Filtered Water vs Tap Water

[hosh]

Hi Guys,

In the Cultivation guides in Nepenthes Database Project, there's frequent mention of using filtered water. I have been using tap water all this while and I seemed to have no problem with growth and pitchering. What are the advantages of filtered water vs tap water? I live in Penang, where the water quality is relatively good.

Thanks....hosh

[cbkhoon]

Originally Posted by hosh

Hi Guys,

In the Cultivation guides in Nepenthes Database Project, there's frequent mention of using filtered water. I have been using tap water all this while and I seemed to have no problem with growth and pitchering. What are the advantages of filtered water vs tap water? I live in Penang, where the water quality is relatively good.

Thanks....hosh

certain part of penang water has high chlorine

[NepNut]

I use tap water to water my neps everyday, so far still no ill effect.

[Durban]

When i used to use tap water, there were no ill effects on my plants. The TDS of my local water was good though, around 50. I find that if the plants get rain naturally, then this will flush out any impurities or minerals present from watering via the tap.

[arvin555]

When I first started out with CPs, I used filtered water (the ones for drinking), but after that I changed to my current system, which is:

1. Collect rain water in a big pail (almost like a garbage bin) and use that.

2. If during summer I run out of rainwater, I just fill the same container with tap water and let sit for 1 day (to dechlorinate), then use that to water.

3. If it rains, then no need to water at all. Like now always raining. In fact if it rains everyday, my alternate activity instead of watering is to empty the water trays so that the plants are not too wet all the time.

4. If it is really dry and I don't have time or do not have enough water anymore in my bin, I use straight tap water with a garden hose.

But during summer, almost all the time I usually use aged (dechlorinated water).

During Rainy season, almost all the time I rely on rain or rainwater.

TTFN
Arvin

[hosh]

Thanks guys for the comments. Will try storing rain water and use it to flush out minerals once a while. Not using filtered water at home but have a home distiller for drinking water so will try using that for seedlings. Too expensive to use for all my neps. Cheers, hosh

[plantlover]

I have a water filter(actually 2) so I water my plants with them. I'm not going to take any risks.(My precious plants)

[NepNut]

IMHO, most of us were "educated" about CPs from books and sources originated from western countries such as US and Europe. Over there, especially in North America, the water source is usually "hard" water hence containing high amount of dissolved minerals (high KH) such as calcium and etc.

As far as I know, most natural water source found in Malaysia is usually consider as "soft" water. The point is, IMHO, if you grow your neps outdoor, regular tropical rain will flush away excess mineral hence depleting the potting media of any trace of nutrient/mineral (if there's any in the first place)...

However, many of us (me included ) have even apply fertilizers to the foilage and into media (once or twice of month). I even add slow release fertilizers (Osmocote -6 months- 14-14-14) when ever I repot my neps. So I think all the worries about excess mineral that might cause harm to neps is probably a misconception from the knowledge pass down to us that originated from US / Europe long time ago. FYI, Fauzi use regular tap water to water his neps everyday and Lim use untreated well water (underground water) to water all his CPs including Droseras, Sarras and etc... Interesting fact isn't it??

My 2 tiny cents....

[arvin555]

I fully agree with CPnut, that this info about filtered water is from US or Europe references. In fact the use of Peat Moss for Nepenthes is the same thing.

If I had a choice between well water and tap water, I'd probably choose deep well water, mainly because it does not contain chlorine and other additives. Of course if you use well water, it pays to check the composition and quality of the water first.



TTFN
Arvin

[kentosaurs]

I use normal filtred drinking water for my CPs....And so far they are fine but i won't know if they do better with rain water/RO water compared to my water now cos i've never used rain or RO water...One of the disadvantages of living in a condo..