water filters

[Marcy McPike]

Is water filtered by the Brita pitcher water filter system good for orchids?
I have a well but the water is heavy on the iron side and who knows what else. I would like to give my "kids" the purest water possible without collecting rain water. Any advice?

[Ray]

The Brita only takes out dissolved organics. It does nothing to remove dissolved inorganics such as the calcium-, magnesium-, and iron carbonates that typically make water "hard". If you want to remove them, you must go with a reverse osmosis, deionization, or distillation process.

[PocoGigio]

You could try a 'gimmick' from Charley's Greenhouse supply. It's a cartridge that attaches between the hose and the wand. It's called a calcium inhibitor and claims to stop those hard water white spots on the leaves. Been using it a couple of years and I don't have those spots any more. I use well water that has been filtered but not softened (as with salt). Never did test the water. Don't really know how and if it really works but I thought it wouldn't hurt. (Wish I took chemistry in HS!) It's about $17 plus tax and shipping and lasts 1 or 2 seasons. The chids seem happy.

[Marcy McPike]

I appreciate your input regarding the Brita water filter. I think I will stick with the well water as "is" because the "chids" appear to be happy with the status quo. I was worried about the possible long term effects on the minis. I did collect rain water last spring and stored it in containers, but the grower I bought them from expressed concern about contaminates that can grow in the water if stored for a long time. I can't count on a constant supply of fresh rain water so I stored it in plastic water containers for several months at a time. Any input on this solution?

[Ray]

If kept dark and cool, stored rainwater should be fine. As long as it will be for plants only, you can add a little Physan to be totally sure about keeping pathogens at bay.

Keep in mind that you cannot use the same fertilizer with rain water as you do with your well water, unless you can adjust the pH. Rain water - like RO, distilled, etc. - has no buffering capacity, so an "off-the-shelf" fertilizer that is OK in your well water will give an exceedingly low pH in rain water.

[NancyH]

Hi Marcy, I also have well water with lots of iron in it. I did do a ph test and it was normal, despite all the iron and mineral content. I have used the filters Ray told you about. I installed one hoping that it would solve the problem of clogged misters, but it didn't. It also did not seem to make any difference on the health of my orchids, plus with all the mineral content I have in my well water it would get clogged in a few months. It really did not help me with the mineral spots on my leaves. hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Nancy