Hi from Pennsylvania!

[dekeesee]

I have had orchids as houseplant 'pets' for about 25 years and had a few paphs in the mix. I learned a hard lesson when I moved into this house with a water treatment system that included a water softener. I lost 90% of my plants. Now I have some paphs and neo finetias and a few phals. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can!

 

[Linus_Cello]

Which part of PA? Near Philly?

 

[dekeesee]

Yes, Kennett Square.

 

[abax]

Welcome to ST from KY.

 

[LadySlipper]

Welcome to ST. Nice to have you here!
Sorry about losing your orchids.
Did you get your water supply figured out?

 

[cnycharles]

Greetings from south jersey! I work not far from you in Landenberg

 

[richgarrison]

I have had orchids as houseplant 'pets' for about 25 years and had a few paphs in the mix. I learned a hard lesson when I moved into this house with a water treatment system that included a water softener. I lost 90% of my plants. Now I have some paphs and neo finetias and a few phals. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can!

Very sorry to hear about your losses.

But welcome from the SouthEastern Pa Orchid Society (SEPOS). We have a few members from your area that join us on the second wed of the month in phoenixville. (www. sepos.org) Lots of opportunities to re-populate your collection from member divisions etc…. Bunches of great growers, great show table, and downright nice people . .

We welcome you to the fold!

 

[tnyr5]

One of us! One of us! One of us! One of us!

 

[dekeesee]

Welcome to ST. Nice to have you here!
Sorry about losing your orchids.
Did you get your water supply figured out?

I am using distilled water now. We did install a reverse osmosis tank, but after a filter failure that allowed salt to permeate, I will probably buy a distiller. I go through about 1.5 to 2 gallons per week in the winter

 

[dekeesee]

Very sorry to hear about your losses.

But welcome from the SouthEastern Pa Orchid Society (SEPOS). We have a few members from your area that join us on the second wed of the month in phoenixville. (www. sepos.org) Lots of opportunities to re-populate your collection from member divisions etc…. Bunches of great growers, great show table, and downright nice people . .

We welcome you to the fold!

Thank you! I am interested!

 

[abax]

Ray, I wonder if your gadget might help him with his water problems. I can't recall the name of the system right now.
If dekeesee only uses two gallons or so, the gadget might work wonderfully well.

 

[Duck Slipper]

Welcome from Kentucky!

 

[Ray]

I have had orchids as houseplant 'pets' for about 25 years and had a few paphs in the mix. I learned a hard lesson when I moved into this house with a water treatment system that included a water softener. I lost 90% of my plants. Now I have some paphs and neo finetias and a few phals. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can!

You can probably just use water from BEFORE the softener, although I used RO when I lived in Doylestown.

An RO system is really all you need, and is far easier to deal with than a still. If you had breakthrough, you simply didn't maintain it properly - replace the sediment every 6 months, carbon filters every 12, and membrane every 24.

If you need replacement parts, I am a reseller of RO stuff, so reach out and we'll see how to get you operational again.. The device Angela was referring to is a Counter-Top RO system that you can use to fill jugs with pure water, then put it away until you need it again.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Soft water kills orchids! Hard lesson ….

Welcome to your new life here!