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Carnivorous Plants/Sphanum moss water
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Question
Hi,
when you grow live sphagnum moss... can you use regular tap water instead of distilled water? or do you have to use distilled or rain water? Is there a specific water requrement?
Hi Joe,
What is interesting about live sphagnum moss is that it will pull out minerals from the water, making the water low in nutrients, which is why many carnivorous plants grow very well in sphagnum moss. So it is very possible to use tap water.
However, if the water is high in minerals, mineral deposits will eventually show up on the tips of the sphagnum. If this happens, then you'll need to switch to distilled until the mineral deposits disappear and are reasorbed by the moss.
Check your tap water. If it is below 100 parts per million in dissolved minerals, it is safe to use with sphagnum moss and other carnivorous plants. You can find test kits at your local aquarium store, or simply call your water company. They should have that information on file.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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