Flushing with tap water

[monivik]

Originally Posted by marcoeverard

Hi. I am brand new to semi hydro and have done what I was warned not to and connverted almost everything to semi-hydro. My orchids have been struggling and seem to be either too dry or too wet so I thought I didnt have much to lose. The Phrags are already showing good root growth after a few weeks so at least they like it. I am wondering if it is ok to fluh the pots regularly with tap water which is a little on te hard side and then flush with feed and rainwater every 4th or 5th time? I don't have enough rainwater to use just for regular flushing so either I need gto use tap water or get a RO unit and i would rather not at least until I see how they are doing? Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find an answer I love the idea of S/H as I am not always at the orchid house property and being able to leave them occaisonally with a reservoir of water will suit my lifestyle. Any suggestions on what feed to use would be great too. I am in the UK and have been using rainmix but wonder if something else would be better if they are not being fed at every watering.

Hi. This has nothing to do with S/H, but you asked about watering and using hard tap water. Well, I don't know if you've seen this video? But I think it's quite interesting, because this guy waters all his orchids with hard tap water. He also uses fertilizer.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by monivik

But I think it's quite interesting, because this guy waters all his orchids with hard tap water. He also uses fertilizer.

Don’t overlook the fact that not all “tapwater” sources are the same.

NYC water is about as close to pure as you’re going to ever see. It typically runs from 30 to 50 ppm. My water here in southeastern NC is typically about 60 ppm, but then they add about 50 ppm calcium.

By contrast, the municipal water we had when I lived outside Louisville KY was known locally as “liquid concrete”.