Question
Hey guys. So i live in southern CA. Fire season has started and I live close to one of the fires. It has been kind of raining ash for a week now. My question is, will all the ash falling on my plants affect it in a negative way? For the most part I top water my plants every other day except for the small 3 inch pot plants which are kept in an inch of water almost always. Zone 9, temps. are in the high 90's low 100's.

Answer
Hi Manuel,

The ash could be very problematic.  Try to rinse it off regularly, and do it by holding the plants sideways to wash them.  Wood ash contains potassium hydroxide (lye) and is very alkaline.

You should probably find a way to keep the ash from settling on them until the ashfall subsides.


Good Growing!

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