Jesse, I've had success with these. http://store.arbico-organics.com/1254001.html I bought DE and need to add that to my soil. I've also started watering with Murphy's.
Eleanor's VF-11 Plant Food The Best !
I am going to go out and get some Murphy's tonight. I have the DE on them but the little buggers want to get down in my soil and are making me very mad. I hate little critters like that. So I will add the Murphy's Oil soap. What else should I add?
Jesse
Jesse, I have to combat the little buggers on several levels. I hang the yellow sticky 'white fly' traps over my AV's so that helps (non toxic too!)
You can get a mosquito larvecide (I have used prestrike) and add it to your water. (lots on Daves about Mosquito Dunks added to water, just do a search)
Also the soap and neem added to water can help. I think I'd just go slow at first. Try your cocktail on a few AV's not your whole collection - anything added to the water will be taken up by the plant too. You don't want to over do it, I did and lost almost all the $1 Bargain AV's from DP sale. (But I was using a systemic and I shouldn't have)
And as pesky as they are, they can be controlled pretty easily. ALSO I bought flea collars at the dollar store and cut them into 3" pieces and lay them on my AV trays (not where they get wet) and this helps repel bugs too.
That is a great idea, the dog collars. I will have to pick up a couple of those next time I am out. Hubby and I had so much running around to do today and I'm pretty tired. I was so tired that we came home and I fell asleep on the sofa. But I hope to get all of them watered today with the mixture. I got some Lemon scented lysol, since I know lots of the pest hate the citrus scents, some Murphy's oil soap, and I'll add a little bit of VF-11 and start with that. Hopefully that will work and I will not have anymore problems.
Jesse
bump
Allison...thanks for all the great info on VF-11. Very helpful! I can't wait to try it now. You said you use it as directed (2 T./gallon) right?
Eleanor's VF-11
HI, I just went to the sticky to get the info to order the sample from Eleanor. I'm excited about trying this product. Thanks for all this great info.
Maureen
That's great Maureen ! Eleanor has been giving free samples for years she is so kind and loves when people call with questions she is very helpful too !
Here is my favorite African violet and I think that it is so beautiful for two reasons. One is because I gave it some VF-11, and two because it is living in my terrarium. But I just love this little violet. The name of it is Mini Papa. I think that VF-11 is a great product.
Jesse
Jesse so pretty is this the same Mini Pappa I sent you :)) I know you posted it back blooming when you got it with the other plants. It is sweet :))
Allison,
This is the Mini Papa that you sent me. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful mini with me. I am so happy with it. It sure does thrive in the terrarium. I want to make another terrarium using all mini African violets. I would love to get a bigger tank, maybe a 20 gallon and fill it full of minis.
Jesse
Jesse, that beautiful!! Can you shoot a pic of the whole terrarium?
Debbie
Jesse I saw your terrarium in the terrarium forum it's very nice you do a great job a what ever you do and what ever type of plants you grow ! I know Mini Pappa bloomed all the time from young baby here for me and I like finding blooming plants if only one in a box to send along so Mini Pappa was blooming and he wanted to go to your home :))
Have you put a leaf or two of him down ?
Thanks for sharing !
Debbie, here are a few updated photos of my terrarium. I have some serious pruning to do. The white Fittonia is taking over. I planted one plant in there and now there are 5 separate plants. The others are doing the same thing. I am amazed at how fast things grow in a terrarium. Here is a photo taken from the front of the terrarium.
Jesse
Here is a photo taken from the top.
Jesse
Here is a photo of Mini Papa taken from the front of the terrarium. I really do think that the VF-11 helped give this mini a big boost. I've never had any grow like this before. I think I need to order some more VF-11.
Jesse
Here is the last one taken of a tiny Strawberry Begonia that I just started not long ago. A tiny piece fell off of my SB hanging basket and I just laid it on the soil in the terrarium and it rooted and is now starting to grow. I think that when I prune the others back that it will grow a lot better. Right now the Fittonias are taking over everything.
Jesse
Beautiful Jesse good work and growing your full of talent :))
I love that Jesse!!! Thanks for the pics!!! Love the Mini Papa too!! I've never even thought of doing that before and I've got 3 tanks around the house....mmmmmmm........
I noticed Steve is selling Vf-11 at a real good cost. I think you get a 16 oz bottle and 8 oz. for only $7.95 ! This amount will make 24 gallons of food !
.I'd like to mention that Eleanor's VF-11 is not a bloom booster .
( Quote) VF-11 is not a 'push' like other fertilizers....think of it as a strength
and health builder. It's loaded with the many minerals so lacking in
in our soils. And it's in a form that your plants can absorb immediately
Very gentle, non-toxic VF-11 nutrients all your plant needs Micro nurtients also.
I had special papers from Eleanor with everything more information if I can find it.
Eleanor is always happy to answer any of your questions too :))
Allison, who is Steve? I need to get some more VF-11 because I have run out and $7.95 is a good deal.
Jesse
jesse
Steve has that great web sight with all type of growing info and he sells leaves on line, and trades and sells on Ebay too.
Here is the link to VF-11
http://www.reedsgreenhouse.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=144
He also sells other supplies pots and more ! He has a good fish food/good for foliage feed or even put into your plant water. I use to like putting it into a leaf just after the babies started coming up I'd give them a drink and put the close under the lights and it gave them a good healthy boost.
I did this with VF-11 too. Before VF-11 I could never root Streptocarpus leaves. After they rooted like weeds !
I think Allison means Steve at Reed's Greenhouse.
http://www.reedsgreenhouse.com/store/index.php
I've bought supplies and plants/leaves from him in the past, via eBay and his web site. He's always been very good at answering questions, too. I didn't know he was selling VF-11, but it's good to know. Thanks, Allison!
Stephanie
yup that's Steve his link is in our stick too. Yes I bought way back when too many exspensive leaves from him on Ebay way over a year ago all those wonderful babies have fount homes with you all :))
Steve has a wonderful web sight !
yes selling VF-11 is exciting as it is hard to find places that sell small amounts for good cost and then if you need some pots you can order them the same time !
Oops! We were both posting at the same time, Allsion, but your message made it in first! ;-D
I will definitely keep him in mind when I need to reorder more VF-11, although I think his shipping rates may be a bit higher than Charley's. Either way, it's always good to have more than one source, right?
Stephanie
I love Charlies too !
What I do like is Steve is selling the bonus package you get the 8 oz. bottle too ! But is shipping out weighed the cost would make a difference I always like to check this .
So I went and did this !
Charlie up to $10.00 shipping is $4.95
and Steve for the double bottle was $4.20 if I got the correct cents :))
their both good deals but I'd go with the double bottle as long as Steve is carry it :))
I wish Charlie sold the small pots .
It is good to have more than one source never know when one will stop selling or price go up.
I ordered my VF-11 from Charley's a few months ago, thinking it was just the pint bottle as is pictured on the site, but got the bonus pack anyway! I don't know if they're still shipping the bonus pack instead of the single pint bottle, but it might be worth contacting them to find out.
Stephanie
wow maybe Charlie still does sell them that way. I don't know when Steve started selling VF-11 but I know many gardners use it all the time so this is nice.
BUT when I put my zip code in the shipping cost went higher $$.
So a person living where I do it would cost me to buy from Steve went to like $9.00 Shipping and CHarlie's only $4.95
So best to check your zip code if ordering from Steve.
They both are wonderful places to shop. And Steve has an excellent web sight ! Were so lucky to have so many places to go for our growing needs !
Well I just ordered my VF-11 from Reed's Friday. I got a couple of other things too. It was cheaper for me to get it from him than from Charley. With all that has been going on with DH and his seizures, my doctor told me that it is very important that I take some time just for myself. So I spent many hours in the greenhouse brushing every single leaf of every plant with a small soft paint brush. Then I top watered all of them with the little bit of VF-11 that I had left. I really enjoyed my time and with just me and my plants and I think they enjoyed it too. Now all I need to do is order some pots so I can take all of the babies that I have and put them all in their own pots.
Jesse
Jesse,
Isn't it amazing what those little plants can do? I've been going through about the same thing, DH was in an accident and has required my care for the last 9 months, that left no time for me. My escape is my plants. Potting, brushing, watering, I can spend hours just me and them and it helps me keep my good sense. I know exactly how you feel. We both need to make sure we keep taking that little bit of time just for us.
Susan
Jesse I feel the same way ! Everyone in their life will at sometime need a caregiver and most likly be a caregiver.
Steve ships fast too ! He sells pots and other things which makes it nice easy ordeing !
Jesse the best place for ordering the 2 inch pots that are good for babies until their 6 inches across and minis/semis for life is Secret Gardens. Great prices nice sturdy pots.
Plants are fun and enjoyable to grow !
Plant therapy...priceless!!! My two older girls call my basement (where most of my plants are) my therapy room. Yeah...and what I need therapy for...God only knows for sure, but I do enjoy my time with my plants, thinking time that I feel brings me a little closer to God. I received my VF-11 from Charley's the other day and the pint bottle I bought had the bonus 8oz bottle with it. Just realized that after reading this thread. I'll see how it works.
Awesome Vf-11 Don't forget " NEW" users o vF -11 it likes to work along. Leach plants, or and use no food/fertilizer for a month. Don't use soil mixes with food.
When I first used VF-11 a few years ago I trans-planted all my plants. One reason when I joined my local AV group I learned all my plants were in pots too large.
Two I ordered a 4 gallon case after using my free 8 oz. we then used it for our lawn and flower beds outside. I wanted to make sure all my AV's and Gesnerias were fretilized free so VF-11 would work properly and I would not cause damage using more than one typy of food.
I'd like to ad from paper from Eleanor That Vf-11 is a Complete Plant Food !!! It also has Trace elements needed by your plants. Iron, Manganese, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, plus calcuim and magnesium .
Also VF-11 creates " No toxic buildup" and maintains a perfect PH so no need to flush out your tanks, pots... VF-11 is a health builder It strenthens the immune system . Mildew and fungal diseases will disappear. Your saying WOW it's incredible ! Yes you bet it is !
Call Eleanor for any help or questions or visit her web sight and email her for a free 8 oz. sample good for 8 gallons of food !
phone - 1-800-711-8585
www.VF-11plantfood.com
Have fun ! Email Eleanor; eleanors@vf-11plantfood.com
WOW Kell 11 years using VF-11 !! I gues I have been using it now about 4-5 years hard to keep track of time flying.
Eleanor VF-11 has been around at least 40 years that I know of !
You can buy it here direct by case and save.
http://www.siliconvalleywebproducts.com/
Today was so busy sure many missed this link where you can buy direct.
Charley's Greenhouse also carries it....that is where I got mine from.
http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/
Joanne
Yes Charlie is great too ! And Steve is carry it but I did find out after Stephanie mentioning shipping was higher/
The link I lwft if to by by the case. You can save money . Few years ago we bought by case and used it on our lawns, gardens beds they never looked better !