WATER, HARD: De-ionized Water for Plants

Culture Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

Article Blog   Article Index
For a few small plants one can buy the kind of water sold for steam irons in areas where the local water has a high sodium content. OD79-53
Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

More The Orchid Doctor Articles under the Heading Water, Hard

Water, Hard Comments
WATER, HARD: Causes Calcium Deposits on Cattleya Leaves The acidification of water from the hose gradually dissolves the deposits; see method described, A69-126; A71-609 0
WATER, HARD: Characteristics The critical factor is the soluble salt content; over 150 ppm. of calcium carbonate (CaCo/3) is hard, soap does not produce good lather; waters with less than 125 ppm. are excellent; up to 500 ppm. are all right; 500 to 800 are usable with caution. F80-8 0
WATER, HARD: Deposits on Tree-fern Rafts To dissolve these use a little nitric acid at pH of 4.0 to 4.5; add a few drops of dilute nitric acid to a plastic bucket of water and soak the rafts for 1/2 hour. A75-680 0
WATER, HARD: Devices Available for Removing the Cause There is no simple device for removing calcium and magnesium from tap water; water-softeners create water unsuitable for orchids; demineralization units are expensive; paphiopedilums grow in limestone soils and are not harmed by "hard" water; possible to acidify hard water with citric or nitric acids. A72-204 0
WATER, HARD: High in Calcium and Magnesium Salts Its nature and characteristics and suitability for growing; has high electrical conductance; comments on water-softeners; refer to A67-466+; AH39 0
WATER, HARD: Near Maximum "hardness Index" If the water coats pots and plants with lime residue, perhaps rain water should be collected for periodical use; demineralizer units are expensive but laboratory models are more moderate; address given. A73-709 0
WATER, HARD: Softened with Soda Ash Do not use this on plants. A67-466; A78-812 0
WATER, HARD: With Activated Charcoal to Remove Calcium It will not work; only certain types of organic compounds are filtered out; units for doing the job properly are not cheap; best bet is to catch rainwater. A74-433 0

New Topics

  1. James W McCully asked question How to read archived articles ? in category General Discussion
  2. David George asked question recently purchased orchid - what to expect in category General Discussion
  3. Danielle Carbonneau asked question phalaenopsis, dendrochum and Odontoglossum in category Phalaenopsis
  4. Nicholas Filannino asked question Phalaenopsis William Kistler? in category General Discussion
  5. Mark Farran asked question How to open and read articles listed in category General Discussion
Ask a Question

Start a Topic

New Comments

  1. Louis Wilson commented on member plant E. alata f. alba by Louis Wilson
  2. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Phal. amabilis var. formosanum by Vickie Seibert
  3. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Rlc. Green Dragoon 'Mendenhall' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  4. Danielle Carbonneau commented on member plant Ons. Catatante 'Los Roble' by Henry Shaw
  5. Barry J Silver commented on orchid Lyon. SunCoast Pink Passion
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Phalaenopsis William Kistler?" by Nicholas Filannino
  7. Carol Holdren commented on orchid Colm. Eric Gabriel Heines
  8. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Cattleya little susie" by Juliann Eckhard
  9. Carol Holdren commented on member plant Bc. Morning Glory by Chris Siolo
  10. R .Benson commented on member plant Kir. New Hybrid (Fred Clarke) SVO9831 by R .Benson
  11. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Blooming Stenglottis Venus “jamboree “" by John Urey
  12. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Lc. Canhamiana var. coerulea 'Cobalt' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  13. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Sns. gemmata by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  14. Stefan Neher commented on topic "Orchid roots .com site?" by Mary Lane
  15. Kevin Barry commented on member plant Bul. Tammie Sue Pernas by Tony Pernas
  16. Linda Hartman commented on member plant Ctt. Final Blue by Linda Hartman
  17. Kevin Bergeson commented on member plant Paph. rothschildianum by Kevin Bergeson
  18. Carol Holdren commented on topic "recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots " by David George
  19. Michael Makio commented on orchid V. Beatrice Makio
  20. Carol Holdren commented on topic "shorter stem with less vigorous blooms" by katherine mott