Hello everyone,
I am new to growing African Violets and need a little help...I have about 6 plants that I potted in self watering containers using Miracle gro African Violet mix, which I am now thinking is too heavy. Should probably repot in soil less mix correct? Can you recommend a source for this type of soil? Also which fertilizer does everyone favor?
Thanks for any and all help
I've also just joined the AVS society and I hope that turns out to be a good investment..
Jill
New to this Forum
Hi Rosa;
So glad you joined the group. I think you will find this group very helpful & especially nice.They are all alot of fun & very giveing.My thoughts on miracle grow is that it is to heavy.I use my own mix which is 1 pt. pro mix,1 pt. vermiculite & 1 pt pearlite.It's a nice lite mix & works great for me.as far as fertlizers go, i use a few different ones, jacks classic 20-20-20 peters 12-36-14. whatever works good for you.I also use ultra growth.I also live in illinois. i don't think you are that far from me.lol
mrsbonnie
We can't find pro mix down here and my humidity is high also. If I have to use the Miracle Grow African violet soil=less mix, I just add the same amount of perlite to it and however much vermiculite you need for your climate....Vermiculite holds water and that is not what I need but you may.
You could probably just follow Bonnie's mix. She is such a good grower.
Where do you get the ultra pro mix?
Bonnie do you belong to the IL AVS?
I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago..near Elgin IL
Jill
Hi Rosa;
I am a distributor for ultra growth here in the states, it comes from canada,this is like a vitamin for plants. the other is pro mix soil from home depot. yes i belong to northern ill. gesneriad society & i also belong to the fox valley african violet soc.I live in ottawa il, near starved rock.
mrsbonnie
Oh, MrsBonnie: I've never heard of that name Starved Rock and was thinking it must be a common nickname locals gave to a place. It sounded so interesting I had to google ... and found this info: info: http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/layer.cfm
What a beautiful place. I've never been to Illinois but love National and State Parks ... I bet it's gorgeous in spring and summer time!
hmmm ... I see below your name it says you are zone 9a ... that's the same zone as me but I'm waaay south in Florida.
Tell me about this Ultra Growth. I've never seen it for sale down here in my local area, is it just a regular plant food? Liquid or pellet type? Is it for blooms or just regular growth? Maybe I will go google to see what I find.
Hi Rosa
I too live in IL Near Wisc. I live in Waukegan close to 6 Flags in Gurnee Il I also try and grow AV I am doing lets say OK But I have done alot of reading and Tell me if I worng Ladies aked alot of questions and they all answer you with VERY GOOD information. I enjoy comming on this web site because if I wanted to I colud learn how to build a house.
I do use the Miracle Grow but i also put in the perlite and the vermiculite somtime peat moss I do grow other plants so they too are also great people. One thing you it take alot of time for And AV to grow
take care and ask alot soon you we will be having our trades they are so much fun
Good Luck
Dimmer(AKA) Kim
Welcome! I'm glad you found your way over to this forum. What fun to have another Jill! (Not to worry, I generally go by "Critter" -- no confusion.)
There's a lot of great information on the "sticky" thread at the top of this forum... click a link or two when you have some time. You might also find this introductory DG article helpful: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/249/
You're probably right about that soil mix being too heavy, especially in self-watering pots. The mix is fine, but you probably want to use it in combination with perlite -- 1/2 to 2/3 perlite plus 1/2 to 1/3 potting mix.
Another trick with the self watering pots is to give the roots a break every so often by letting the reservoir go dry for a week... you may have to water just a little from the top to restart the self-watering action (dry potting mix can pull away from the sides of the inner pot). Also, don't fill the reservoir pot all the way up; if the bottom 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the inner pot is wet, that's just perfect!
The most important thing is to enjoy your new plants & have fun!
Hi Plant lady;
I think i wrote before about the ultra growth as some of the members said i should put it on the selling page?As i am a distributor of it.you can type in ultra growth.ca that should take you to the web site. they are out of canada & there shipping is to costly for us, so thats why i became a dist..i swear by the stuff.
mrsbonnie
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome!
Bonnie, Thanks for your help, I did get over to HD for the ultrapro..it was out in the yard (still somewhat frozen) but I'm sure it has thawed by now. So much cheaper to make your own and better for all the plants. Plan to use it for my hanging baskets too.
I think you should put the Ultra growth in the classified pages. You would most likely do really well.
Jill