if i'm using brita water for the orchids (as the tap water in pawtucket has lots of chlorine), are they seeing any benefit or would i only really experience a clean water benefit from using rain water or distilled water of some sort?

I once heard that Brita water was *bad* for plants, but I don't know why! Perhaps because it softens it? I'm just guessing. But, I heard that once. I have NO idea if it is true.

Has anyone else heard about this?

Brita filtration is just activated carbon as far as I know. Carbon pulls out some metals and organics, and removes chlorine. It does not reduce salts. So it is not a replacement for RO, which gets just about everything.

Unless your water is very high in chlorine it will provide only a negligable benifit to your plants.

The main reason to go to distilled or RO is to remove salts. Salty water is just as "clean" as fresh water, but bad for orchids.

Well, I'm switching back to distilled for the winter at least. Just easier to modify, and no guesswork. The recycling center loves me. :love:

I use brita water because I can't install RO or collect rain, and I'm too lazy to haul home gallons of distilled. Even with my serious underwatering habits, I go through 3-5 gallons a day and something like 20+ on the weekend. I try to flush with distilled from time to time, and that's about it.

Brita filtered water is not great but it's better - enough to be noticeable in the plants. (I'm sure it would be that much better with RO - where's the GreenwithEnvy icon?) The last time I took measurements in June:

straight tap: 285ppm 7.8 ph
post Brita: 180ppm 6.4 ph

Error margin - not sure. I used a Hanna meter.

Info from Brita's website (http://www.brita.com/benefits/benefits.shtml).

The recycling center, Heather? Don't tell me you're not using refillable containers! Or maybe they're not available in your neck of the woods. 8)

The recycling center, Heather? Don't tell me you're not using refillable containers! Or maybe they're not available in your neck of the woods. 8)

I refilled all summer w/ rain/fish water, but yeah, now I'm back to distilled and no they aren't refillable. Nor do we have townwide recycling! PITA!


You know, I OFTEN drive 20-30 min to store for distilled and they are OUT. Makes me crazy!! It has happened w/ more than one store too! :mad:

You know, I OFTEN drive 20-30 min to store for distilled and they are OUT. Makes me crazy!! It has happened w/ more than one store too! :mad:

at least out here on the coast, we have this great thing called a telephone with which one can 'call' places to ensure they have things...
:poke:

Heather, you could always use snow, I'm sure you will have plenty there soon

DOH! Snow what the hell is that? :poke: We were in the high 80's today!

Oh you're all very funny. :roll: not.

Don't start w/ me I am not in a pleasant mood this evening.
I wonder if I'll still be alive in 2091? :confused:

2091? Wow that is along time, I won't be that's for sure!

86 years IS a long time. Damn it!!
oh well, there's always the Pats - they're probably good for another year or two. Maybe?

Gotta have faith in the Pats. They started their '03 season 2-2, then won 21 in a row :-dance: