Well, there is no change in ph from the water that sits overnight to the water straight from the tap. Just to make sure, I tested the fish tank water, and that was a higher ph, so I know the test strps work . . . I wonder if it would be worth the effort to make my own mix in order to raise ph levels, or should I just get some drops that raise the ph levels in water? Hmm . . .
Culture of Gesneraids
Why do you need to change the pH?
Syrumani, you should check your water's PH after you add everything to it. Depending on which fertilizer you use, it can change the PH.
Rox
Ok, I think something is wacky . . . is it possible for the ph to be different in the am than it is in the pm? Last night I tested the water that had been sitting out for the day, and fresh from the tap. They both came out around 5.5. I just tested the ph in 3 bottles - one plain, one with bloom booster, and one with normal fertilizer - all fresh from the tap, and the ph is around 6.5 - except the bloombooster water was a little lower. Weird. I wonder if this means I should only water in the morning?
Hillbily_Gran . . . I'm reading the Growing to Show book (again!), and my current obsession is ph. It says in the book that AV's grow and bloom best with a ph between 6.2 - 6.9.
Ah Hah!! If your soil pH is acidic, you may want to decrease the amt. of peat or use something more neutral.
And that is why I am looking into making my own mix . . . I need more, and tomorrow I will need to either go get more of the mix from Boerne, or get the stuff to make my own. . . . I'm leaning toward making it myself . . . but I need to find where to get all the ingredients. I saw that HD had some peat . . .
I was at Lowes, they have the small bags of perlite and vermiculite. Our HD quit carrying that stuff a couple months ago, as did walmart. Our local feed store sells the big bags of vermiculite for $14 not sure if they have perlite or not.need to stop and ask. Anyway, a good hardware store might have some ingredients.
I am doing 3 more tests . . . each type of water with the soil mix . . . I am now wondering if the soil mix is lowering the total ph. The ph on the water itself is acceptable . . . the tests I've done the last few days were with the soil included . . . 15 more minutes will tell!
the peat will definately lower the pH--it is naturally acidic
I'm trying out a new product line for my streps...Nature's Creation Organics. I have used the foliar feed and like it. Derived from: Bird Guano, Seaweed Extract, Potassium, and Fish Emulsion.
I also have the organic fetilizer from the Nature's Creation line.
Yesterday, I repotted some streps and foliar fed them and afterwards they looked like dark green polished leather.
Very interesting! I like Organic! I will have to look for that stuff.
Found a site that sells the 26oz concentrate, buy one $9.99 get one Free: http://www.esbenshades.com/onlineshopping/proddetail.asp?prod=689076475471
That's a good deal if ordering online. Thanks for the link, Lin.
what concentration do you use? I just went to the link Lin posted and ordered some(they ship to PO boxes^_^ so many vendors won't)
My photo above shows the foliar feed. Comes ready made.
This is the concentrated liquid Nature's Creation organic plant food. I am trying this on my streps only at this time. You are to mix 1oz to a gallon of water. Derived From: Bird Guano, Seaweed Extract, Potassium, and Fish Emulsion. It also contains Mycorrhizal Fungi which is contained in the ProMix I use also which they call 'Mycorise'.
About ProMix Ultimate Seeding Mix _
Contains MYCORISE, an exclusive biological growth enhancer which promotes plant growth and increases yields.
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SO%2DPM%2DUSM
Nature's Creation also has a dry organic fertilizer to be mixed in water that I want to get but just couldn't bring myself to cough up the 15.99 for it that day. I will one of these days.
Don't know anything about this company but do you think the price is in error for 16qts of the Promix Ultimate Seeding Mix? http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/product/ultimate-seeding-mix-by-pro-mix-16-quart
Looks like they sell a few plants too: http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/category/tropical-house
Gold Leaf--please be careful and perhaps try this 2 or 3 plants...I recently read something about this product on another forum, and the reviews were mixed. Wish I could remember more for you. Perhaps someone with a better memory read those reviews also?
It says that the concentrate can also be used for foliar feeding-- I can't see the #'s in the pic-- what is the NPK for the foliar spray?
When I click on the link...my computer doesn't go anywhere for some reason.
Went to your link Lin, that is a much better price-- I always check out shipping costs before I decide if it is a bargain or not-- some companies tend to make up their profit there it seems.
edited to add:
Ok checked out shipping costs:
the 12.75 bag costs 5.00 to ship
the 5.85 bag costs over 14.00 to ship
This message was edited Nov 11, 2008 3:51 PM
I can buy the ProMix of all kinds locally thank goodness.
The foliar spray (ready made) is...0.01-0.01-0.01
These are juvenile streps I repotted yesterday. The leaves are nice and glossy and healthy dark green.
The little pink and white flower in the above photo is Bristol's Petticoats...
What size cups did you repot them into, GoldLeaf91011? They look like the 8oz clear plastic cups?
Very pretty bloom! I wish the streps I have looked that nice!
They look gorgeous!!!
Bummer, I like you so much I sent you in the mail my only Petticoat strep!!!!!!!!!!
I just ordered that 'stuff' so my juvenile streps will be dark and glossy green like yours. I mean it...............they are oustanding looking. So many of mine get those long leaves going and I have to trim them so I get new growth.................
Yes, they are planted in the 8oz clear cups. I tried layering the mix. Perlite on the bottom, then a layer of my wick mix, then topped off with the ProMix Ultimate.
Oh...sorry, Gail. I'll send it back to you. It's one of my favorites. Thank you so much for being such a sweetie and sending it. You are so dear and thoughtful.
I think I am going back to my old mix because my streps were prettier then than now..........going back to peat moss, vermiculite and perlite.......
We all try different things over time and some we like and some we don't. Everyone finds what works well for them in their conditions. There are as many good ways to grow as there are growers.
episcia 'Rita's Pearl Passion'...
Gail, you mean you don't like the Volkmans as much, or another mix?
I am just talking out loud, Sally....................I love it for african violets..........but I think streps may do better with the more acidic peat moss and perlite..........but I don't know.............my streps don't look like they used to anymore............in the volkmann's.
Goldleaf.........look at you...........she is the nicest , softest episcia with the finest colors I have ever seen. (also never heard of Rita's Pearl Passion). Doesn't she have the best of the best of plants!
Phoebe - I meant to say earlier that I will be careful as these are new products for me and what you said is good advice.
Cool....And if you run into m3rma1d at MAAVS, she may well have more info about that product. Her brain is 30 years younger than mine, and it might have been on her forum that I saw the discussion.
Gail, when I get some extra stolons of Rita's Pearl Passion, i'll put your name on one.
Will do, Phoebe.
I have always loved as a foliar feed any kind of seaweed kelp..........fish emulsion if you can stand the smell.................but I just bought this one for the fun of it and see what the difference is in the actual 3 products on the side of the bottles.......ordered from Lin's site.
Jumping up when I read you would save a stolon for me! Thanks
Pearl is making a stolon now...let it get bigger.
Try the Nature's Creation foliar spray on a couple of your not so favorites and see if you like it. I have always loved fish emulsion in the past. Have you ever heard of when the salmon are running in Alaska and the bears eat the fish and leave remains on the banks and it becomes food for the plants that grow lush?
"Along my path of discovery I have learned many amazing things about our Pacific temperate rainforest, but I think by far the most fascinating story is that of how the salmon feed the forest. "
From here...a fascinating story.
http://www.tofinotime.com/main.htm?articles/A-T707-16frm.htm~BDfrm
I just used fish emulsion when I was watering some plants out on the pool deck today .... stinky, stinky stuff! The cat's noses were twitching with interest. They were real curious about it, probably thought I had some kind of treat for them. I guess they haven't been out there when I've used it in the past cause I never noticed them noticing before!
Wow! Great article! Thanks for sharing that GoldLeaf, Isn't nature amazing!
Yes, I bet your cats were interested! That's funny. We think it's stinky and they disagree ^_^.