hello, everyone! happy holidays and i still can't get away from the garden. christmas eve daytime was spent nursery hopping. finally picked up SUPER THRIVE, and while looking for HORMEX, the lady at the garden dept suggested "VF-11." since i have not heard this product from DGers, i politely thanked the lady and declined the product - - - but will google it first and ask around.
so, has anyone used this?
thanks! would love to hear your input
sincerely,
annapet
http://www.californiagoldjojoba.com/html/plant_food.html
VF-11 "The Champagne Of Plant Foods"
Good morning, Annapet. Merry Christmas to you! Here's a link to her website...
http://www.vf-11plantfood.com/
Barb
merry christmas, barb! thanks. what do you think? should i go experiment?
i wish there are testimonials here though.
hmnn...the link that i listed has plant food and hair products. lol.
I have used the stuff for years, Annapet. I use it as a tonic and mostly as a foliar feed. My flowering annuals love it.
thanks, kell. i'll go get some then.
hubby wanted to rescue "inca princess" for me yesterday, but the nursery in mill valley who has it was closed. he did get me the 48" wide shelving unit from costco.
Anapet, are your shelves the real strong chrome ones on wheels? I think they are and just like mine that my daughter bought me for my birthday last year. They are wonderful. And so deep. I put 4 light fixtures on each shelf.
And someone told me to get the daylight bulbs that they are better than the others. I was putting one warm and one cool. Can't remember who told me that. Do any of you have any thoughts on them? Now I remember, it was the guy in the garden department at HD. They are more expensive than the others but I don't remember how much more.
VF-11 sounds good to me.. I was looking for something to put on mine.. as I'm apart of a boycot of mericle grow this year... After the news story on MG... seems MG is fireing all employees that smoke.. and not just at work... smoking in thier homes is forbidden them... and they risk termination if they are caught or somehow detected smoking.. out at a bar or playing golf... smoking is a no no ... I'm a smoker... although not a proponent of every one or any one doing so.. I feed the corporate involvement into a persons life is a bad road to go down... for whatever monatary reason they are doing so... so no more MG 20-20-20... and no more bloombooster for me...
cow manure.. spray-n-grow.. messenger.. and perhaps VF-11
Gordon
Sounds like a great product. I don't see it listed for sale on the East Coast, I'll keep an eye out. Meanwhile, I think I'll call her for a trial bottle.
I used VF-11 a long time ago on my house plants, hadn't thought about using it outside, maybe I'll get some & try it. I do use the SuperThrive.
I'm not a smoker, but that is pretty extreme for MG to fire smokers.
I don't think MG is all that great compared to some foods that are out there anyway.
Way to go Gordon!!! I'm an ex-smoker and I think it is awful how these companies and the arogance of butting into other peoples business is disgusting.
On their property and place of employment is one thing, but on your own time none of their business.
Jeanette
I to am a smoker. I try to be considerate, and respect other people's rights. I won't even smoke in my own home when other people visit. But I will be darned if any one will tell me what I can do and don't do in my own space! I haven't bought MG because of this!
Melanie
Peter's makes a 20-20-20 and it's usually available at Lowe's
Mary, use Peter's products with care. They use urea-based nitrogen and it tends to make the uptake of nutrients more difficult with extended use. This is especially true with AV's and is why I stopped using their products totally. As a general rule, less than 10% urea is acceptable and everything I've seen of Peter's is much higher than that.
Just MHO....
Annapet, I've never used Eleanor's VF-11 but have heard many positive things about it.
Barb
Thanks for the tip Barb. Actually, I use Peters Cal Mag 15-5-15 because it was recommended by an experienced brug grower. The urea nitrogen is 2.5% However, this is a professional product and hard to find locally or at hobby nurseries. I had to buy a big bag in order to get it. Shipping was a killer too. Don't know that I'd do it again.
jeanette, yeah - - - it's the pretty sturdy one. here's the link.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=34972&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1
fluorescent-wise, hubby got me the ge plant & aquarium kind. says, "...specially designed to promote growth and flowering of plants, so they look healthier and greener...." we'll see how it works. it's inexpensive.
bj, thanks for the testimonial. you know i'll get it tomorrow.
my goodness, had no clue about MG being nazis, kin. i use the one available at costco (i don't stray very far). i don't smoke, but hey, for those who do...they should be able to do WHATEVER in their own home.
20-20-20 is what brugs want? one year here and still clueless.
barb thanks. well, i was honest with the lady at yardbird. i did say, "i'll ask my friends and google the product first..."
so, while we're at this...i need help on CARE FOR SANGUINEA SEEDLINGS!
thank you.
Mary, MG bought out Peters triple 20. Found that out last summer.
I guess the reason for the Nazi-ism on the smoking is because of the cost of health insurance.
I have used Elenor's VF-11 before and liked it real well. I used it in conjunction with Oxygen Plus, which I did not know at the time is peroxide. Very expensive peroxide. But that is not necessary to use them together.
Anapet I sent you info regarding the sangs on the other thread.
Jeanette
Happy New Year everybody...Ive been away from the forum abit and now Im finding all kinds of new fertilizers to buy...lolol....You guys are a bad influence....Just got off ebay from buying worm castings....after Christmas shopping....got to love it....judy
Was it worm castings that gnats hated? I read something on another thread but now can't find it. I need to get some at the hydropnics store when I go this week. Till now Ihave been too cheap to buy some. LOL
Kell this is the first time Ive bought or even tried to use the castings...I hope it does help against the gnats since Im seeing some fly around the inside of my house....and Ive sent an email to Eleanor to see what the prices would be for them to ship to Michigan...oh another thing to make my babies look beautiful...Judy
Brugs are worse than kids Judy, sucking all your money away! LOL. And I have a very expensive son too! Thank God they do not all want to go to college! Or worse, law school. LOL
Well Kell you are investing in your future with sending your son to law school.....I would love to have a lawyer in the family now a days.....and yes the brugs are sucking away all my money....lolol..Judy
I tried the sample bottle but maybe it wasn't enough for a trial run because I didn't discern a noticible difference after using it up.
Jan...
This message was edited Dec 27, 2005 3:30 PM
Jeanette, thanks! Is your shelf unit up and running with the lights now? So happy mine is. My seedlings spent their first night there last night. I have to get more lights and fixtures.
That is awesome, Kell.
Judy, the stuff we buy for our brugs!
I will definitely try this product, Jan.
Rain, rain go AWAY!
Ahhhh...rain! I sure wish we had some. There are fires burning all around us today and the wind is gusting to 45 mph.
Annapet....I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in here. I've used VF11 for 2 years and really like it. In the summer of '04 I could see a big difference in using it. As far as 2005 goes....I used so much 'stuff' that I couldn't guess what was doing good or not! LOL And 2005 was NOT a good year for brugs here. I'll be waiting to see how you like it, Annapet.
Brinda, thanks for the input. I'll have a control group and an experimental group.
Wish I can send some rain your way.
Sometimes I think these additives we use really help when our soil is deficient in what ever is in the additive. And if our soil is not deficient, they do nothing. So sometimes we get great results and sometimes we see no change.
I do a lot of growing on pots, so mine are constantly flushed and need soil boosters between repotting. I notice my in ground brugs just do so much better as far as growth. Their roots can seek out what they need I guess.
well... The bigger the container the better they do... after getting bigger that is.. a tiny cutting should be kept in a smallish pot so it can dry out and give the brug a sence of change..
my smaller potted ones..don't do nearly as well as my larger potted ones...
and they don't do nearly as well as the ones in the long trough planter that's 22' long..
I believe they realy like to have room to expand the roots... the soils are the same in all.. Gordon
So true Gordon! I wish I could go bigger than 25 gallons but I just can't handle those big tubs. I do root pruning and add new soil every spring and that really helps to keep them happy in pots. But you are so right, they really like to set down good roots.
Just read through this - had no idea about MG but they are now definitely on my do not buy list. I am also a smoker and try very hard to be considerate about it. I know it's not good, but I will be the one to decide, so....... what other brands of potting soil do you recommend?
Kell, speaking of pots, I'd really love to go to NorCal Pottery Outlet. Although, if Pottery & Beyond in Emeryville is NOT too pricey, I may go there instead.
Gordon, right on with the bigger pots. And my newly rooted and potted cuttings are in 4" pots. I don't want root rot! Killed my first brug.
Pottingsoil-wise, I use Super Soil, but I'm a newbie. Please don't listen to me. LOL.
LOL Annapet, I bet you know tons. And soon the rate you are going, you will be the expert around here.
I have used Super Soil for over 30 years. But then a couple of years ago I noticed newly planted plants just sat there. No umff anymore. So ever since I try what ever and mix it all together. I never can replicate my soil batch to batch though. The year before last I had the best soil. I had walked into Lowes and they were getting rid of huge bags for $1. I bought tons and tons. Many trips. I mixed them up and I had the best year, soil wise. Last year I had the worst soil. From day one the pots dried out every day.
Here it is so wet in the winter, I never plant in big pots if I plant now. I let them sit pot bound till spring then over pot them in huge pots in as heavy soil as I can put together and then just watch my watering carefully till the roots have chance to grow out. But in spring everything is so easy!
Oh Annapet, a new pot place! Pottery & Beyond in Emeryville. I never heard of it. Sounds good except I can not fit one more pot in my courtyard. What kind of pots do they have? Nor Cal usually has little now. I haven't been there for a long while. Sue goes though I do not think she has been there either for awhile. I have a place on E. 14th I am addicted to. Vietnamese pots. i will email you the particulars.
I'm BACK fresh from the hydroponics store =). Plant It Earth in San Francisco (Castro). That place is TROUBLE!
Finally got my heat mat, neem oil, and Liquid Bloom. Had no idea Dyna-Gro is LOCAL. More expensive there than the Dyna-Gro site, but their shipping is $8.48 UPS Ground, and I can't wait.
I'm still without VF-11...saving that for tomorrow's trip. Santa is STILL in town. LOL.
BTW, wasn't too thrilled about NorCal. LOW is a perfect way to describe them this time of year. Perhaps when they have new shipment.
I'll hit P&B when Annie's open.
I am not speaking to you, Annapet. I stopped by Costco on the way home from work just for a peek at their roses. Well of course a peek led to a grab. LOL. All your fault!
I was afraid NorCal woudl disappoint you. You have to be careful too, most of their inventory are seconds. The Vietnamese place has all first quaility and the stuff is 50% off. I esp like the tall, slender pots, I can fit more in. LOL. They have that bright gaud blue that I love too!
I am in trouble too now that I found a hydroponics sotre. They have so much. So much more fun than any nursery I have ever been to as far as non plant items.
So what is the skinny on Dyna-Gro? Hot stuff?
Oh, no! Costco can't be trouble. LOL. Kell, I'm still holding off on roses.
The thing is, all year, I've heard of neem oil, and just got it today. 100% pure it says. I'm psyched.
Next to it is Liquid Bloom, and was so easy to grab. LOL. The detail on that, cut and pasted here:
"This 32 oz. (quart) Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 is a low nitrogen, high phosphorous concentrate containing all 6 essential macronutrients and all 10 essential micronutrients that every plant, including orchids, needs. Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 is specifically formulated to produce large, vibrant blooms. It is ideal for roses, African Violets, orchids, and all other flowering plants. Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 supplies a balance of low ammoniacal to nitrate nitrogen needed to avoid stem elongation in flowering plants and vegetables. Apply Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 before flower buds appear to help initiate flowering."
LARGE VIBRANT (I guess it means, so pink you can't ignore) BLOOMS.
One group will get this, and one group will get VF-11. Ha-ha! I'm going to run a full experiment. My husband thinks I'm nuts.
I was almost upset the whole clan tagged along with me today. I needed room for MY STUFF. But we have family visiting.
How good natured that they wanted to go with you! I couldn't pay my family to tag along with me. LOL.
Is that Neem in a white plastic container with black lettering? I got that too but it is terrible in winter. It is solid when cool. LOL. I will have to wait to use it for the summer when it is warmer. The stuff at Lowes is mixed with something to make it easy to use. I regret not sticking with that.
Uh-oh...I smell TROUBLE in the midst. Too much good info...Annapet, my Dad has used the VH-11 for a year or so now and I really see the differnce in bloom. However, he has more aphids this year than usual. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I have read the stuff high in nitrogen weakens the plants to bugs, disease, etc. That is why I stopped using MG years ago (unless I'm really trying to show off on short notice). It did give lush growth and plants, but the bug factor was over the top.
Kell, I swear by worm castings. I buy them by the bag at a commercial nursery where the pricing is more reasonable and truly a few tablespoons for each plant is like a burst of energy to them. They love it. And I have read and believe that they help repel the bugs, disease, etc., probably because they get so much healthier, they are resistent. Anyhow, I make sure there are plenty of worms in my compost bins, too, from now on.
Angela, I always wondered what is in VH-11. It seems pretty weak NPK wise. .15 .85 .55. Eleanor says you can poor an entire bottle on 1 plant and you can't burn it.
I too have read that rapid green growth causes bugs to come a running. Made sense to me why brugs get covered in mites. When I didn't fertilize, I never had bugs! All could be a coincidince, but it is an interesting concept.
So aren't you going to tell me what commercial nursery you get your worm casting from, Angela?? LOL. Hey girl, spill the beans. At the hydroponics store that stuff and bat guano is so expensive. So far I have been too cheap to spring for it.
I always wondered why people didn't buy tons of those red worms and let them loose in the garden. Wouldn't they make all sorts of good stuff as they live there?
You sure would think the red worms would be good Kell. I bought one of those small compost bins for the kitchen and love it. I empty it each week and it doesn't smell, draw gnats, etc. It has filters so it keeps odors out. That would feed your worms.
I always thought it would be neat to raise them. But I don't want them in my house so what would I do with them in the winter? Could even use them for fishing.
Jeanette
I already have lots of worms in the back yard but wanted some in the front yard bed so I bought like a pound of them a few years back and tossed them in the bed. Until they were established, I supplemented them with coffee grounds, crushed egg shell, veggies, etc.
I still dig them up now and then when planting new annuals.
Jan...
Oh, Kell...my 3.5-year old says, "No more mima plants." (mima for mami, backwards...) My honey still loves to carry things for me. He's also the designated cart driver. But the OTHERS who slow me down and take up VALUABLE SPACE should be left behind at home. LOL. I'm so bad.
Ack! That's the neem oil I got. Yay. Next time then, Kell. Where is the closest Lowe's from me anyhow? I have no clue.
Hmnnn...raising worms next?
=)