Laura,

If your mix is working, don't 'fix' it unless you want to experiment a bit. The usual mix is 1-1-1, peat, vermiculite, and perlite.

Your day length is too long. Reduce your lights to about 10-12 hours and you will see better centers and blooming. You really do not need to regulate the blooming to obtain better leaves unless you are showing. Plants are very capable of regulating their own growth!

Plants have three functions that they carry out: Photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. Photosynthesis requires light and respiration requires darkness. Plants must have both to grow properly.

Linda

A lot of my AVs are very small still. I also have thrips in here, so until I find a way to discourage them from the flowers, there isn't much reason for them to flower. The flowers don't last long with thrips feeding on them.

I wont spray any chemicals, so nothing systemic. Right now I am trying neem oil insecticidal soap. If I spray it on the blooms just as they are opening, it doesnt seem to harm them. But I need something I can use on open buds before i will let them put energy towards flowering.