If the fertilizer water evaporates at a faster rate (because of the amount of surface) from the large wells under the grid, does the remaining water have a heavier concentration of fertilizer? If so should I reduice the amount of fertilizer I disolve in the water? Right now I am doing a 1/2 dilution. Was wondering if it might be wise to change to 1/3 solution.
Any chemistry majors out there? Or perhaps good guessers?
Q=1/2 something + whatever.
Who can remember High School Chemistry?
Hope everyone has as beautiful a day as we are having in Silver Spring Maryland. We're talking a perfect 10 here.
Where's Kenton when ya need him.
I would have to say, Yes, in theory what you say above sounds correct. (only been 15 years since I took college chem)
My hard drive (brain) isn't able to access those files at the moment. LOL.
Sounds right to me, I think, but could have to do with what kind of fertilizer. Seems like I've seen on some to not mix until ready to use, because of loss of potency within certain time frames, so it might or might not build up. :-) What kind of fertilizer are you using?
Sharon
Ooooops, I will pretend I did not see this thread. ;o)
I use Optimara 14-12-14. It says mix one pouch in a gallon of water and use each time you water. Suggests a plastic bottle. Since most people don't have 100 plants I'm sure the potency remains . Doesn't say use immediately.
I think I will start making 3 gallons from one pouch.
yes, I would reduce the amount of fertilizer...
The other thing you might do is to make some observations on an empty flat and see how much water tends to evaporate in a week... I know this will be variable, but it might be helpful to know that, for example, adding 1/4 inch of water to the flat will roughly replace the amount lost to evaporation and keep your fertilizer levels more consistant.
Good idea Jill. Thanks
heh.... you brought out my inner scientist... now, a chemist would never have advised such a thing, as the data would be far too variable... but biologists are used to "softer" numbers!
the Water evaporate but fertilizer does not.
Your plants will need a regular feedingprogram . ( as we all know ) ferilizer at 1/ 8 strength of fertilizer is recommended and needed in your reservoirs , covered pots, or plastic trays...And like Nanna mentioned there is the evaporation to consider and fertilizer does not evaporate ! I have read in several Av books, magazines, learning links that rinsing your reservoirs out and fill fresh at least once a week.
Here is a great link for people wanting to know more about wicking.
I also posted another great link while back for people thinking of wicking worth reading !
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/wicking.htm
RainGazer
Mar 28, 2006
I found this at Rob's FAQ section. Third question down, if it doesn't go right to it.
http://www.violetbarn.com/faq_page_10.htm#wick%20fertilizing
That's very true Amy 1/8 tsp. is the recommended amount of fertilizer to use for wick water. But you also do have to take into consideration while the water in your containers evaporating the fertilizer does not.
The link I got from Sticky on wicking is excellent. And there's lot's more info out there :))
You know, that's a good point... I think I'd just dump the reservoirs into a bucket & refill them... I have lots of other house plants who would appreciate a little AV fertilizer in their drink, and that would eliminate the guesswork. You could rinse the reservoirs, or you could just fill them with plain water every so often... I think sometimes plants appreciate a little break from fertilizer.
I think Allison cleared this up with her latest post, but just to clarify, it's 1/2 strength fertilizer that's recommended for wicking... and for most fertilizers, that means 1/8 tsp per gallon.
I am using half strength right now. I think what I am going to do is put only enought of the half strength fertilized water in the wells that will be used in 3 days and refill at least twice a week. It is so very simple to do. This way the build up won't occur. When I go on vacation I can double or tripple the amount of water I put in the trays and at that point I will weaken the amount of fertilizer even more. Upon returning from vacation I will water with only plain water.
The trays are not showing any signs of algae or build up in the botton at this point; which is just a little over one week. The blossoms and leaves are not showing any signs of fertilizer burn or build up.
The only time I had a little algae was in cold Winter. I'm sure everyone is different.
Unfortunately fetilizer burn or build up any problems can take a long time for them to show up.
Jill I feel the same way a break once in Awhile having non fertilizer is a big help toward healthy plants. !
I'd like to bump this great thread up and add and add to it a link to my new thread explaining where the fertilizer, minerals, salts...go after the water has evaporated
and the fertlizer, minerals, salts do not and can not will not evporate Where does it all go . You will want to find out
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/590187/
More info on plant food
More info