flushing pots with tap water ?

[Evendozen]

I don't want to flush pots { in bark} with the distilled water that I use for regular watering. My tap water is hard , near 300 ppm. Should I use it for flushing monthly ? My way of thinking is it's better to flush with the tap water than not at all.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I really can't answer your question, but do understand your problem. I am mixing my RO with my tap to try and save water. Not sure what my tap is but I do know it's hard also. I need to get one of those counter top RO systems.

[Ray]

In my opinion, the way watering should be done is to flood the pot with water containing a very small amount of fertilizer every time you water. In essence, flushing every time.

[Roberta]

Depends a lot on what makes up that TDS... if there is significant sodium, there could be problems. If it's mainly calcium bicarbonate or calcium sulfate it's much less of an issue.

For most of the orchids that you're likely to have, 300 ppm tap water is no problem at all if the TDS is just "hardness" - calcium and magnesium. I have been growing a wide range of orchids for years with only city water (usually around 250 ppm but sometimes well over 300 ppm). But I know that's mostly calcium bicarbonate. There are some species that are picky about total water quality, but most orchids, especially the hybrids, are pretty forgiving at those levels.

[Evendozen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Depends a lot on what makes up that TDS... if there is significant sodium, there could be problems. If it's mainly calcium bicarbonate or calcium sulfate it's much less of an issue.

For most of the orchids that you're likely to have, 300 ppm tap water is no problem at all if the TDS is just "hardness" - calcium and magnesium. I have been growing a wide range of orchids for years with only city water (usually around 250 ppm but sometimes well over 300 ppm). But I know that's mostly calcium bicarbonate. There are some species that are picky about total water quality, but most orchids, especially the hybrids, are pretty forgiving at those levels.

Then the cal-mag in the tap water should be a boon to the phals. I won't stress over the tap water then. These are all noIDs but I still try to take care of them the same way I would if they were really expensive.

---------- Post added at 01:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

In my opinion, the way watering should be done is to flood the pot with water containing a very small amount of fertilizer every time you water. In essence, flushing every time.

I basically do just that. Occasionally they get a few minutes of soaking inside a container depending on how dry the bark is.?

[jkofferdahl]

Once again I agree completely with Ray.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Once again I agree completely with Ray.

Uh oh. The end of time is upon us.

[gingersmommy]

I've wondered the same thing. I fertilize weakly each time I water (soaking each approx. 5 min.), however, it is okay to flush with tap water once a month?

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Ray

In my opinion, the way watering should be done is to flood the pot with water containing a very small amount of fertilizer every time you water. In essence, flushing every time.

I agree. That is the way I do it. I fill gallon jugs with water with the mild fertilizer and keep them handy. I've never watered with ro or distilled unless I was growing in sh., and although I know my water is hard things have never gone wrong as a result of using water from my tap. It's well water, and I know it is hard water but again, no problems here.

[bil]

Originally Posted by gingersmommy

I've wondered the same thing. I fertilize weakly each time I water (soaking each approx. 5 min.), however, it is okay to flush with tap water once a month?

If the ferts are weak enough.. (I use 25ppm N) then you don't need to flush, just water well each time as Ray says.