Q/A #57 - Is Pollen in Rainwater Bad for Carnivorous Plants?

QUESTION:
Hello. I have a question I hope you can help me with. Does pollen have a negative impact on rainwater as it pertains to carnivorous plants? I collected rainwater yesterday and the TDS is much higher than usual.... 35 in some containers and over 100 in others. The only difference in the pollen. Prior, it was in the low teens. What gives?
(Submitted in March 2020.)

RESPONSE BY JEFF DALLAS:
TDS means total dissolved solutes. When we measure TDS, what we're really looking for are dissolved minerals. However, if there is organic matter (pollen, dead leaves, etc.) in the water, any dissolved organic material will also show up on TDS readings. So, pollen could raise the TDS. It is plant protein and is probably decomposing in the water. it doesn't mean that mineral levels have increased. It just means that the meter is now picking up organic dissolved solutes. Our pools have tons of decomposing plant material, so I doubt that whatever pollen is in your rainwater will have any negative effects on your plants. The bigger problem is always dissolved minerals such as calcium. As long as you have readings in the teens prior to the pollen, your water is safe to use on carnivorous plants.

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