Phosopohorus intolerance

 I have a SuperTreat septic system which waters my garden. Some plants
thrive, others don't.  I'm wondering if this could be due to
phosphorous in dishwashing and laundry detergents?

 tathraman wrote:

I suppose it is possible but I wouldn't jump straight to that conclusion.
Another consideration is that cleansers (especially dishwasher detergent)
contain quite a lot of sodium carbonate (washing soda), this will raise the
pH and add sodium to the soil.

What area does the effluent get spread over?

How often do you do laundry and dishes?

Which plants do well and which do not?

Is there any sign that plants near drippers, emitters etc do better or
worse?

David

 
around 200 sq. metres

twice weekly
and dishes?
about the same

I've given up on drippers as they always need cleaning out, despite
filters.  Instead I have 5or 6 garden sprinkliers which do a fine job,

WEEDS! pittosposrum, hymenosporum, melaleucas, callistemons, violets
(but they don't flower), lavender, clivea, agapanthus,camellia, agave,
hydrangea and hibiscus (middling).

 and which do not?
azaleas

Hope this is what you need to know!

 tathraman wrote:

That's not much area.  Is is boggy for much of the year?


That doesn't seem a huge chemical load but it is on a fairly small area.


Test the pH of the soil  at the azalea, they like it quite acid.

D

 tathraman wrote:

Which plants do which?