trival gardening question but I am curious.?

Question

I notice that when it rains the grass and plants grow at almost an explosive rate. Yet when I water the plant from the faucet they do not grow as well. Now is there Nitrogen in rain water which is a fertalizer? Or is it the minerals in tap water that makes the difference in the rate of plant growth. I guess nature knows best but if anyone knows the answer to this I would like to know. Thanks for any help..

Answer 1

Nature has designed plants to respond to the natural cues in rainstorms. No hose can provide such a complete refocusing of the plant's energy.
Starting with clouds - no sun - the plant is then less focused on changing energy from sunlight using the chlorophyll in its leaves.
Some flowers even close when it becomes cloudy, or never open in sun, so when it becomes cloudy as before rain, there's less energy in the flowering plant going into making its nectar & flowerbuds.
The rain approaches - Moisture in the air is normally absorbed a bit by the above ground parts, but a gentle, soaking rain with a lot of humid air will make the whole plant a sponge for growth, concentrating on sucking up h2O and nutrients along with it through the underground parts. Plants do other energy tasks, using chlorophyll, exhaling carbon dioxide, etc during cloudy rainy days too, but most of their energy when it rains is focused on doing what Nature is providing opportunity for.... gaining moisture, spreading roots through softened soil, growing stems, growing all the other parts (leaves, flowers, offshoots, or seeds), and getting energy stored up for those sunny days when the other busy parts of the plant factory are in high gear.

Answer 2

Hmmm I am a bit confussed. Rain definately aids in the growth of grass as does sun, and air circulation and the perfect tempertures. Out doors the plants have ideal conditionds for growth to take place.
Are you asking about tap water for the indoor plants or the grass outside?
Lightning actually is a catalist for breaking apart particles in the air and creating fertilizers that fall during rain. So you are correct about rain containing some nutreints-- but not just nitrogen alone.
A good soaking then the return of the sun will make the grass shoot up--I know, I live on a underground river, and we literally watch the grass grow!!! We mow every three days in cooler weather, and in mid summer when every other lawn is brown, we are still mowing every 3 days!!!!
If you use a bit of water soluable fertilizer in your watering can, you will see a rapid growth spirt as well. :-)

Answer 3

all these people go on and on about rain water and nutrients
but are really missing the biggest point!! and thats
ELECTRICITY !
Your plants will also grow at a much greater rate after an electrical storm than just a regular rain shower!! Experiments
have proven that wires, foil and other static electricity collectors in the garden also help in growing bigger plants! Its just too much work for most people to do....

Answer 4

Lightening can put Nitogen in the atmosphere. After heavy thunderstorms corn can almost be seen growing. The rain puts out alot more water than watering so the plants drink it up

Answer 5

Nitrogen existent in the air is not available for the plants to use. But lightning fixates the nitrogen in the air so that it is available for the plants to use, and the rain brings that nitrogen down into their root zone, greening up the plants.

Answer 6

I've noticed that too! Our tap water has a lot of chlorine in it, and it's always been my assumption that the chlorine made the difference... but I've never researched it to be sure.

Answer 7

its the quantity of the water that the plants are getting. u would have to water for a long long time.

Answer 8

Nature knows best. But I do notice that too. I think it is quantity of water.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

very observant! It is reasonable that there are more nutrients in rainwater than treated (meaning all the nasty stuff is removed) city water.