On Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:02:43 -0500, "The Henchman"
wrote:



"Phisherman" wrote in message
.. .


Don't use softened water. Is your cold water supply softened too?
Rainwater or melted snow is ideal. (Fresh water) aquarium water is
another excellent water source for plants.

I used softened water once in the past two months we have lived here. We
recently upgraded our softener and decided to put the kitchen cold on the
softener as well because of the filtering system we installed. Other than
that it's been bottled spring water from the grocery store.

Is there any type of organic fertilizer to mix with the softened water or is
that an idea best to be forgotten?

Indoor potted plants really don't need much fertilizer if any... it's
better to simply repot into fresh potting mixture once a year... if
you're concerned there are plenty of organic potting mixes on the
market, many contain organic fertilizer. And there are myriad organic
house plant fertilizers at any plant nursery.. just keep in mind that
with house plants especially less fertilizer is more. However I see
no reason not to water houseplants with softened water. In a hard
water area all water in the house should be softened, except water to
outdoor hose bibs (kind of stupid-dumb to pour softened water onto the
ground), however car buffs will often have a softened water hose bib
too for preventing spotting on their babies... they may even have
tempered water to that hose bib for cold weather washing. The most
critical areas not to have hard water is hot water heaters and hot
water heating systems... hard water wreaks havoc on plumbing,
especially hot water plumbing... hard water mineral deposits will
cause ones energy costs to go out of sight and before long those
pipes/mechanicals will clog to where they need replacement, a huge
plumbing bill. It probably doubles ones heating bill to have hard
water in heating units, will even cut a dish washer and clothes washer
life in half, ice maker too... you'll be changing faucet inserts much
more often and toilet tank hardware too. If on a private well and
your water stinks it's most likely due to too high a bacteria
count... for the price of a cup of ordinary laundry bleach you can get
rid of the bacteria by shocking your well... good idea to pour some
bleach into the hot water heater tank too, that bottom portion near
the inlet is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. First
time you may need to repeat in like a month... thereafter every two
years. Carbon and particulate filters do not remove bacteria, in fact
they harbor and concentrate bacteria. Do not use those Brita/Pur type
filters, they will make you ill. If on a private well for added
insurance install a UV lamp at the main inlet. Iron and sulphur
require specialized treatment, consult a hydro specialist

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