Water Quality - Too Much Chlorine
Description
While some chlorine is actually necessary for photosynthesis to occur, African Violets need very little, i.e., 70-100 ppm. Such minute traces in the water would not be discernible to the smell. In fact, if you can smell it, then the water has too much chlorine, which will surely cause problems for your African Violet, including leaf burn and decreased flowering.
In most cases, treatment and prevention for excessive chlorine is relatively simple. However, many municipal water systems have begun using chloramine, a compound which combines chlorine with ammonia. Because this compound is more stable than chlorine, water containing chloramine will not respond to the treatment and prevention methods described below. If you determine that your water contains chloramine, see Water Quality - Chloramine.
Distinguishing Symptoms
In most cases, you will know if the water has too much chlorine, because you can smell it. However, it is important to distinguish simple chlorine from another substance called chloramine. Chloramine is a compound which combines chlorine with ammonia. Unlike chlorine alone, the addition of ammonia stabilizes the element, making it unresponsive to the treatment and prevention methods described below. For this reason, whenever chlorine is suspected, it is recommended that you contact your water company to inquire whether the chlorine has been combined into chloramine. Alternatively, you can have the water tested, although this will normally incur some cost.
Other Symptoms
Important: When diagnosing your African Violet, please note that the presence of chlorine in your water will cause the same symptoms as chloramine. Chloramine is a compound consisting of chlorine and ammonia. The easiest way to identify the presence of chloramine is to contact your municipal water provider. More information.
Treatment
Begin using an alternative supply of water, or let chlorinated water stand overnight to allow the chlorine gas to escape. You may, also, want to try using carbon filtration. The carbon contained in household water filters will neutralize the chlorine. Specifically, you will need a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter. This is the type of filter contained in most water purification products.
Prevention
Always use non-chlorinated water. If no alternative source is available, let chlorinated water stand overnight to allow the chlorine gas to escape. You may, also, want to try using carbon filtration. The carbon contained in household water filters will neutralize the chlorine. Specifically, you will need a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter. This is the type of filter contained in most water purification products.
For more about water quality and African Violets, see "Caring for African Violets."
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