Water purity question
 

I've been reading, on a paph blog, about testing water for impurities with a TDS meter since the writer of this blog found that watering orchids with water treated with reverse osmosis (RO) produced better and "happier" plants. I have well water (I live in rural Maine) and know I have high iron in the water. I have a special system for filtering it out if I use a de-rusting additive but I think the de-rusting additive adds sodium. Should I test my water (there's no chlorine as far as I know)? If so, can I do it with an inexpensive ($20) TDS meter or should I get a more thorough test using professional resources? And should I get an RO system?

Karen

I find the simpiliest is a bucket outside my door while it is raining. My orchids love rainwater(melted snow in winter.) They are happy and I am happy because I do not have to worry about the quality of the water.

I think that if you get the correct fertilizers that are made for hardwater your plants will be happier then if you are just using regular fertilizers. TDS (total dissolved solids) pens give a reading of all the solids in your water, it is not broken down into different categories. EC works in a similar way, both measure the solids in water, just use a different scale of reference, sort of like inches and centimeters. The more expensive test will tell you exact what is in your water in parts per million. The inexpensive pen will only give you a total reading, not as precise as the expensive one. hope this clarifies things for you a bit.

Hi Karen, Your going to drive yourself crazy if read what everyone thinks about water. I speak from experience. When it's all said and done, the best thing to do is use distilled water or RO.(Or move to the rain forest your plants came from:biggrin:)
If your current water system is introducing salts into the water your using for your plants, STOP using it. Can you tap into your supply before the water gets through the softener? If so, you should be ok as long as you flush with plain water monthly. The salts will build up to toxic concentrations for your plants over a period of time.

Firstrays.com has a great and simple explanation of water quality, if haven't read it already.

I'm in the Northeast (upstate NY) and I use well water (un-treated)and MSU fertilizer for well water and my 'chids do ok.
Good luck, Bill

I have well water and I have just started to collect and use rainwater. My intention is to use it exclusively on orchids. Just in the time I have been using it (about 2 weeks) I can see they they are looking better. I have an RO system and my intent was to use it but it waste so much water that I decided to go with rainwater.

I am assuming you already use the rust remover? I would cease using it for the plants. The iron shouldn't harm Paphs or Phrags or most other orchids. Masdies or Dracs might not like high minerals, however. Just flush the pots regularly so that there is a minimal buildup. If need-be, you could buy bottled distilled or RO water and mix it with the well water to reduce the mineral content.

I'll add to Ross' comment by saying that if the iron removal adds sodium chloride, absolutely do not use it for your plants!

I agree Henry since I have used rainwater, I have noticed an amazing difference in my plants. They are happier. I collect the water outside and put it in a large dispensing jug(like you would carry to a picnic) and the water is there at room temperature when I need it.

I use rainwater as long as we have a supply, when the dry period comes AUG/Sept/Oct I use RO.

To catch a good amount of rainwater I use a farm 350 gal stock tank hooked up the downspout with a lid, a normal rain will fill it. I then gravety feed the water to the two 55 gallon tanks in the greenhouse for the watering system.

Does anyone here use a Brita water system for their orchids? I was just wonder if that might be a cheap and convenent solution. We have great tap water where I live, but still, it's tap water with choline, cholomines, floride and who knows what else.