Water temperature for watering orchids

[amstutz1]

I have a five gallon hot water heater in my greenhouse (11 x 16') and use a mixing valve to keep the temp around seventy degrees F. The five gallons are depleted in a few minutes of watering and I then use 50-60 degree water directly from our well. I would like to remove the heater or replace it with a larger capacity. I would like some advice about which way to go. Thanks!
Michael

[Bolero]

What are you growing exactly? I water mine with whatever the temperature is that comes out of the tap. I am guessing my water comes out a little warmer than yours in winter but I would think 50F would be warm enough except for Phals.

[amstutz1]

We grow many subtypes including a few paphs. The vandas get watered daily and the others as needed. We move many of the orchids to our deck/pergola for the summer and they are watered with well water (not heated) and they do really well. Thanks!
Mike

[Hummer344]

During the summer I use what ever comes out of the spigot. During the winter I temper the tap water so it isn't bone cold.

[Dihcro]

I water mine at rougly 65-70 degrees. I've read multiple places to water with lukewarm water, but I'm not sure exactly how hot or cold lukewarm is. But in a tropical environment where orchids live, I'm pretty sure the the rain would be warm-ish.

[E-Jag]

I've seen a number of posts on this forum recommending that orchids be watered with warm water. I've no idea why, but typically don't bother with it myself. Like Hummer, I keep it warm enough to avoid shocking the roots, which is about tap temperature.

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Dihcro

I water mine at rougly 65-70 degrees. I've read multiple places to water with lukewarm water, but I'm not sure exactly how hot or cold lukewarm is. But in a tropical environment where orchids live, I'm pretty sure the the rain would be warm-ish.

Recent air temps have ranged from 65-105F. Today, we had rain w/an air temp of ~ 65 on the ground. The rain was undoubtedly considerably cooler considering the source was a few thousand feet higher.....

ALL of my orchids are currently outdoors.

[katrina]

As long as the water is not bone chilling cold/freezing...I doubt it matters all that much. No, I can do one better...I have been watering tropical plants for over 30yrs now and I have never used (intentionally anyway) warm water and in all those years I've never lost a plant due to the water temperature when I water.

When everyone is outside...they get hit w/the hose. During the winter (everyone inside), I do adjust the bone chilling cold out of the water but it's still not what could/would be deemed as warm.

The rain may be a bit warmer in the tropics due to the fact that rain clouds are produced at lower elevations (can be anyway) but I have a feeling the rain still isn't "warm". Admittedly that is a guess as I have never been to the tropics...so I could be wrong.

[Orchidementia]

I use warm water only because I have to carry it out in buckets to the porch and the warm water is more pleasant to splash on me . By the time it's pumped out of the sprayer, it's probably tepid to cool. I do take hot water out in the winter; again, it goes through a pump sprayer and is probably just not really cold when it comes out. Since they get rained on in the winter here, I doubt the plants care much one way or the other.

[orchids4me]

Hi,
I just adjust the water temp by touch its still cool, I just barely ad warm water to take the nip or edge off of the water if its chilly to the touch.
Emmaye

[orchids4me]

Oh I forgot,
The touch test doesn't work if your are a line cook or chef or... Work with steam as in dry cleaners. I have done both cook and dry cleaners in my past and the steam and burners/flames/heat de sensitizes your hands I had to use my foot and above my elbow to not scald my self in the shower before lol.
Emmaye

[Bolero]

I just use cold water from the tap and it doesn't damage the plant in any way.

I once asked a friend (scientist) who grows orchids what he thinks of people warming water before using it and I won't tell you the abrupt response I got in regard to that. He clearly didn't see any benefit.