Hey guys we recently had almost 24 hours straight of rain so collected 5-10 gallons…just curious if any indoor growers use/collect rainwater for their plants? I tested it and it’s in the 6.0 pH range with pretty much no ppm. Tap water ph’d down with citric acid is my standard since it offers free calmag but would love to hear if anyone uses mother nature’s faucet?
11 Likes
I use rainwater all spring/summer/fall. I haven’t turned on my outdoors tap in about 2 years now.
I don’t meter or amend as I’m going into soil or ProMix BX which will aid in buffering. Also it’s chlorine and chloramine free which I had to filter out of the hose water!
I make my nutrient mixes for the outside plants as well and do add calmag as I always have it around. Otherwise if I need to PH down I can use white vinegar on the cheap, and epsom salts for the mag which is cheaper for me than citric which I use in other applications in smaller quantities.
6 Likes
I grow outside and only water when it’s absolutely necessary.
4 Likes
I use pure rainwater all the time and don’t adjust, even on my house plants
2 Likes
I added two rain barrels and a collection distribution barrel. Overflow of one rain barrel feeds a drip to fish pond and water plant containers will rig a similar device for second rain barrel.
I have not tested my water since I had koi, went through all sorts of water testing and the koi were happy and growing which was a better indicator. But I water from house source no testing no adjusting not really a problem get good growth and taste.
2 Likes
I alternate with well water and rain water. Only thing I noticed is say if you have 50gallon barrel the pH can go up as it sits for longer periods
3 Likes