy and start to decompose the moss prematurely so I am now using a few algecides, i dont even know if that is the right spelling, to keep it manageable because sometimes it gets a bit too ugly.

[blackorchid]

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to say too. The moss is looking natural and green but still keep its shape and texture so it doesn't look raggy as in the case when you water with tap water. I don't think that it's the sphagnum moss itself that turn back to life and start growing. I think some other type of moss is growing on it that makes it looks green, not the algae. Beside, a gallon of distill water is like 75 c so why not?

[unhappykat]

As long as you collection is reasonable bottled water should be fine but as it grows you may want to consider an RO filter or something else as the water bills start to get out of hand. I started with bottled water but after # 100 it just wasnt happening anymore, now they get the hose.