AV help needed

All Right Ya'll-- you tempted me and tempted me and I broke down and bought 3 AV's (and some leaves). Now I need some help. I remember from the last time that I grew them that they did better for me when wicked instead of hand watered,(I hand water all my other gessies). I hand watered the last I had and they died a slow and painful death, euthanasia was the only answer. It has been not only years but decades since I wicked a plant(and successfully grew AV's). I need a soil recipe for wicking, buying a prepared wicking mix is out of the question since there is no place to get it around here. I could mail order something-- but shudder at the shipping charges. What type of material do I use for wicks? I know I have seen this posted in various threads but that sometimers tends to kick in and I can't remember where... So PRETTY PLEASE all you AV people-- HELLLLLP ^_^

You have dmail.

for wicking you can use yarn or masons twine,use the 18 thickness,its what I use

JIM
for yarn use 4 ply right ???

I'll share what I do for wicking violets or most gesneriads in my environment. I use...

1 part -Peat Moss, Fafard, ProMix, any good quality bagged/baled product. I don't like Schultz and I avoid product with fertilizer in it already for my purposes.

2 parts - coarse/super coarse Perlite, again none that have fertilizer. I happen to use Schundler.

1 part - coarse or very coarse vermiculite...I use Schundler.

I wick with premium braided (not twisted) nylon mason twine #18. A single strand is fine for up to a 4" pot. For a 4" pot and larger, I double the strand.

I insert the wick through a hole in the bottom and draw the wick across to the opposite side of the pot from the hole and insert into a slit I have made in the pot rim. This secures the wick and helps with even water distribution.

If you have purchased plants with heavy soil meant for hand watering, then you will have to remove most of it because it isn't suitable for wicking.

I constant feed at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Which fertilizer I choose depends on my purpose with the plant and whether it is all green or variegated.

I hope this helps a little Hillbilly_Gran to get you started ^_^.

Thanks-- just what I needed to know!! Syrumani is sending me some mix--but I probably won't be able to stop with just 3 AVs ;)

I ran into a problem using the shultz soil--too much fertilizer...tight centers. I also use the mason twine--makes really good wicks.