Water specifics
 

Are there any recommended specifics as to what water fo orchids should consist of?
I just received a water analysis and most of the terms are foreign to me. Like what is 5.56 gpg Chloride or 15.7 gpg Bicarbonate Alkalinity? Or Cations and Anions? I have 4.21 gpg Sodium + Potassium under Cations. I mean all this stuff is for human consumption but what about orchids?

Fred

As you wait for responses .. let me direct you to Ray's site for water supplies - Water Supplies

Wow! There is quite a bit of information on First Rays' Free Info

I'm putting that link into my favorites but it still doesn't answer my questions about what particular orchids like in their water. I'm in the process of considering adding an RO system.

I am no expert on water quality or plant nutrition, but look at this a bit more broadly.

To me, the important things are pH and the overall solids content, and the latter is not a huge factor to some plants, while it is to others. Stuff like chlorine is OK, as it evaporates relatively rapidly. If the chlorine is in your water in the form of chloramines, that's apparently a whole different story.

I shoot for a pH in the upper-5's to low-6's, and use RO water, relying on the fertilizer to add all mineral nutrients.

Yeah, I agree with Ray. Chloromine are a more persistent form of chlorine like is used in hot tubs, swimming pools, and a few municiple water supplies. It is used because it doesn't readily evaporate and would be potentially harmful to the plants over time. I am more concerned with the sodium, though. Is your water going through a softener by chance? The no question an RO unit would aid in a lot of things. The water makes better-tasting drinks like tea or coffee, cool-aid, etc. There would be less water stains in the sink if you have iron. And orchids take to it with relish.

:scratchhead: Relish .. what's wrong with pickles ?
Do they also take to it with mayo or ketchup, too?
:coverlaugh:
( Sorry, Ross .. but, that my friend, was too good to pass up ;) )

The minute I hit the "Submit Reply" button I said to myself - "now for Dorothy's reply!" :biggrin: :rofl: Good one though ;)

I don't have any orchid relish either but I do have a well which has 38.5% Sulphuric Acid injected for the irrigation system whence also comes my orchid water.

I had a terrible amount of white calcium residue all over my garden funiture, the green fence and my plants while my Zoysia grass was slowly dying from whatever came out of the ground. A local nursery directed me to their water specialist who then tested the water and installed the injection system. The grass is much better now and the calcium deposits are minimal. My Ph is now around 6.3 according to what my injection meter says but this latest analysis claims 7.2.
My orchids still have a slight white residue which is visible mostly on dark and large Phal leaves. I can't even see it on light green oncidiums.

Still, my orchids are no where near what I see others have who use either city water or have RO systems.

I have also been very neglectful as I didn't really have a good growth area for my orchids. That is resolved and I now even have a nice large roofed potting table where I can finally store all my orchid supplies and do some needed repotting.

The guy from the water testing company says I have excellent water which he wishes he had from his well but I still don't know what all the numbers mean. Like what is gpg? Google gives me explanations from Global Public Good to Gary P. Gilroy.

I want to learn but can't find the sources. Is 5.56 gpg Chloride good or bad? Is 18.01 gpg hardness to hard? How does one get behind the numbers when it comes to orchid growth. My house water is softened and filtered and really has nothing to do with the irrigation system water.

Fred

Fred, the white buildup is very likely carbonates of calcium and magnesium, suggesting pretty hard water. However, one statement you made doesn't make sense:
The folks who have RO systems should show no buildup whatsoever, unless they are really loading it up with fertilizer.

I would guess that gpg is grains per gallon

Aha, grains per gallon makes sense. What I was saying about the orchids of other people at the Naples Orchid Society is that mine don't even compare. Every meeting there is like a great big orchid show as they bring their babies in for judging against each other. Of course, they don't have any white spots on them. I can only assume that most have better water sources then I and/or that they grow their orchids in a better environment. I'm trying to get there which is why I'm asking all these questions. Presently I have only two orchids in bloom out of over 100. I'm busy repotting as most roots are climbing all over their pots.

My water hardness is measured at 18.01 gpg with a compensated hardness of 18.33 gpg. How does that compare with what it should be?

fred

Fred,

Take a look at the "Primer on Plant Nutrition" by Bill Argo, PhD, the guy who came up with the MSU fertilizers, that I have on my free info page, particularly the segment on water quality.

For one, Bill mentions that gpg is an outdated measurement equal to 17.1 ppm. That means your water supply is starting at around 300 ppm, and as hardness is usually expressed in terms of CaCO3, it means your water has fairly high alkalinity.

It's interesting that "alkalinity" - the measure of the amount of acid it take to lower the pH to a certain level - is stronger than pH itself. For example, he states that an alkalinity level of 50 ppm is equivalent to a pH of 11!

The only problem with human consumption of RO water is that RO water has a lower pH than we truly need. Our bodies are slightly alkaline, around 7.4 I think, so we need to consume higher pH liquids. Ionized water (higher alkaline level, higher O2 levels) is best for us to consume for numerous reasons.

High acidic levels in the body is the number one cause of chronic inflammation... and chronic inflammation is the number one cause of every disease known to man.

I would refrain from drinking RO water unless absolutely necessary. It's not quite as bad (acidic) as a soda, which is around 3.0 or less. It takes something like 700 cups of pH 7 alkaline water to negate the effects of 1 cup of pH 3 soda! Stay away from acidic things at all costs....

how about water from a refrigerator filter
 

I have been doing orchids since Oct 2007 and it is a real challenge in an apartment/condo. Fortunately I have great true east exposure.
Our municipal water is probably on the soft side. I do use some that I have allowed to sit overnight to"breathe" off the chlorine but I suspect th city uses the non-volatile forms as the water does not smell of it. My refrigerator has a central water filter for the ice and a fresh water tap. These are fairly expensive and seem to be only activated charcoal (perhaps a cell of calcium salts) but no NaCl (table salt-salt)
I used to use purchased distilled water but my experience with these two forms of city water seems to be working. I just wonder if anyone has looked at theses refrigerator water filters and what they are or what they do.
Nick Cirillo