Recycled Rainwater? - Orchid Board

Bmorepaph · #1 02-20-2008, 10:07 AM

Hey guys. I water my orchids on a moisture tray using rainwater. When I water I fill the SH pots all the way up to the top of the primeagra. Upon finishing the moisture tray is obviously filled with about a gallon or so of water and must be drained imediately. Is this water ok to use over at least once provided that any fertilzers are compatible with my other orchids?

Royal · #2 02-20-2008, 11:12 AM

I'd advise against it. It may not cause any problems, but fungal, bacterial, or viral issues could spread fast. I reuse some to hit my other houseplants, but not my spoiled little chids.

Ray · #3 02-20-2008, 11:28 AM

I agree 100%

Royal · #4 02-20-2008, 11:41 AM

Wow! Ray concurs with ME? I must be coming up in the orchid world!

jane · #5 03-23-2008, 12:03 PM

Since we talking of rain water here, can we use snow water of course at room temp. since it is also a condensate like rain but in frozen state? Since these frozen delight are all over here scoop it out settle it at room temp. and you have pretty clean water. Guys can it be???????

jane · #6 03-23-2008, 12:04 PM

Sorry no intension of snatching thread.

Ray · #7 03-23-2008, 01:00 PM

Why not? It's just frozen rain water.

Des · #8 03-23-2008, 01:37 PM

You could sterilize the water either by using chemicals or passing it through a uv sterilizer , Would I do it ? well maybe if i was growing my plants in the middle of the Sahara dessert where it does not rain for years on end. I have had virus in some of my plants and is not funny having to destroy old friends, so take some good advice and just dont do it

lilricky · #9 03-23-2008, 03:37 PM

Ok,
This leaves me with another question. When I water/fertilize(W/msu) I place the plants in a big tub. I then I flush with the mixture. After a few gallons I refill the milk jugs and do some more plants, and so on and so on until they are all watered. I use the same process when flushing the plants with plain RW. Whatever water/fertilizer is left goes to the other houseplants, or to fill the humidity trays?. So if I'm reading this thread right, this will be detrimental to the health of my orchids? FWIW, I dont grow anything SH or otherwise.(so maybe this isn't the right forum to ask)

Royal · #10 03-24-2008, 11:11 AM

lilricky, I think the main point is to not re-use water that has passed through any pot of any plant on another orchid. Filling humidity trays with it would be fine (since the pots & roots will never be allowed to sit in this water, right?). However, you will be feeding the algae that's growing in the trays. I'd use it to water that fern next to your growing rack or other potted plants with conventional roots, just not your orchids.