| Q I would like to know about the effect of bromine on a greenhouse full of orchids.
I have put a spa in my greenhouse and I am concerned that the water-treatment chemicals
will have a detrimental effect on my plants. A I have no direct experience with this, but plenty of people grow orchids in their enclosed pool areas as well as in areas with spas. Bromine is in the same class of compounds as chlorine, which is harmful to orchids in high-enough concentrations. My guess is that if your spa is designed to minimize condensation dripping, it should be all right. If enough water were to condense on the roof, however, it could serve as the carrier of the bromine to the orchids. Otherwise, I doubt that the concentration in the atmosphere would be enough to harm the plants. — Ned Nash |
Reprinted, with permission, from "Orchids" - The Magazine of the American Orchid Society, February 2001.