Depending on its composition, the water may be hard or soft.Hardness is the result of dissolving carbonates in it, especially calcium and magnesium, sulfates, nitrates and other chemical compounds.
Carbonate hardness (caused by calcium and magnesium carbonates) is particularly unfavorable as it increases the pH of the substrate over time.Very hard water immobilizes many minerals in the ground (such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper), which plants need.
Used for sprinkling, it causes white spots.Watering plants with hard water that requires an acidic substrate causes them to grow poorly,
and even dieback This applies, for example, to azaleas, camellia, heaths. How to soften it?The easiest way is to leave the water in the vessels (buckets, watering cans) for some time.
An effective way is filtering it, another - boiling it, because during cooking calcium s alts precipitate in the form of sediment and are not absorbed by plants.You can also soften it with peat, i.e. put about a kilogram of acid peat into a linen bag or other permeable material and, after tying it, put it in a vessel with water (10 liters) daily.
Peat must be replaced after two or three uses. Soft water contains a small amount of dissolved mineral s alts and is slightly acidic.Without fear, we can water all plants with it, sprinkle and wash the leaves, because it does not leave any stains.
How and what to water the lawn?
Rainwater is soft, but watering potted plants in industrial areas can be risky.Distilled water does not contain any elements or mineral s alts, so it is not suitable for watering.
