However I repeatedly see people here saying the minimum is a 1:1 ratio of 5%. What we say is 1:1 is the lowest approved ratio IF you are not using a tested, approved recipe. There are approved and tested recipes with a lower ratio both in the Ball books and at NCHFP. The recipe on a bag of canning salt may have been tested and approved. I can't say. But if it was it should stipulate that in the instructions. Otherwise it is just some recipe that the salt manufacturer put on the bag and it could be decades outdated. When it comes to evaluating safety in canning one has to consider the source. ie: which is more reliable? Ball Blue Book or some homemaker's personal blog? A recipe published in a 1954 cookbook or one in a recent edition of Ziedrich's Joy of Pickling? Normally I wouldn't consider a recipe on a bag of anything, even canning salt, to be a reputable source for canning info, especially when so many approved safe recipes are readily available from reliable sources. JMO Dave

I've mentioned this before. I use an acid blend that has a mixture of different acids. I find that jellies and such are more complex in tastes, and require more of a balanced acid. The blends are bought through wine making suppliers, and are a blend of malic, citric, and tarteric. All of which make for a very tasty, and safe jam or jelly. My jellies never taste like lemon, unless its one made of citrus fruits. Lime juice is also an option. Using fresh, will not give you the same acidity as bottled.

Hi lightning....according to David Liddle, most hoyas grow in a somewhat acidic medium. However, you're right, the eriostemmas seem to grow and bloom much better with lime added to the potting medium. Many growers, myself included, add pellitized lime to the potting medium...and use this for all plants. You may wish to also add charcoal to your mix....lime and charcoal are commonly added...it prevents the mix from getting "sour". Just be careful to not over do it. You can either mix it into the mix, or sprinkle a teaspoon on the surface of a 6-inch pot. Some people have tremendously great results doing this, however, I haven't really noticed a difference so far. Hope this helps. Fondly, Patrick

I always find folks laughing when the companies toot about guarantees for 100 years! Whenever my friend, my upline when I was a CM consultant, tells about the long guarantee, there is always someone in the crowd that comments how none of us will be around 100 years from now to know it the researchers were right. That is so true. I guess we just have to trust the researchers. That is why I stick with the reputable companies like CM, Mrs. Grossman, the big names. They have a lot invested in having a good product. Sometimes I see an odd brand sticker but I pass cause I just don't know if it is any good.