What about water quality? Beginner question

[wintergirl]

If you change your media, it should not be that much of a problem. If you are worried change your pot every few years.

[Ray]

The simple fact is that orchids in nature tend to only be exposed to very pure water - analyses of the rainfall cascading down through the forest canopy shows it to be 15-25 ppm TDS, but only at the first of the rain, as it is washed by pure water almost immediately. It seems to me that, as they likely evolved in that environment, they will do better if we try to mimic that in captivity, as well.

I switched to using RO water about 20 years ago, and I'll never go back. I add a small amount (25-30 ppm N, ~125-150 ppm TDS) at every watering to apply nutrition and to stabilize the pH.

I sell a lot of RO systems, and without exception, within a couple of months of switching to using it, every person remarks how much healthier their plants appear to be.

[Ray]

As to the repotting situation for eliminating mineral buildup, I think that waiting even a few years is too infrequent. Some of the best growers I have ever met repot their plants annually.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Ray

As to the repotting situation for eliminating mineral buildup, I think that waiting even a few years is too infrequent. Some of the best growers I have ever met repot their plants annually.

Are you talking repot as in change the media, I agree on that. But change the pot itself every year? Seems extreme.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Are you talking repot as in change the media, I agree on that. But change the pot itself every year? Seems extreme.

I meant the medium, but I usually change the pot at the same time. (I do use plastic a lot, so it's not that costly.)