Lol, no I think it's ok, but bottle water contains additives which in some cases MIGHT NOT BE OK. I use rain water or if I run out I just use the tap. But if your uncomfortable about the bottle water then just don't use it. Velleta

Katie, Lets have a bit of fun with this one, OK.

Most plants grow in dirt, and we all know just how squeaky clean that stuff is. A great number of orchids don't grow in dirt, they live attached to tee trunks, limbs, and rock faces in the jungles of the world. Jungle trees are covered with a tangled host of thriving, dying, or dead and rotting plants, in addition to all the natural deposits left there by the animals and birds that also inhabit these trees.

I have serious doubts there is anything that you could ever leave in a half full bottle of water that would stand a chance competing with what the plants naturally live in.

If you think a several day old bottle of water is too old for human consumption, then by all means share that $9.00(or so)/gal. stuff with your orchids, all of the water they are used to getting is thousands-maybe millions of years old. lol!!!

Please excuse an old man's attempt at humor.

Plants are tough, and in all my many year of growing them I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of them thrive better with "studied neglect", than with constant pampering.

If you are growing orchids, study a bit about where they naturally live and try to duplicate as much of that environment in your confined growing area as you can, and watch 'em grow. Just enjoy them, that's why God put them here.

If you can't find answers to your questions after reading back posts here and doing a bit of other research on your own, then by all means post the question. There must be thousands of years of experience hanging around here that will be more than happy to share their experiences with you. (that's how one learns) And I'll promise to go easy with the levity from now on.

Have fun with your plants.

Bill

Just don't pour sugared and flavored drinks on them!

I'm just a very paranoid orchid mother after having my last 2 orcids die... :( I keep trying but its always end up being a epic fail...

I agree with Bill. I actually have been doing this for years and it doesn't cause any harm unless like everyone said there are additives in it

Katie, We need to get down o basics. Where are you located? What kind of growing conditions--where is your light coming from? (south, east, west, north facing window?--listed here in order of preference for growing orchids.) Can you put the plants outside in summer? And, oh, by the way what kind of orchids, and how many? And possibly the most important item of all is where are you getting your plants from?

These are all critical questions that someone will need to know in order to give you good culture info.

I know you are probably saying what difference does it make (where have I heard that before?) where I purchase my plants from, but if you are buying from a grocery or other big box store, and are not getting the plants within a week of delivery day you may be actually purchasing dead plants to start with. I have seen too many stores get the plants in wet, and the first thing they do is set them in trays and water them. Within a week root rot is setting in, and only a well experienced grower would be able to repot and save them.

Give us more info.

Bill

I don't entirely agree with Bill regarding the big box store plants since I've rescued quite a few of their past-bloom, nearly dead Phals and brought them back very easily (within a couple months). I'm not an expert by any means, just read a lot before touching my plants or making adjustments.

I do agree that having plants sit in moss is nearly always the kiss of death unless you are the type to only water once a month. Orchids, in general, like air. Lots and lots of air, some light, and a bit of water.

When I worked for 20 years, all my plants got whatever water was left over before we left the office. Now, sometimes a find a bottle in the car or garage and it goes on my plants. Water is water. I wouldn't drink week-old water, but the plants appreciate it. I also discovered they love sparkling water. Don't worry about it. Also, a little sugar doesn't hurt at all. If you have a bottle with a little soda left, fill the rest with water. They love it and gives them a boost.

BTW, I agree with Suza. I've had tons of big-box over the years. I take half dead, or almost dead, Phals from local businesses and put them in rehab. Doesn't make a bit of difference where they came from. They grow, flower and give someone joy.

Jane