What's new
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

What can nepenthes plants get watered with?

What kinds of water can you give to your nepenthes? I was considering getting a N. Bacalcarata...but if I use distilled..things will get pircy for something that big. I was wondering if I could use well water....It's just collected rain water....filtered through the ground..so I was wondering if it's useable...Thanks!
 
In the wild this is probably close to what it gets from the ground anyways..
 
I have only been here for a little over a week, but from what I have read, ground water is a big no-no because of minirals in the water. You could use reverse-osmosis water (the stuff you get for a quarter a gallon in the igloo looking things in front of super-markets) Or you could make an actual rain water collecter out of a garbage bag, some sticks and a jug.


Casper
 
I use rainwater. Or when I run out I buy RO at .25 per gallon.
 
You can use well water or even sodium filtered tap water but don't be surprised if and more likely, when, your plant dies or at the least refuses to pitcher. I didn't think it was important either when I was given my first nep from my uncle years ago. It didn't live long. Neps are expensive so if you look at the cost of using good water or continually buying expensive plants the cost isn't that high!
wink.gif


I will tell you buying jugs of R/O is a PITA if you have a collection like mine, I was bringing 10 gallons home every few days but if you have only one plant a gallon should last you a week or so. At my local grocery store it is $0.39 for a refillable/reusable jug and $0.25 per fill of RO water so if you have only one plant $0.25-$0.50 a week is nothing.

If you have a bunch of plants it may be wiser to purchase a reverse osmosis water purifier. All houseplants, pets, aquarium fish and corals (if you have saltwater tank), and humans too will benefit from the use/drinking of pure water. I got a very inexpensive Reverse osmosis unit from Marine Depot online which will make me 10 gallons of pure water in about 3-4 hours. I can pop the quick attachment on and off the sink whenever I want.

If you have your water tested for TDS (Total Disolved Solids) by your water company and it comes up 90 TDS or less it should be OK but anything over 100 has too much concentrated minerals and matter in the water. Chaska's water registered 412 TDS in January 2003. That translates into over 300% more polluted than it should be for growing Neps. This is likely because Chaska is an old agricultural comminity and the nitrates and phosphates runoff raises the disolved solids content of the water, not to mention all the additives the utilities company adds.

So yes, for good growth/Nep health, quality water is very important, as is bright lighting, high humidity and proper temperatures.
 
Back
Top