Almost out of fertilizer ...

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I am nearing the last bits of my favorite AV fertilizer. My main fertilization resource for the last 20 years or so ... is a KMART brand fertilizer which I have been able to use to great effect on my violets.

I have had a bad over-fertilization experience with Optimara AV fertilizer, though that was undoubtably my misuse of the product.

I also have (and have used, on occasion) the Schultz "7-drop" AV fertilization ... and that's likely what I'll continue when the KMART is gone.

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Comments (7)

AnneCecilia z5 MI
8 years ago
Except that the company that was in charge of marketing and distribution of the Schultz fertilizers went bankrupt last year and it is now hard to come by. Oh, you can buy some through Amazon (last of the reserve stock?) but the prices will shock you. I am almost down to my last dropper or two and dithering back and forth, trying to decide what I will use after it is gone as I refuse to pay $40 for an 8 oz. bottle - and I can't find any locally.
User
8 years ago
I came to search for the home made recipe I used last year. I think epsom salts??
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tommyr_gw Zone 6
8 years ago
epsom salts just provides magnesium. I use Orchid food for mine diluted 1/4.
Rosie1949
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I do use Orchid food for mine also. Seems to work just fine! But speaking of fertilizer, has anyone ever used Peters ? I haven't been able to find it locally. THAT is the type of fertilizer most greenhouses use. Works great, but it is a blue color. Why I don't know. hmmmmm.. Rosie
fortyseven_gw
8 years ago
Yes, it is recommended. I have some but don't know if it is still made. Rosie, I know you like to do searches on this forum, some time, plug in "fertilizers" and see if you can pull up some of the discussions from a year ago or so, they were fasincating!
irina_co
8 years ago
So far the best I could find is Dyna Gro - use at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. Urea free, good for foliar feeding too. A bit pricey. Plant Marvel - has good no urea formula - numbers similar to Peters - but now they only make big bags - make sense to order for the club. I am keeping from a high urea fertilizer for 2 reasons - first - urea doesn't get absorbed by the plant, second - since I am doing wicks and mats - it stumulates algae growth on the mats. And it is ugly. Plus you get a little bit of fungus gnats from outside - and the larva loves algae - and then you have enough fungus gnats to carry your dog away.
snappyguy
8 years ago
I've used both Optimara and Plant Marvel, and know many others who use Dyna Gro. All are excellent products. It is unfortunate that Plant Marvel only comes in large bags, but if you belong to a club and several members are willing to buy some, it becomes very economical. My local club did this just a couple months ago and we only paid the club $2 per pound to cover costs. That's a tough price to beat.

Almost out of fertilizer ...

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AnneCecilia z5 MI

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