What kind of water to use?

[Mothman]

I'm a newbie to orchids and just got 2 moth orchids.

I've read that rainwater is best for water orchids...but since I dont want to have buckets of rainwater in my house, I've been using distilled water.

Is that ok for my orchids? Or should I use spring water or purified water or tap water?

Which is better?

thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Purified, rain, or distilled is fine, but you will have to use a fertilizer that is made for pure water and contains the macro minerals that includes calcium, OR, you can supplyment your good water with your tap water. Add some tap water, 20% to 30% of your fertilizer solution, or water every third or fourth time with tap water. I would prefer to add it to the fertilizer solution, as this will help keep the PH from going too low (acid). Don't use spring or drinking water, as these are not pure, they contain minerals, and you might as well use tap water as one of these. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

i water mine with unadulterated well water on the acid side, seems to work well for my crew, don't use softened water it kills.