Potted Plants Dying From Water Here

[wase4711]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Are you sure you're not using water that is softened with a water softener? Our plants do fine with the tap water out of the one faucet that we don't have hooked to the water softener. You can't water plants with softened water as there is too much sodium.

If you are addressing the question to me, no, no softener, it has been removed from the house months ago..

[Nn2036]

You need to change soil and clean the pots every few years to prevent salt built up.

[yukon]

This is the first year for the plants in the pots, so old soil/salt buildup isn't the issue.

I live in an apartment so I don't know if there is a softener on the water supply or not. Good question, I'll have to ask the apartment manager.

I like the tip about enough water to completely run thru the pot - I'll have to remember to do that.

And no, I don't have a brown thumb. I've grown stuff in assorted climates. The plants here are the only ones giving me problems. I will say my African violets are doing well here though.

[Andrew Wilson]

The biggest mistake I think people make here in AZ is over watering. I’ve noticed less water = happier plants.

Just a thought from someone who has a lot of potted plants.

[broncosilly]

If it's the water..........wouldn't the nurseries go out of business?............just askin'

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by yukon

Does anyone know if there is any plant food that might offset the crappy water here? My plants are all potted (balcony) but using bottled water would get expensive really fast. Would filtering tap water thru a Britta or something similar work?

Local water is best, not soft or filtered water. Generally fertilizing a water stressed plant is not recommended as it could create more damage. Improper watering is the number one problem for plant failure. Water infrequently but thoroughly. Buy a $7.00 water probe at any Garden Center, it will tell you when to water.

Here is some good info below to read on watering and caring for potted plants. Water thoroughly, it will encourage roots to grow all the way to the bottom of the pot, which means happier plants. Second, you won't have to water as often if you water thoroughly. Do not allow the pot to sit in water. Pots sitting in water will keep the soil in the pot too wet, allow excess water to drain away.
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/...y-happy-plants

[TempeAZnative]

I have a potted container garden and water straight from the garden hose and my fruits and vegetables are flourishing. Don't over water and give them plant food once a week it's not to complicated and you don't need to filter water.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by broncosilly

If it's the water..........wouldn't the nurseries go out of business?............just askin'

Not to mention just about every tree, bush, shrub, plant, and flower growing at the countless resorts, golf courses, freeway landscaping, along the greenbelt, etc...

[locolife]

Originally Posted by yukon

This is the first year for the plants in the pots, so old soil/salt buildup isn't the issue.

I live in an apartment so I don't know if there is a softener on the water supply or not. Good question, I'll have to ask the apartment manager.

I like the tip about enough water to completely run thru the pot - I'll have to remember to do that.

And no, I don't have a brown thumb. I've grown stuff in assorted climates. The plants here are the only ones giving me problems. I will say my African violets are doing well here though.

We've grown potted plants for years here, we occasionally notice a few that appear to be dying and on close inspection found small insects feasting away, we've since found a powder repellent and that does the trick every time. Within a week or two the plant is back to healthy.

We've never watered with anything other than untreated, non-softened tap water. And watering has never been an issue that I've noticed.