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Is it my imagination, or do plants love real rain more than being watered by humans?

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  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    My father always said an hour of steady rain does more than you can do all day with a can or hose. As well as the reasons given,  there is a theory that the rain takes in air and minerals from the air as it comes down.  I think there was a hose gun marketed that mixed air into the water, no idea if it had any benefit. 
    AB Still learning

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited June 2021
    Nicotiana have gone bonkers!
    But only the ones in the ground.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I keep most of my succulent collection in my porch, obviously watering and feeding by hand.
    About a month ago I had to completely empty and clean the porch so all the plants were taken on to the patio.
    They were covered in dust from the kitchen refit and had been neglected somewhat over the spring when I would have normally watered and got them out of their winter resting period.
    I decided to leave them out overnight when we had a downpour.This had the effect of getting rid of the dust and giving them a good soak,nature's way.
    They absolutely loved it!
    They plumped up and looked so much better and healthier.
    I might make this a habit from time to time!!!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    I'm suspicious as to why my dog won't drink tap water.......
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    My 2 dogs never drink water. I always leave a bowl and the cats use it, but the dogs never show the slightest interest, though one will taste puddles.
    Our 'tap' water comes straight off the hillside, untreated and icy cold and all humans drink it without harm and with much pleasure on a hot day.
    Plants like it too and it doesn't mark the foliage:)
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I have fond memories from my childhood  of my mum and gran shouting “Come on! It’s raining. Get the plants!” whenever we had a good downpour. 

    We’d all run around picking up the houseplants and placing them on the patio to “get a good drink”. 

    I always assumed that this was because rain is infinitely better for plants than tap water. 

    Makes sense without really thinking about it I.e. the science behind it. 

    The natural way. Surely the best way when it comes to plants…. 💧🌧🌦⛈
  • ColinAColinA Posts: 392
    Tap water keeps plants alive rainwater makes them grow
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    When I used to live in a small village, the most reliable rain forecast was when the neighbours put their houseplants outside 😊 Here in the countryside, no amount of watering my alkaline soil with my alkaline well water produces the same results as a good downpour - the plants instantly perk up, you can almost see them growing. As rain is more acid, perhaps that plays a part. Collected rainwater from the butts is certainly better, but still not as good as direct rain.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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