A high EC water may contain larger quantities of hard water minerals, like calcium and magnesium, also known as limescale. High amounts of these minerals, together with added doses of nutrients, can block or saturate plants roots, prohibiting them from absorbing the added nutrients, which is also known as “nutrient lock out”.

As a result of this nutrient excess, plants could be damaged. Some symptoms of saturated roots are yellow, dry leaves or stunted growth, and even plants death, because they can’t absorb the nutrients they need.

Of course calcium and magnesium are necessary for growing, but in adequate quantities according to the plant needs. These minerals are nutrients for plants, and we find them dissolved in water, but we can’t know the exact amount that is present. We can use our EC meter to measure the total quantity of dissolved mineral salts in our water, but that still will not tell us what is the percentage of calcium and magnesium.

To avoid these problems, most growers prefer to start to irrigate with pure and clean water. This way, they know the exact amount of nutrients they are adding to their plants.

It’s very important, because our plants can receive an EC of nutrients from 1,4 up to 2,2, according to the type of plant or the growing stage. For example, if the water we use has an EC of 1,0 then we will only be able to add from 0,4 to 1,2 of nutrients to reach our maximum levels. Starting with an EC in the water of only 0,1 or 0,2 or even an EC of 0,0 we will be able to add much more nutrients to our plants

The best way to achieve clean and pure water is by using Reverse Osmosis systems (RO), specifically designed for use in hydroponics and gardening, because your water will be free of all salts and heavy metals up to 95%, and free of chlorine and other contaminants up to 99%.

The Catalan tradition on the Sant Jordi’s Day is giving a rose. Taking this special date, we suggest some tips for watering your roses, and so keep them well maintained throughout the year.

The first months of rosebush

During the first year of planting, lack of water is, in many cases, the cause of a rosebush fail. So watering during this stage is the key. Because during the first months, the roots are still shallow, and need to absorb more water to develop.

To learn how to water our rosebush properly, we must consider the type of soil in which we will plant it. If for example there is a sandy soil, the rose bush will not retain water very well, and will need more frequency and amount of watering, especially at first. If instead it is a clay soil, it will hold moisture longer and will need less water.

Watering the rosebush depending on season

As with most plants during summer times, it is important to moisturize the rosebush. With the heat and drought, plants need more water and more frequently. In areas of excessively hot weather, it is recommended to water the rose bush once every day. In areas of more moderate heat is sufficient watering every two or three days.

Generally it is important to water them early in the morning or in the evening, but never during the hours of more heat and sunshine.

During the winter, the rose tree has no leaves and therefore do not need to water it frequently. Except that it still young or you’ve planted in pots. In the latter case, it is recommended to water it regularly so that the roots do not dry out.

¿Hose or watering can?

Tips for watering a rose bush
 

You can use both, it depends on your comfort and the garden space you have available. If you use the watering can, it is advisable to use with artichoke-shaped neck, as the water will not come in a single stream. In this way you won’t erode the soil from the roots. In the case of using the hose, it is important to avoid high pressure jet.

In both cases it is essential not to wet leaves or flowers, and apply irrigation on the foot of the plant. You should also try never swamping the rose bush because they can rot the roots. Yellow and falls leaves are a sign of rotten roots.

If in addition to these tips, you provide your rosebush with water of high quality and without chlorine, you guarantee healthier roots. In order to manage this, you can make use of water filtration systems, which remove 99% of chlorine, Herbicides, Pesticides and Volatile Organic contaminants. This way you will guarantee success and health for your rose bush and the other plants in your garden, and very convenient, because the filters include connectors for external taps.

Spring is the best season for starting outdoor growing. In Spain, the weather starts to get warmer, cold nights decrease, increase daylight hours … factors that make this the best time to start growing outdoor. But what about the water quality you will use to irrigate?

Often in the preparation of appropriate tools for cultivation, we forget the importance and quality of a fundamental element: water. This element is the basis for growth, and although weather conditions are now more favorable for growing, without a filtration system that gives good quality water, plants do not proliferate as we would like. Because water isn’t equal everywhere…

EC control levels and chlorine

For example, high amount of minerals, a high EC, or heavy metals in water can block the absorption of nutrients needed by the roots. If this situation happens, no matter the quality of the nutrients that you use for plants, because due to the high concentration of mineral salts and calcium in the water, they won’t absorb it. As a result, our plants will show deficiencies.

On the other hand, during the warmer months, municipalities add more chlorine to the water networks to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. During this time, the water contains more chlorine, which burn before the roots and removes the beneficial bacteria of fertilizers.

To prevent these problems and to ensure the quality of water, there are water filtration systems, which eliminate up to 99% chlorine. If water in your area is very hard, and has a high EC, with RO systems  you will eliminate up to 95% of salts and heavy metals, and up to 99% chlorine. In this way, you will add the necessary nutrients that your plants really need, and they will grow healthier.

So remember, if you’re going to start outdoor cultivation with the arrival of spring time, consider the quality of the water you’re going to irrigate. Using filtration systems or RO can help you get the best results.

All municipal water supplies contain chlorine, a chemical disinfectant used to kill off deadly bacteria and virus in the water supply. This chemical in turn, can directly attack our plants and gardens. We know that chlorine is present in our drinking water because we can smell and taste it’s presence, many times making it undrinkable. So the question is: If we don’t want to drink the water from the tap, why do we want to give it to our plants?

Now, more than ever, in the summertime, with the high temperatures the local water companies add extra high doses of chlorine to the water supply to combat the bacteria and virus that can be present.

Let’s talk about how chlorine can affect our plants. We know that our soils contain beneficial bacteria whose function is to protect the plants roots, so they will be stronger and healthier and of course have maximum capacity to absorb the nutrients and fertilizers that we give to our plants. However if we give chlorinated tap water to our plants, the chlorine can kill off the beneficial bacteria present in the soil. This same chlorine, a chemical contaminant, will burn your plants delicate uptake roots, again preventing maximum absorption of needed nutrients.                                                                                                          If we are also purchasing these beneficial bacterias to add to our soils then of course it makes no sense to give our plants chlorinated water. 

The best way to ELIMINATE chlorine is to filter it thru a quality activated carbon or better yet an activated carbon block filter. Carbon filters will also reduce or eliminate other chemical contaminants, such as Gases, Oils, Pesticides and most other Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOC’s).

In answer to the initial question, we definitely do NOT want to water our plants and gardens with chlorinated tap water!

GARDEN FILTER SYSTEMS

 GROW IT TO THE MAX, WITH GROWMAX WATER!

Many growers worldwide already know of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and the need to achieve pure, contaminant free water for their plants. Whether using soilless, hydroponic systems or traditional gardening with soil, the water we use for our plants is a very important part of growing.

We know that Chlorine can burn our plants roots and also can kill off the beneficial microorganisms present in our soils. Chlorine can be eliminated by using a Activated Carbon Block based FILTER UNIT.

However, a high EC can also be a problem. EC is the measurement of the Dissolved Solids or the dissolved Mineral Content in your water. Too much calcium and magnesium in your water can cause Nutrient Lock Out – where the plants roots are blocked from absorbing necessary nutrients. Other dissolved contaminants; Lead, Cadmium, Boron, Arsenic and other heavy metals can also be toxic for your plants (just like in the human body).

The only way to eliminate Dissolved Solids and lower your EC is with a Reverse Osmosis system. GrowMax Water has engineered a full range of Garden Reverse Osmosis systems, designed with High Flow rates for Growers and easy to install connections for indoor or outdoor installation. GrowMax RO systems will reduce up to 95% of dissolved solids in your water, lowering your EC as well as eliminating your chlorine. This pure water will give you a perfect starting point when you mix and add your essential nutrients for your plants.

GARDEN REVERSE OSMOSIS FROM UP TO 20 L/H TO 3000 L/D

  GROW IT TO THE MAX, WITH GROWMAX WATER!

If you think about it, not only are good nutrients and fertilizers important, but we also know that good water quality is also a fundamental component for the healthiest plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

For this reason, if the water we use isn’t clean, what we cultivate won’t be either. The water that we give to our plants should be “the best that we can possibly give them”. We say the “best possible” because we CAN control the quantity of contaminants in our water and not have to worry about the chemicals that come out of our faucet or tap.

The quality water for your plants: Chlorine, lime and magnesium in the water

Chlorine is the principal enemy that we find in all municipal waters. As a chemical, chlorine burns a plants roots, slowing and harming its growth potential. Lime scale, calcium and magnesium, are two other principal enemies in our water. Even though they are good nutrients for plants, in water they are found in small crystal blocks that will cover the plants roots and block the uptake of the necessary nutrients and fertilizers that we give them.   

We are personally responsible for eliminating the contaminants present in our water, as the municipalities and water companies don’t care about the quality results of our plants and gardens.

Professional Growers around the world know the importance of quality water in Hydroponics and all Growing and Gardening in general.

 GROW IT TO THE MAX, WITH GROWMAX WATER!