Water quality for Masdevallia Kimbelliana and Restrepia lankesteriana

[Kaykay]

I've just jumped into the pleurothallid world, with the above named orchids. I just had a quick question about water quality. If my tap water is OK for my Miltoniopsis (which are fairly sensitive to these sorts of things) am I right in thinking that this Masdevallia and Restrepia will be OK too, or are they more sensitive than a Mltps? I'm prepared to buy distilled water, but my first choice would obviously be the stuff from my tap
Thanks!
Kay
x

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm hesitant to give you a definite answer on the comparison between the tolerance of the Miltoniopsis and the Pleurothallids you mentioned in regards to dissolved mineral content in the water.

Different species of Pleurothallids have different tolerance levels to dissolved minerals in the water. And Pleurothallids are not Miltoniopsis (obviously). I've never really thought about making such a cross comparison, so I can't say for sure.

But generally, they're fairly sensitive to it.

I wouldn't use the tap. Unless you have a meter that tests for this (there're some available for sale), I wouldn't trust the tap water.

Then there's the issue of chlorine.

It can be very frustrating to recover a Pleurothallid from damage that has occurred as a result of high dissolved minerals in the water and chlorine.

[Kaykay]

Thanks for the advice! I considered the cross comparison purely because Mltps are also so sensitive to mineral build up in water, and the common high-altitude South American forest habitat. I'll stick with distilled just to be safe.
Kay