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Does anyone use VF-11

14 years ago

I started getting back into hoyas and have been checking out that forum. Everyone sings the praises of this VF-11, on the gesneriad forum too. I'd never heard of it but it seems to be something similar to ST but you don't use it in conjunction with fertilizer. I placed an order today so I guess I'll find out soon enough but I was wondering if anyone had used it or heard anything about it?

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Comments (14)

haase
14 years ago
I watched the Smith Gardens video about vf-11 on YouTube.
They use it in a hose/spray bottle application, and just about on anything and everything, all over the leaves and the soil. No other fertilizer. Once a week.
Sorry, that's all I know.
Ingrid
chena
14 years ago
I had to look it up! BUT it sounds good.. Be sure to let us know how it works...My plants would probably enjoy something other than cow poop..LOL ;O)

Kylie
Related Discussions
Eleanor's VF-11 and miracle grow
Q
Comments (4)
Hmmmm. The guaranteed analysis of the primary macro-nutrients (NPK) in Eleanor's is Analysis: 0.15 - 0.85 - 0.55 This is less than 1% of ANY of the majors. 1/8 of 1% N, 7/8 of 1% P, 1/2 of 1% K. This is EXTREMELY low in fertility. Since I cannot find the rest of the analysis, I'm going to guess the rest of the nutrients are probably nonexistent or nearly so. I haven't used this potion (VF-11), but then, you don't need to ride the bus to know what makes the wheels go round & round. Forgive me for being somewhat skeptical or even cynical, but when vague claims are made like: ... and mildew is eliminated because VF-11 changes the pH and creates a condition where mildew can not grow. Once again, isn't it amazing? I wonder why there isn't something specific in the claim. Changes the pH of what? Soil? Cellular pH? Leaf surface pH - for how long? Hmmm I also wonder at: VF-11 builds so much strength and health that plant cells 'harden' and 'seal in' the amino acids which aphids feed on. You have merely eliminated their food supply. And you have done it without the use of poisonous systemic or pesticides. Pretty nice...huh? Don't aphids feed on sap. How does this product make the sap unavailable to aphids? Does it somehow make cells so hard that they cannot be penetrated and dry up all the intra-cellular plant water/sap? Should I/we be saying GMAB here? There's more, but you get the drift. I wouldn't say that this product has no benefit, as it may very well have some, but I am of the general feeling there is almost surely no panacean value to products like Superthrive or this elixir, and it's a good bet it's not the magic potion some may think it to be. I don't trust advertising that is known to be false and this alone is enough to fuel the skepticism in me. One thing additional: The claim that "you cannot overdo", means there could only be extremely minute (almost immeasurable or nonexistent) amounts of any micro-nutrients in it because micro-nutrient overdose produces toxicity at even low levels and over-doing would reveal readily visible symptoms quickly. Like I said, I wouldn't argue that it has no value, but I do know that I would invest in a good, known source of micro-nutrients and an appropriate fertilizer before I'd trust plant vitality to a product labeled with insubstantial claims. Al
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How do you use VF-11
Q
Comments (4)
DTM - Gabi's right. It's not really fertilzier per se. It's more like vitamins (well, really minerals...) for you plants. Just like with people, it's hard to take too many vitamins and minerals (though technically possible...) I, too, both water-in and use foliarly, though not daily. Some I spray when I water - some of my Hoyas are in my sunroom and I take them to the kitchen sink to water them, so I spray them at the same time. I don't like overspray to get on my woodwork... So those only get it when they're watered, about once a week (a little more often in summer...) But the ones in the GH (which has a tile floor and no nice woodwork to worry about) get sprayed down a couple times a week. My understanding is that it's more effective at night (as the stomata open at night, taking more of it in), but I don't often have time to do so at night, which is why I do it what I consider often. (Gabi - can't imagine taking the time to spray them all at least once a day!!! You must be very dedicated!!) I use the Eleanor's pretty much alone - no other fertilizers, that is. I do add hydrogen peroxide to my watering jugs, but that's just for aeration of the roots. Denise in Omaha
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Using VF-11 year 'round. . .
Q
Comments (9)
Nae, Not Denise,...but if you scroll all the way to the bottom of the website I posted below...You can get a free 8 oz. bottle from Eleanor's all you have to do is send $3.00 for shipping. There is an #800 you can call. Its suppose to make appx. eight gallons of solution. It also lists on her website some of the places you can order from. Here is a link that might be useful: VF-11 Website
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Eleanor's VF-11...can't find it!
Q
Comments (27)
It's funny cause I was just telling someone about this stuff and that I get it at Charley's Greenhouse (online) like PG said I had mentioned a while ago. But I always confuse Charley's and Reed's. I actually don't get mine at Charley's (although they DO sell it and they might be a great store..but I have no experience with them). Sorry for the mix-up. Anyway, I get mine from Reed's Greenhouse, and they sell a 16oz bottle for $7.99 with a bonus 8oz bottle for free. Just thought I'd mention that cause I think it's a great deal. They are also always very fast with their delivery. I'll attach a link to their page where they sell Eleanor's. I just checked Charley's and they sell 16oz for 7.35 and a gallon for 24.95. I don't think Reed's sells anything larger than 16oz, so if you want to buy in bulk, Charley's may be better. But you can't beat the bonus bottle at Reed's! Ok...that's it...information overload :) Here is a link that might be useful: Reed's Greenhouse - Eleanor's page
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knotz
14 years ago
Lol Kylie!!...It sounds better than miracle grow.

knotz
beachplant
14 years ago
Never heard of it but the hoya forum raves about it. Shipping is too expensive for me. Sounds like superthrive or something similar. I never fertilize my hoyas and they bloom and grow like crazy. I always thought they got most of their nutrition from the leaves. Maybe foliar feeding with this stuff? My conditions are so different from most of them, heat, humidity and the plants live outside year round. They all like to grow theirs in a soilless mix also. I'm not a fan of those. I like dirt. Probably because our yard is sand! There is no information on the ingredients of this product.
Tally HO!
marquest
14 years ago
Karyn have you seen any difference? I found some at a going out of business store today for 50% off and it was 5.00 for a gallon jug. If it is good I will go back and by the other bottle. LOL
sandysseeds007
14 years ago
I checked up on it and it sounds really good to use.
To save Canadians the time...it's not sold here.
Thanks for another tease anyway...lol
- Sandy
lboyce
14 years ago
karyn1.....I have used Eleanor's VF-11 for about two years now on all of my houseplants. My hoyas love it! Before I started using VF-11 my hoyas never bloomed...now that could be my fault but after using VF-11 I've gotten three of them to bloom. I just mix four capfuls per gallon of water and Iuse it every time I water with nothing else. On Eleanor's home page she use to have a place where she will send you a small bottle for $3.00 to cover S&H. I think it was an 8 oz bottle. I did that first in case I didn't like it but ended up stocking up.

It has my vote!

Linda
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
14 years ago
I had to look it up too. Let us know how it works :)
I'm trying bunny poo and chicken manure on mine this year.
marquest
14 years ago
Well it sounds like I should go buy that other bottle they had two. I know I saw somewhere that someone was using it with good results. So I did a search last night and saw this post and revived it to see if Karyn had good results.

Karyn where are you?......LOL
marquest
13 years ago
Bump
karyn1
Original Author
13 years ago
I can't say that I've noticed any great improvement with the VF-11 though I wasn't using it during the active growing season for the majority of my plants. You aren't supposed to use any additional fertilizers, micronutrients, etc with the VF-11 so I'll continue using it on the hoyas a while longer but am switching back to my regular fertilizer regiment with all others.
marquest
13 years ago
Thanks Karen. Since my Hoya did not do good last year I will try it this year on the Hoya and see what happens. Atleast I know it did not respond to Schultz fert
gottahosta
13 years ago
LOL, Lenette! I am lucky to get a huge load of composted chickie poo myself this year, for my veggies and for my brug seedlings. Hope to have more blooming (seedlings)this year. Last year's cool summer was not good for that!
Karyn, sorry you did not have a good trial for the product you mentioned.
This is the second year I am using mychorrizae on the brug seedlings, to really get them going outside with a good root system. And I water it in once a season on my potted mature brugs. I have noticed a definite difference with my seedlings, not so much my other brugs. So, I will continue to use it on my seedlings only. I have heard that michorrizae is not good for some plants but can't remember off the top of my head what they are.
karyn1
Original Author
13 years ago
I've never used chicken poo but I do use bunny pellets. I use mycorrhizal fungi on everything. We also innoculate the fields at the farm with mycorrhiza thru the irrigation system. I didn't realize that it was bad for any plants. We absolutely noticed a difference when we began using it, probably about 10 years ago. The only problem is that you can't use any type of pesticide once the soil has been innoculated or you kill the mycorrhizal fungi so it's only good for organic gardeners.

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