I am glad you asked this question. I was just wondering it myself. I usually use the Jobes Violet plant stakes...is that o.k.?

Hi Tish,
All fertilizers have numbers on them. The first number represents Nitrogen, second Phosphorus, third potassium.
If the numbers are equal they are basically the same formula. In the case of 20 20 20 this is a formula that gives good plant growth. A formula with a high middle number is a good formula for boosting bloom and is also good for variegated plants. Then there is 12 36 14 which is called AV Special. What you should look for is a formula where the three numbers total close to 60. In the case of 7 7 7 it too is a good plant food for general growth. Why these don't add up to 60 I don't know but the application is the same. What I am concerned more about is the presence of Urea nitrogen in the formula. Some AV's don't tolerate it.
Fred in NJ

Here is a link that might be useful: Dyna gro

In addition to Fred's message, when the three numbers don't add up to 60, the rest is inert material. Inert material is "filler material" or things that do nothing for the plant.

But remember it is not only the 3 numbers that are important in fertilizers, every one has a certain amount of trace elements. Your plants can go yellow or even die if they don't have the right trace elements. (For an article I wrote on this subject, please write to robitaillenancy1@hotmail.com.)

I prefer to use at least three or four different fertilizers in order to get the trace elements. You can use 20-20-20 all year long and have great plants. But if you are going to show you may like to change off to many different things including fish emulsion, epsom salts, tea, bloom busters such 5-52-10 which I use just before show, then go back to 20-20-20 or 15-30-15.

I'm not sure what "heavy feeder" is, related to violets because all violets, trailers, minis and semis and most episcias need weekly applications of fertilizer, 1/4 teaspoon to a gallon of warm water. Naturally every plant will get fertilizer salts buildup so each plant should be taken to the sink and have warm water washed though the root ball about every 6 weeks or so.

Nancy

Balanced fertilizers, such as 20-20-20 or others where the numbers are very close are excelent, no matter what brand.

You should check out the other form on here about tea leaves being a good fertilizer. I use tea leaves from all around, a good site to look at is TreysTea.com since they bring in fresh crop from india directly. Other than the tea leaves I dont use to much fertilizer on my plants. I drink my tea and then use the brewed leaves as fertilizer. lol (Saves me a ton of money!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Treys tea Link