Softened water

[WhiteRabbit]

If you have an outside tap, where the water hasn't gone thru the softener, you could use water from there.

[Zoey]

I am learning sooo much. I have access to non-softened spring water. Probably would be considered purified tap water. I could add a weak fertilizer to that if you think it would work. Most of my phals are in bloom now. I have acquired new things I haven't tried before. Neofenitia, equitant oncidimiums, plants that will fit in my growing space. Thanks.

[Olivia]

I'm glad I finally found the answer to *why* softened water was bad for orchids.

Does anyone know if softened water is just as bad for regular houseplants? This may well be the explanation for my mother's mysterious black thumb for indoor plants

[Discus]

Sodium in concentration isn't good for any plants - and it has a tendency to build up along with other salts, particularly for people that sporadically water or don't fully "flush" their plants. Houseplants on the whole are more tolerant than orchids, but there comes a point. This might be what's happening to your mom's plants. People tend to be averse to watering houseplants properly because of the "mess".

I've always argued (a strong word, but yeah...) with my parents about the correct way of watering plants - i.e. flushing the pots so water runs out the bottom, not just making them a little damp and "not wasting" water out the bottom of the pot. Drives them mad when I water their balcony garden, but then their plants suddenly look a lot happier...! Ditto irrigation of gardens - long occasional soaks rather than a little spritz!

Depending on how much water you go through, it might be worth your while looking at Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment for your plants. Will probably be cheaper than buying distilled water!

You should test your well-water for conductivity/TDS before assuming it's OK for orchids. It's also possible that your non-softened water is also OK for orchids; you water company should be able to give you a ballpark figure for TDS/EC if you give them a call.

Alternatively, EC/TDS meters aren't that expensive and you can test water sources yourself!

[Olivia]

Fortunately the water I have at my place is not softened. But the plants definitely won't be visiting my parents now.

I'll have to see if my parents outside tap also goes through the softener. My mother really wants an orchid but thinks that she'll kill it. I'm just trying to trouble shoot the problems before getting her one.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Olivia

Fortunately the water I have at my place is not softened. But the plants definitely won't be visiting my parents now.

I'll have to see if my parents outside tap also goes through the softener. My mother really wants an orchid but thinks that she'll kill it. I'm just trying to trouble shoot the problems before getting her one.

yeah - softened water is high sodium - not good for most living things - please make sure your parents aren't drinking the softened water or giving it to any pets

or maybe the softener is bypassed in kitchen for drinking and cooking purposes - if so, that water can be used

[quiltergal]

Some grocery stores have water purifiers that you can use to refill jugs you may already have. The one at my store has an RO system, UV radiation, and charcoal filter. It's only 41 cents a gallon to refill vs 1-2 bucks to buy new distilled. Not to mention the oceans of milk jugs you'll keep out of the landfill. The machine my store has is called Glacier.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Some grocery stores have water purifiers that you can use to refill jugs you may already have. The one at my store has an RO system, UV radiation, and charcoal filter. It's only 41 cents a gallon to refill vs 1-2 bucks to buy new distilled. Not to mention the oceans of milk jugs you'll keep out of the landfill. The machine my store has is called Glacier.

excellent tip, Terri
I get water for my two little pitcher plants at those machines