SWFL
Guest
Normally when working in the greenhouse I start seeds in a black cop half filled with water, I use a black cup as it is a lot easier to see the tap root.
Well while installing a sprinkler system I hit he water line to the green house not once, not twice, I probably hit it many times.
I have the feeling it been hit too many time to repair because other than the first time when I had a major leak I don't know how many times I hit it after that other than when when seeing white PVC in the spoils.
So we are watering with pails of water filled at the pump house until I can replace the run (450') and seed starting was moved into the kitchen in our home.
Then something strange happened, my germination rate went from almost 100% to zero, that was confusing but after a bit of thought I realized what the problem was,we have a whole house water softener installed.
The problem that causes is traditional water softeners use a salt water solution to backwash the resin, for six to 12 hours after the refresh the water in the home will contain traces of salt in it, it is so weak it cannot be tasted nor is it harmful to humans an pets, but it will kill seeds being germinated grave yard dead.
Just a heads up for any one who is having a seed starting problem and has a water softener, the solution is use bottled water or water tapped ahead of the water softener.
Well while installing a sprinkler system I hit he water line to the green house not once, not twice, I probably hit it many times.
I have the feeling it been hit too many time to repair because other than the first time when I had a major leak I don't know how many times I hit it after that other than when when seeing white PVC in the spoils.
So we are watering with pails of water filled at the pump house until I can replace the run (450') and seed starting was moved into the kitchen in our home.
Then something strange happened, my germination rate went from almost 100% to zero, that was confusing but after a bit of thought I realized what the problem was,we have a whole house water softener installed.
The problem that causes is traditional water softeners use a salt water solution to backwash the resin, for six to 12 hours after the refresh the water in the home will contain traces of salt in it, it is so weak it cannot be tasted nor is it harmful to humans an pets, but it will kill seeds being germinated grave yard dead.
Just a heads up for any one who is having a seed starting problem and has a water softener, the solution is use bottled water or water tapped ahead of the water softener.
