During the discussion on fogging, Oliver Sparrow mentioned the importance of
water temperature for irrigation water. In my greenhouse I use municipal
supply tapwater which comes from our local river and has proved useable (low
mineral content). The only downside has been that during frigid winter
weather the tapwater temperature drops to about 45°F. Watering with such
cold water was alarming to me and required early morning watering before the
orchids had a chance to warm, and still I occasionally experienced leaf
damage and bud drop in some plants. To rectify this, a couple years ago I
installed a thermostatic mixing valve on the supply water to the greenhouse.
The mixing valve mixes the cold supply water with water from a water
heater and the temperature is controlled by a mechanical thermostat, all in
a neat brass package measuring 3 x 3 inches. I purchased the mixing valve
from an on-line internet source and chose the model with a temperature range
between 70°F and 110°F and keep it set on 70°F. I believe the unit is
manufactured in Sweden. Purchase price was $65 (US). Installation, which I
did myself, required a check valve on the cold supply and use of my home
water heater. Installing a thermostatic mixing valve was inexpensive
compared to installing a new water heater just for the greenhouse plus no
greenhouse space was needed for a heater or for water storage.
Happy growing,
Ed Merkle
Merkle's Orchids
1008 Maplewood Place
Nashville, Tennessee 37216
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