What to Add to RO Water for Plants

Reverse osmosis (RO) water is a type of filtered water that has been stripped of most of its impurities. Using RO water for your plants can be beneficial in avoiding minerals and chemicals that may harm or kill your plants. However, RO water is also stripped of essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. Here are some things you can add to RO water to make it more suitable for plant growth:

1. Calcium and Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients for plant growth. RO water lacks these nutrients, so adding them to the water can be beneficial. You can add these nutrients in the form of dolomite lime, which is a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates. Alternatively, you can use a commercial nutrient mix that contains calcium and magnesium.

2. Trace Minerals

Trace minerals are micronutrients that are essential for plant growth. They include boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. These nutrients are typically found in soil, but RO water does not contain them. Adding a commercial trace mineral mix to RO water can help provide your plants with these essential nutrients.

3. pH Balanced Water

Plants require a specific pH level to absorb nutrients from the soil. RO water has a neutral pH of around 7.0, which may not be ideal for all plants. Before adding any nutrients to your RO water, test the pH level with a digital pH meter or pH test strips. If the pH is not in the ideal range for your specific plants, you can adjust it with pH up or pH down solutions.

4. Organic Matter

Adding organic matter to your RO water can provide your plants with additional nutrients and improve soil structure. You can add compost or worm castings to your RO water to provide organic matter. This method allows the nutrients to be readily available for the plant to absorb, resulting in improved plant growth and productivity.

5. Beneficial Bacteria

Add beneficial bacteria to your RO water to help break down organic matter and provide your plants with essential nutrients. Beneficial bacteria can help plants absorb nutrients and improve soil health. These bacteria can be found in commercial products such as compost teas or microbial inoculants.

Using RO water can be a great way to avoid harmful chemicals and minerals in tap water, but adding nutrients and other additives may be necessary to help your plants grow and thrive. By understanding what to add to RO water for plants, you can help ensure that your plants get the best possible start and continue to flourish.