I think water is mostly overlooked for keeping plants at their top shape. Most cities use chlorine and chloramines to water to kill bacteria and fungus. This stuff also kills your plants. Aged water helps with the chlorine but not the new chloramines some are now using. I read about potting soil mixes for different plants, light demands, air temperatures but nobody talks about water. Any fast draining soil mix can support plant health as long as the main ingredient 'Water' is considered. Warm (not hot) water that's been aged for a week or so is great, but using old fish tank water (If you have tropical fish) is probably the best. In the summer months I use a 32 gallon garbage can with holes in bottom sitting on top of it's lid. inside of the can I collect my grass clippings, leaves and other plant scraps (weeds) into this. When it rains the water filters thru and collects in bottom lid tray. This I pour into a watering can and use for all my plants. It's called compost tea. Also I pour fresh water on the top and collect at the bottom when there's no rain. Works great.

Thanks for the tip. I will clean my fish tank and use the water to water my plants.

Also note that over watering is no. 1 killer of houseplant, aside from low houselight.

Stush2019 said:I think water is mostly overlooked for keeping plants at their top shape. Most cities use chlorine and chloramines to water to kill bacteria and fungus. This stuff also kills your plants. Aged water helps with the chlorine but not the new chloramines some are now using. I read about potting soil mixes for different plants, light demands, air temperatures but nobody talks about water. Any fast draining soil mix can support plant health as long as the main ingredient 'Water' is considered. Warm (not hot) water that's been aged for a week or so is great, but using old fish tank water (If you have tropical fish) is probably the best. In the summer months I use a 32 gallon garbage can with holes in bottom sitting on top of it's lid. inside of the can I collect my grass clippings, leaves and other plant scraps (weeds) into this. When it rains the water filters thru and collects in bottom lid tray. This I pour into a watering can and use for all my plants. It's called compost tea. Also I pour fresh water on the top and collect at the bottom when there's no rain. Works great.

Slush, would love to see a picture of that setup, please

Thanks, I was beginning to think nobody takes there water seriously. Fish tank water is the best for all plants but the compost tea should only be used outdoors. It smells. Same could be said of the stuff from gardens alive. I'll post a picture and explain further on my compost tea maker in the spring when I set it up again.
Stush

LOL- Alan kinda *has* to take his water seriously.

Boy...isn't that the truth!!

I speak not with fork-ed tongue.... lol.

I have used fish tank water for years and totally agree it is the most natural and best . You don't have to wait till you clean the tank just dip and replace the water . It is also good for the fish to have fresh water. Of course I have well water so it is easy to ''just replace'', the tank water.
Collecting rain water is a great idea too.

I also use water out of the aquarium. It saves having to do the 1/3rd change every few months because I'm constantly dipping out of it for plants...although, with 150+ house plants I make a pretty good dent in it every week . Also have well water so re-filling is no problem here either.

Cinda,
The picture you post is what?? You may have the very best fertilizer know to plants. Did you know that alfalfa is a super plant hormone? What eats alfalfa poops out most of the hormone. Makes it just great for plants.
A hosta grower once told me a secret. He used alfalfa meal 50/50 mix then planted his hosta on top. He said it gave him 2 years growth in one year. I told him not to tell me secrets no more, that I have a big mouth. I did this myself and saw remarkable growth but I worried that moles or mice might dig in to get to the alfalfa meal. Rabbit manure removes this worry. Don't know anyone with rabbits do you?? Horse manure has too much other stuff besides alfalfa meal in it. But after properly composted for a year or so is great also.
Just through I mention this.
Stush

Cinda's creature is a Chinchilla

I know a guy who has rabbits and I gather the stuff every time he cleans them and put it straight into the gardens. The gardens love it!!

My avatar is Phoebe , she is a chinchilla , and yes she eats mostly pellets like a rabbit. I use her leavings in my houseplants instead of chemical fertilizer.
For the outside gardens I use the goat (nannyberries)
No lack of natural fertilizer here I also have a horse

Cross posted

make a wish!!

how about early spring?

"nannyberries"
I use aquarium water sometimes, and sometimes I use the drops that are supposed to remove chlorine/chloramines from water in my tap water.

Cinda,
I am so jealous of you. You lucky Girl. How I wish I had the room and space to do what you do.
Stush

Trust me, being chief poop-scooper has it's downsides, too. I also have horses, but I skip the middle step in the gardens and soak alfalfa cubes and add them to new plantings. Too many... uh.... mare-y berries....

Sheryl,
I feel your pain. Nice to wish and another to do. In my childhood I too was chief pooper-scooper every time I visit my uncle's farm. He had 2 cows. I always took home a bag of old composted manure with me. Memories are better than reality. We would fill a old dog food bag called 'Chunks of Joy'. After my mother would always laugh at the thought.
Stush