Oh..one more thing. Whoever uses VF-11, do you mist your leaves with the diluted fertilizer or do you mist with pure fertilizer? I'm assuming it's the former, but just want to make sure.

Hi Gabi,

If I may (since you've said you're a newbie), one of the things to learn in plants is moderation, one thing at a time & then introduced gradually at that. If one tries multiple new things at once, it's much harder to distinguish which one thing is working (if at all).

If you read VF-11's instructions, is says NOT to use w/ fertilizer, so I abided by that. Given that it's the wrong time of yr. to fertilize (even tho' I currently have a number of Hoyas putting on lots of new growth), I wouldn't do it at every watering. I'd try it once a month & see how that goes. I wouldn't want to encourage loads of new growth w/out some better light/sun to support it (that might stress the plants oddly).

Also, I'd skip the foliar feed for now, if it were me, I'd go w/ the once a month in the watering only, I believe my empty bottle suggest a bottle-cap full per qt. of water. Personally, I felt I got results using just the capful in the watering (tho' I think I did it in several waterings in a row until my supply ran out).

My two cents.

An aside, abt that Mtg on the 26th, any chance you can get off early just that one day? I don't know what kind of work you do, but is there any way yr. employer might consider letting you out early 1 day a month (which time you might offer to make up at a diff. time) so you could join us at the Mtgs? Just a thought ....

Happy Holidays back attcha!

(PG) Karen

Thanks for the quick response PG. Ok, now I feel really stupid! I thought VF-11 was fertilizer. Is fertilizer different from plant food? Now I'm utterly confused! You said that with Eleanor's product, do "NOT to use w/ fertilizer", so I guess that's where the confusion was. I meant can I use VF-11 with every watering? As for fertilizer, do I need something in addition to VF-11? I'm sorry if I sound like such a newbie.

With that said, do you still think I should use VF-11 once a month? Thanks PG, and sorry for all the questions.

As for the meeting...I would LOVE to go. I just can't see how I can make it, when the probably of leaving before 6 is very small. Can you email me privately with the details? Thanks!

Hi Gabi,

I don't have a lot of time now for the details, but pls check back the E VF-11 thread (& the link); I just did, they call it "plant food", but don't list ingredients, so we have no idea what's actually in it. Generally, fertilizer & plant food mean same/similar things.

I'm really just repeating their instructions, so I don't mean to be rude, rather than my repeating it yet AGAIN, pls. slow down a bit & SLOWLY READ THEIR WHOLE INFO SHEET IN THE LINK mentioned above. It spells it all out & answers the questions you've asked REPEATEDLY.

Then read this thread again slowly, remembering it's winter & the plants slow down (somewhat).

Will try over wknd to EM ya thru GW re the Mtg, forgot what thread yr. EM addy was in, sorry gotta run.

Merry Xmas everybody!

PG,
Thanks for responding even though you were in a rush. I didn't mean to repeat myself, I'm just asking the same questions because I was confused and thought what you were saying was that VF-11 and fertilizer were 2 different things (so I thought I'd try and re-word my question)...sorry if I misunderstood.

Believe me, I read these responses very slowly, and repeatedly. I don't want to waste anyone's time by repeating myself. I read the whole information sheet on her link, and the bottle directions, before I posted my initial question, which is why I posted it (I simply wanted to know if I should really use VF-11 every time I water...because that goes against what everyone says about not fertilizing in winter).

Anyway, I again re-read her site, and here are some key things it says:

"For best results, do not use with other fertilizers" (which is why I assumed it was a fertilizer)

"Use this mix EACH TIME YOU WATER YOUR HOUSEPLANTS.
Also spray the leaves with the same solution, for optimum results"

And on the bottle, it specifically says:
"Use it each time you water, all year 'round"

I just think maybe we misunderstood each other :)
As you stated, she does say not to use with other fertilizers, but I wasn't intending to.

Anyway, I appreciate all your good advice (you've been extremely helpful to me). You seemed a little upset with me in your last post...I hope that's not the case! By the way, I know Eleanor's site and bottle have all the information I need, but I just want other's opinions.

Please, anyone else who would care to chime in on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm curious to know how (and how often) hoya lovers use this stuff.

And please excuse me if I'm out of line with my "over" questioning. I'm just a new hoya lover trying to do the right thing for them.

Thank you,
Gabi

I don't actually HAVE my bottle, just ordered it yesterday. I kind of thought I might use it as a foliar spray now and start giving it to the roots in late Feb. when the Hoyas start to grow. But as I said, I don't have it yet and therefore have not had an opportunity to read the label.

Thanks for your input Fred. That helps. I think that's a good idea. I will try to wait till Feb, but I may just use Eleanor's once a month, and still use it (diluted) as a foliar spray. I think maybe using it with every watering is a bit much (especially when I'm watering them at least 2 times a month). Thanks again. (Oh, and if you remember, let me know if your plans stay the same once you've read the bottle).
Gabi

In May of this year I called the phone number posted on the container of VF-11, and Eleanor herself answered (or at least it was someone who claimed to be Eleanor). We talked for about 10 minutes, and I posted a report of that conversation on another forum. This is an extract of that posting:

"Eleanor said that for best results VF-11 should be used regularly by itself without any other fertilizer. It may be used solely as a foliar spray. It may also be used on roots by watering, though I inferred from what she said that this would result in higher costs that might not be worth the added benefits. VF-11 balances the nutrients that plants obtain. It also hardens plant cells and seals in amino acids, thereby frustrating insects such as white fly. The N-P-K is .15 - .85 - .55 (hundredths). She got the formula from a "cantankerous" elderly chemist who grew healthy plants, including tomato plants that were 30 ft. long with the formula. She originally marketed it for houseplants, but now farmers are interested in it. VF-11 does not fit into any of the categories of plant products used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so, for example, she could not call it "plant food." Instead the label says it is "for plants." Also, she is not allowed to list the ingredients. She was once fined $35,000 for saying something like it "gets rid of bugs the natural way" because, to the Department of AgricultureÂs way of thinking, this would make it a pesticide. "VF" means verticillium/fusarium, signifying that it creates disease resistance. "11" signifies it has eleven ingredients. These ingredients include iron, boron, copper, zinc, and molybdenum (I couldnÂt write fast enough to get all of them) in an electrolyte balanced solution."

At about the time I made the phone call I began to spray various kinds of plants with VF-11. I don't know if it was due to the VF-11, but shortly thereafter a Hoya calycina cutting that had not grown for many months since I planted it began to grow well. However, the tomato plants that were sprayed did not show any increased resistance to disease. But of course, this is a hoya forum.

Thanks Hawaii50. I've been waiting and waiting for a response, and was surprised that there were none because I know that many hoya lovers love and use this product!

It's funny that you mentioned the Hoya Calycina...I just received that plant by mail today. I love it! It is so fuzzy I can just pet it all day. But I'll keep my little mits off it. Do you happen to have a pic of your Calycina? The one I got is light green and the vines are standing upright on their own....which is strange because there are quite a few leaves on the vines, so I would think they would start to hang over with no support. Christina's site says they are climbers as I recall and need a big support, but the plant is still young. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

Thanks for the info...much appreciated.
Gabi

Gabi,

I use VF-11 as Eleanor instructs - year round, every watering. And I water mine more than you do - many once a week or more. I use it both in my water and as a foliar spray. I don't believe it's so much a fertilizer as a mineral supplement. Were I you, I would start using it as soon as you get it. I think you'll be very happy with the results!

Denise in Omaha

Thanks for your response Denise. That's just what I wanted to hear :)
I used it the minute it arrived at my door, and I've been tempted to use it for every watering. I really want my hoyas to bloom! Even just one of them blooming would make my day...I've never seen a hoya flower aside from pictures. I have been using it every other watering, and also as a foliar spray every few days. I will now use it with every watering, and I look forward to great results. My carnosa foliage already seems a little more firm if that makes sense. I'm using it on all my plants too, not just hoyas. I think I'm gonna go through this stuff really fast. I may just end up getting it in bulk from Eleanor if I see good results by the time I run out.
Thanks,
Gabi