In my new potting shed I have the water draining into a barrel so that I can reuse it. Two questions. I use bleach in the water that I clean my used containers. Is it ok to use that water for watering plants? The barrels that hold that water and water from my down spouts are not painted on the inside so they are rusty, the water looks rusty too. Is that ok for the plants?
Reusing water/barrels rusty
Barbur ~ the rusty water should not harm your plants. Re the bleach, if it were a mild solution and you allow the water to stand, the chemicals in bleach will break down. The water should be useable but I would be more wary of the bleach than the rust. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of chemicals will weigh in.
I have an acquaintance that keeps his clay pots soaking in the rain barrel. He cleans them first and soaks them till ready to use... Congrats on your new potting shed too! pod
Thanks Podster, Does the person who soaks the pots in the rain barrel clean them with bleach water first. What is his reason for soaking them? I'm really enjoying my potting shed, but I had a TOTAL failure with my first cuttings of begonias, don't know what happened.
Begonia cuttings ~ I am not a cuttings person and need to do this with the angelwings. You might be interested if you haven't been to the Begonia forum http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/764632/
Any thoughts on yours?
Yes, scrubbing first in a mild bleach solution and then he keeps the pots (clay) soaking to keep them hydrated and ready to use. pod