Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 5/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: In your ebook you mention chlorine additives that last longer in the city water that shouldnt be used on CP's but you dont say any names. Is this Chloramine? That is what my water supply uses it states its chlorine and ammonia. Is this safe to use?

ANSWER: Hi Maria,

Choramine is a type of chlorine that designed to last longer in water.  It rarely evaporates out like chlorine gas does.  It's impossible for us to provide names of every city in the US that uses chloramine.  What we suggest is contacting your local water bureau for this type of information.  In general, if your water supply is safe to use on regular houseplants, then it's safe to use on carnivorous plants (provided that the mineral levels are low).

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: oh I totally understand you dont have time to list what every city uses. I looked mine up after reading your ebook. I meant there was no name of the type of chlorine you were talking about. It states that you should not use the chlorine that lasts longer and is similar to bleach as it will kill the plants so I wanted to clarify if that was Chloramine you were talking about. just to clarify, as long as the minerals are low enough I can use Chloramine water then? :) and thank you so much for putting together that wonderful ebook, I have recommended it to several people.

Answer
The issue of choramine would be highly dependent on how much is added to your water.  Again, if the water is safe enough to use on regular plants, then it's safe enough to use on carnivorous plants provided that the mineral levels are low.  I can't say that your water is safe.  The only way to know for sure is to test it on regular plants.  So if you grow other types of plants and you use regular tap water, then you can assume the level of chloramine won't pose a problem for your carnivorous plants.  You could also contact your water bureau directly to clarify if they use chlorine gas or chloramine.  Many bureaus will simply list their sanitation chemical as chlorine since most people don't differentiate between gas or liquid.