Question
Just wanted to ask a simple question. When growing CPs, we want to use other than City tap water in most cases. Water filtered through Peat, Rain water or Reverse Osmosis (R-O) are the choices. I also use R-O water for my freshwater aquarium since our city water has issues. For fish and plants in the aquarium you can not use straight R-O. You must add Minerals to bring it up to a level that the plants and fish need to support life. My question is, For CPs, do you recommend using any mineral additive to restore some natural balance? This would give clean fresh water that has no chlorines. salts phosphates, etc but some mineral elements.  I currently us Kent R-O Right in the aquarium.  Any advice on this is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Thomas,

Unlike fish that need to particular osmotic balance in their water, plants are not sensitive in that way.  Adding minerals to the water would be harmful to cp since it builds up over time.  Rainwater is nearly pure water and that's nature's plan for the plants.  We've used RO water in the nursery for years with nothing by great results.  Just use the RO water straight.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com