My soil mix only fertilizes for 3 months, I need to find a fertilizer for the other 9 months. I have been using schultz's African violet liquid fertilizer, its 8-14-09 I'm not sure if that is proper amount for monthly feeding? I don't know what those numbers are for?
Best African violet fertilizer?
I use Peter's classic 20-20-20 deluted 1/4 strength.
Generally,you use about 1/8 tsp. per gallon of water of Schultz or a balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20,every watering.(Some people use 1/4 tsp.).Be sure to water with plain water about once a month to help flush excess fertilizer salts.
If you want to fertilize only once a month you will need to look into time release fertilizers.I know they make them for Orchids and those would work well.Do not use a Bloom Booster (one with a very high middle number),except on occasion.
Lynn
Keith, the first number, N, or nitrogen shows how much of the fertilizer is devoted to green, upward growth. The second number P, or phosphorus, shows how much is devoted to root growth and flower & fruit production. The last number K, or potassium is an overall building block that benefits all parts of the plant. The easiest way that I've found to remember this relationship is: UP-DOWN- ALL AROUND. ::)) If that middle number is too high, the plant will concentrate more on the blooms and the general health will suffer.
Connie
Quote from aspenjocop :
Keith, the first number, N, or nitrogen shows how much of the fertilizer is devoted to green, upward growth. The second number P, or phosphorus, shows how much is devoted to root growth and flower & fruit production. The last number K, or potassium is an overall building block that benefits all parts of the plant. The easiest way that I've found to remember this relationship is: UP-DOWN- ALL AROUND. ::)) If that middle number is too high, the plant will concentrate more on the blooms and the general health will suffer.
Connie
The middle number is highest, and it says on the pack to boost blooming. So am I using the wrong stuff?
Keith,
I have to correct myself.If you are using the Schultz liquid you need to use much more than 1/8 tsp. per gallon.I think it calls for about 28 drops.
No,that food is fine.A real Bloom Booster has a very high middle number,in comparison to the others.It would be something like 10-40-10.The middle number would be 3 or 4 times higher than the others.
Oh ok that's good to know, ill keep using it than.