:woohoo:

I finally decided on my orchid order and now would like to know if anyone can tell me for those of us who have a really small collection (with these new ones I now have 5 orchids). Can you get the same (basic) benefit from a brita water filter that fits on the tap or is the RO still the best way to go. I often let my water stand for at least an hour even when watering my non orchid plants.

I finally decided on
Phrag. Scarlet O'Hara
Paphiopedilum Barbi-Doll (fairieumX barbigerum)
Paphiopedilum WeatherVane (Maudiae 'The King' x philippinense alba)

I found it to be really painful trying to be disciplined enough to just settle on 3. The Phrag Scarlet is 1 or 2 yrs from flowering but I liked the flower so much I felt it was worth the wait. How big does this guy get? Kindest Regards

:woohoo: Good choice! I use regular tap water, usually mixed with rainwater and all my plants are growing just fine. Post photos of your new plants if you can.

Great job! Super slippers! :woohoo:
I would use RO,rain or bottled water.

:woohoo: Nice plants...I also use tap water and so far so good.:fcrossed:

Hi Mary,

I forgot to mention that Phrag Scarlet O'Hara is a meduim to large size plant and a gorgeous hybrid, you'll like it!

:woohoo: Barbi-Doll is on my wishlist too!

Before you decide on spending more $$ on the water system, why not ask other members of your OS and see if the tap water in your area is good enough? ;)

I use tap water that has been sitting for 3 days!

Good choices!!

I use to use the brita system,worked fine. I use R.O now and am very happy. But if you need alot of water it will cost few $$ for the system.
I store my water in a 50 gal barrel in the basement.
Nice selection of plants.

Before investing in an expensive RO system, you can get a TDS meter for under $40 from your local hydroponics shop, which should give you a good idea of the mineral content in your tapwater. In an ideal world the low 100 range is best for paphs but they will do great even up around 200 ppm in my experience. Many paphs actually thrive on the calcium and magnesium from tapwater. Just be sure you flush the pots well when you water.

Justin

I use RO water. It is fairly economical to run. I suspect there is no way the Brita can output water that's anywhere near as good.

e-spice

My experience with Brita with DC water was that I started with around 180 ppm tap water and Brita got it down to like 125ppm. Not sure if that's good enough, but it's what I found. Wasn't really worth it, considering all the water I need. I just buy some distilled for a select few plants (read: kovachii hybrids).

Ok people, direct me to the instrument to allow me to test ppm.

Congrats on your first purchases! :D
I use tap water here in Edmonton. I have a feeling you ordered from the large nursery in Calgary (Paramount orchids). I met Chuck from Paramount and bought a couple of plants too at the OSA orchid show and it was very hard to decide on what to get with such a large selection. I should have got a Phrag. Scarlet O'Hara too, it should be a beauty.

Ok people, direct me to the instrument to allow me to test ppm.

Google search for a TDS meter. You can get them for around $20.

Your local municipality will usually supply you with a basic chemical analysis on tap water. A Brita filter will remove chlorine and some other chemicals from water but a reverse osmosis system actually pushes water thru a membrane so purer H20 comes out (higher ppm concentrated waste water to drain). Both systems need maintenance (replacement filters) but RO systems are quite a bit more $. If your only using the water for a few plants, purchasing bottled water (and possibly blending some tap water as previously suggested) is the most ecomonical solution to get pure water. A good TDS meter from the hydoponics store tend to be a little more expensive and need periodic calibration.

Shaun