Using condenser dryer water

[fleetyfeet]

I just bought some fertiliser (Orchid Focus 'Grow' and 'Bloom') which I had been intending on using on my new orchids. However, on the bottle, it says that one should use 'clean soft water, ideally rainwater'. I had been using tap water for my phal before I bought the new ones. I don't want to mess with fertiliser as I know the type of water changes the nutrient availability.

So I was wondering if condenser dryer water 'counts' as soft water because it has been evaporated and collected? I don't have the facilities to get a RO system going or to collect rainwater. Or should I go to the shops and buy distilled?

[bil]

I don't see why not. However someone else might be able to put forward a reason why you shouldn't.

In theory, evaporation and condensation should give you water as pure as an RO unit. My only concern would be if volatiles from the clothes, eg softener got mixed in.

In the meantime, get yourself some distilled water and use that.

[jcec1]

I just use tap water and have never had any problems. What are you growing?

[fleetyfeet]

Thank you, bil! I really want to do what's best for my orchids with the resources I have.

jcec1, that's good to hear. I'm very paranoid, so that's reassuring. I'm growing Cymbidium erythrostylum, Pleurothallis palliolata, Camaridium meleagris and a noID Phalaenopsis.

[Leafmite]

The condensed water would be fine. If you have decent tap water, it shouldn't hurt to use it with the fertilizer.

[jcec1]

That's a nice collection. I haven't grown any of the species that you listed, so can't say if tap water is good or bad. It may be worth asking the nursery (Burnhams?) for their opinion.

[Ray]

Then fact is that all orchids do best with a purer water source, since that's closest to what they have evolved with. However, unless yours is particularly mineral-laden, it should be fine, as well. If you can mix the tap water with the condensate, so much the better.

[PaphMadMan]

As long as the condenser, collection container, etc. are all clean this is distilled pure water. It doesn't get any softer than that. Tap water varies in hardness and quality tremendously, and I have no idea what would be typical in the UK. It isn't likely that it would have a major effect on nutrient availability though. The Phal is probably more tolerant of poor water quality than the others. In the US you can get water quality test results for most municipal or commercial water supplies.

[fleetyfeet]

Thanks all! Really appreciate all your input. I checked the water report for my area online and apparently it's CaCO3 250ppm, making it medium-hard water. It is also of 'very good' quality. I think I might as well use the dryer water as it's less wasteful than pouring it away.

Ray, what is the benefit of mixing the water?

[wintergirl]

My hard well water is 200 ppm and most of my orchids do fine. I use distilled or rain water for the rest. If you mix it dilutes the hardness.