Poor Plant Growth in a Hard‑Water Well Pond: Fertilizer, Light, and Nutrient Testing

Problem

Well‑water pond (hard water) – plants won’t grow. Previous city‑water pond with conditioners had great plants.

Possible Causes

• Hard water ≠ bad, but may lack specific nutrients (iron, phosphorus, potassium).
• Test well water for pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, iron, phosphorus.
• Sun exposure changed?
• Fertilizer used?
• Animal herbivory?

Remedies

• Add **plant fertilizer tabs** to potted plants.
• Dose liquid **Florafin** (potassium) during growing season.
• Rainwater dilutes hardness over time.

Resource

Complete plant guide.