I finally got a simple water test for my well water that I use for my bonsai and some garden plants. I have no idea if the hardness/alkaline is a problem.
I know a bit about nitrates from a previous deep dive into salt-water aquariums. Basically free feed, but not too much as to burn the roots.
No lead is also good.
I honestly expected more iron, and with the carbonates give me a hint why some of my trees have grown very yellow/white-ish leaves: some minerals are leeched out by the carbonates.
Is there something I am missing that could affect the long-term health of my trees?
by theonehaihappen
3 Comments
As far as I understand the hardness could be a long term issue because it accumulates in the soil making it harder to supply nutrients, but if that’s the case repotting slightly more often would be the solution (and obviously it leaves white spots if you mist the leaves).
I also suffer from hard water and alkaline ph in my water. My plants regularly suffered from what is called Iron Chlorosis. In simple terms, the ph locks iron (and several other trace nutrients) from being absorbed by the plants and that’s where you see the yellow leaves with green veins. I used to treat my trees with liquid chelated iron (about once every other month) and use granular acidic fertilizer to balance out the soil ph caused by the water. Now I have switched to using a dosatron which is a fancy fertigation mechanism that slowly draws up the appropriate amount of acid solution (that I mix myself using diluted battery acid aka sulfuric acid) to adjust the ph as it comes out of the hose end. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s not that bad. And it’s better than having dead trees due to lack of nutrient absorption. Which is what I nearly experienced with a few trees.
The carbonates are the problem here really, and as another commenter mentioned over time this could lead to iron chlorosis in more alkaline sensitive species: I would not water my ericaceous plants or Acer Ps with this water long term. Acidic dosing is probably the best solution to the problem, mixing rainwater 50/50 might work too.