water types

[VMStearns]

i have been told distilled water is disastrous for plants as it actually sucks the nutrients out of the roots.

That is indeed a strange statement because rain water is naturally distilled water. It will pick up particulates in the evaporation/cloud/rain cycle, but I'm pretty certain that the majority of those particulates in a city would be pollutants.

I definitely agree with Subrosa, you should run (not walk) quickly away from who ever gave this advice.

[mrphilips]

ok folks, good to know!

thank you for confirming

[VMStearns]

Actually, I think it is funny that someone would advise against distilled water for orchids.

If you think about it, rain water is naturally distilled water. Evaporation, condensation in the cooler atmosphere that forms clouds, rain when the atmosphere cools to the point that it can no longer support the moisture content in the clouds.

This is what naturally nourishes orchids in the wild!

The real danger would be in rain water captured in an urban, industrialized area because of the particulates the rain picks up as it forms and falls.

I personally prefer Distilled Water because it is more likely to mimic what a species orchid received before it was exported to a commercial grower for replication or hybridization.

IMHO of course!

[mrphilips]

it all makes sense, i know. i bought a few special orchids that were doing great and that is what the grower told me.

but i'm glad i had doubts past him and the chemistry prof too. in fact this website has been great all around.
thanks friends

[GeorgiaVL]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Water chemistry is a big part of my job, and I have a highly sensitive bs detector, but I'm no orchid expert. I will go out on a limb and guess that the person had a solution to your problem for sale. I'm with you on the illegality of rainwater collection. If I lived where someone had the temerity to tell me what I can and can't do with the rain that hits my roof, I'd move. It wouldn't be the first time I did so because of a stupid law. The reason I left NJ was that one night I went to sleep as a reasonably law-abiding citizen, and then woke up the next day as a felon.

[james mickelso]

I am in the wqater industry and distilled water does not leach out any thing. He's full of it. I have used distilled water for years and it is wonderful as long as you add minerals to it. But I would think Toronto would have wonderful water. Catching rain water a criminal act? The criminals are the ones passing those asinine laws. Elect someone with more sense before everything you do becomes illegal. Subrosa...I fee the pain. I too became a felon overnight while sleeping. Vote. That's how we get rid of the idiots. Vote.

[mrphilips]

Minerals... do you use the epsom salts? What would you suggest

[Ray]

Plants need more than magnesium and sulfur. Use a decent fertilizer in dilute concentrations, and your plants will be adequately fed.

As to the subject of this thread, there was an article published in the January AOS "Orchids" magazine on this very subject. It was written by one of my favorite authors, so I have a PDF of it posted on my "Free Info" page.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I am in the wqater industry and distilled water does not leach out any thing. He's full of it. I have used distilled water for years and it is wonderful as long as you add minerals to it. But I would think Toronto would have wonderful water. Catching rain water a criminal act? The criminals are the ones passing those asinine laws. Elect someone with more sense before everything you do becomes illegal. Subrosa...I fee the pain. I too became a felon overnight while sleeping. Vote. That's how we get rid of the idiots. Vote.

Voting is better than doing nothing, but getting involved is a better solution. Talk directly to those perpetrating the madness, and get others involved!

[mrphilips]

thanks for the pdf - very informative