Pure water? - Page 3 - Orchid Board

flhiker · #21 10-10-2007, 12:54 AM

Hi all, UPDATE: I have been watering 2 phal seedling, 2 Dendro's, 1 Onc. and 1 Cattleya with the water from my A/C for a month now with NO problems, All are doing well. I will use it on all of my Plants now.(Orchids and other)
Free Pure Water works for me

Tindomul · #22 10-10-2007, 11:53 AM

It seems to me that using this water from Aug to Oct is too short a time. You gotta ask yourself. How long would it take me to kill my orchids using diluted fertilzer if I don't rinse them at least once a month? I would assume it would take up to a year for fert salts to build up enough to kill an orchid, so why not wait that long with your ac water? Then again, your tests were very positive. Just something to think about.

flhiker · #23 10-10-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

It seems to me that using this water from Aug to Oct is too short a time. You gotta ask yourself. How long would it take me to kill my orchids using diluted fertilzer if I don't rinse them at least once a month? I would assume it would take up to a year for fert salts to build up enough to kill an orchid, so why not wait that long with your ac water? Then again, your tests were very positive. Just something to think about.

I agree with every thing you suggested. and plan on keeping a close eye on them. I was more concerned with bacteria then with salt because I only fertilize with half strength 2 times a month and a/c or rain water in between, so I don't think salt is going to be a problem and some of them are outside where they get rain and lately a lot of it. With any luck that will wash out any salt build up. I have to say though that all the plants I have been watering with A/C water look very healthy and no signs of problems.
I post updates every now and then to keep everyone informed on how its going (good or bad).

luckygrower · #24 10-10-2007, 10:32 PM

Hi Dave,
Thanks for all your hard work and time spent on the purity of condenser water, I myself am thankfull and have learned from your experiment.Keep up the good work.
Mike

flhiker · #25 10-10-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckygrower

Hi Dave,
Thanks for all your hard work and time spent on the purity of condenser water, I myself am thankfull and have learned from your experiment.Keep up the good work.
Mike

Hey Mike, It's my pleasure! I was getting tired of paying for distilled water. And hopefully saved someone else some money too.

ddalhover · #26 02-02-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I wonder how hard it is to build oneself a water still?
Or if I can build one that is cost effective

You can distill your own water by using a pressure cooker. You also need a length of plastic tubing long enough to reach from the stovetop to the floor which has to snugly fit the steam vent. Fill the pressure cooker half full, secure the lid and slide the plastic tubing over the steam vent (where ordinarily you would put the "jiggler"). Drop the other end of the plastic tubing into a glass jar or jug on the floor. As the steam leaves the cooker it condenses in the tubing and what goes into the jug on the floor is distilled water. Be very, very careful as steam can burn you badly and very quickly.