Water temperature for watering orchids

[amstutz1]

I am replacing my greenhouse with a larger one. I have used a five gallon hot water tank for the past ten years but usually run out of warm water about half way thru watering the plants. Our water temperature from our well is about 52 degrees F. I am debating whether to eliminate the hot water heater or replace it with a larger one. I would appreciate others opinions.
Mike

[RosieC]

I think the answer to that question can depend on what you are growing and what phase of their growth they are in.

For example I water phals over winter with the cold tap water, but in early spring I start using luke-warm water to encorage new growth, then in late spring summer I go back to whatever temp comes out the tap (warmer of course than in the winter).

However on Masda I always use cold water no matter what because Masda are colder growing plants.

[Ray]

I think you'll find that phals will do much better with warmed water year-round. They, and some others, will shut down growth if chilled, and can display leaf damage, as well.

I have a large tank for RO, and have a 400W aquarium heater in it, keeping the water at 70°F.

[jrodpad]

Great thread - thanks for the original question. I've always wondered the same thing - particularly in light of the garden-center advice to water with a few ice cubes!!! I would have to think that would shock the root system.

Does the same thing generally hold true for other genera? Rosie likes cold for her cold growing masdies, but what do folks generally do for dends, oncs, cats, etc.?

Thanks.

- J

[RosieC]

Mine do shut down growth in the winter, but then I also keep them between 15C and 19C over the winter.

I think really what I was trying to say is that some plants would like it cooler than others. I never warm water for Masdas for example.

[RosieC]

Most genera that like warm air temps will grow well with warmed water.

I work on the principle that my Masda like cold because they are a colder growing genera. I would guess the same is true of other warm growing genera.

[Hedge]

I always use room temperature water on all my plants, which are from many and varied parts of the world. In my greenhouse I water from the rainwater butt when it has been stood in the sun, or I transfer it to a watering can and stand that in the greenhouse on the staging for a few hours before use. I find a metal can is good for this because it conducts heat quickly.

How far north are you? Do you have to heat the greenhouse for your plants? I would have thought a tank in the house would be at ambient and therefore warm enough?

[amstutz1]

I live in USA Pennsylvania (zone 6) I heat the greenhouse in winter. The temp from my well is 55 degrees F. This is the water we use all summer for fifty plus orchids and they seem to thrive. I can collect rain water. I also considered putting a large drum in the greenhouse and allowing the water to come to room temp before watering. I want to get rid of the five gallon hot water heater as a waste of energy and only good for a few of the plants before it is empty of warm water.
Thanks!
Mike

[dounoharm]

i use the water right out of the hose for my plants....they seem to do well during the winter, phals and all...i water in the mornings only, and wait till the sun hits the gh and warms it up.....nite temps are 55 degrees...i grow an assortment of cool and warm plants....

[amstutz1]

Thanks all!
Mike