I have been looking for a fertilizer that can be used instantly and NOT diluted in water for watering. I used to have one that was only few drops on the soil and then just water. I have not seen one like that in a while and it would be nice to again get something like that. if anyone knows of a source, please let me know.

Thank,

Yolanda

Yolanda -

the risk of burning the roots with a concentrated solution negates the advantage of saving a minute...to make the procedure more efficient - make enough solution to last for several waterings - in a gallon jar - or 5 gallon bucket.

Irina, the lazy one.

Yolanda, Irina is right. For the time it takes to go around to each plant, get the dropper down to the soil, count the drops, and then you have to water it in anyway,,,,,! I would rather fill a gallon jug, throw in the recommended amount put the cap on and be DONE. Then when I need to water, I fill my watering can and water. When my jug is almost empty, I pour the rest into the watering can and mix up a new batch that will be ready to use when I need to water. Try it! You will be amazed!!!

And Irina, no you aren't lazy,,,,,,,you are practical !!!!! And the time you save doing it by the bucket instead of drops allows you more time to prune, care for or just plain search for more violets you want!!!! Or go shopping !!!!! lol Rosie

Guys, the fertilizer I had was made to put the few drops on the soil - IT WAS NOT A CONCENTRATE, I have one from Lowes, that you just pump onto the soil, only it is 1-1-1, which really is kind of weak. It comes in a green bottle, and if it is here in Canada, I am sure it is available in the US.

Yolanda

I will have to see if my Lowes has it. It wouldn't help me, my violets/streps are on wicks, but just out of curiosity I want to know about it! Thanks for the info! Rosie

I use orchid food at 1/4 strength.

Guys, know that there is three of us in a home of 1100 square ft. We DO NOT have a garage, and keeping gallon jugs of water would be cumbersome. In the winter, I could not leave it outside as it would be frozen solid, and how could I use it.

When I was living with my parents in an apartment and growing violets, I used the dropper type of fertilizer. There was no storage for jugs of water. One has to do what works for them.

Yolanda

Yolanda -

it is still a concentrate - is just not a very concentrated concentrate - and it is only delivered to the roots when you do watering. Aren't you supposed to keep your water in a jar for a day to warm it up and let the chlorine evaporate anyway?

Get yourself a pretty watering can - gallon size - and it will enhance your room ;-)).

Seriously - plants are living things - they do not require too much maintenance - not like cats -dogs-horses - but they still require some extra space and time so you can care for them properly to get the best results. May be your milk jug with fertilizer and water will fit under the sink?

Irina

Irina, we do not get a milk jug when we buy milk, It comes in a bag that holds about three quarts - 4 litres to be exact, but a litre is smaller than a quart. The bag holding the litre-bag goes into a jug which I would jug to be able to hold about a litre, I would not mix water with rertilizer with my milk. Just saying.

I will try to set something up with fertilizer so I can water with fertilizer that nust be diluted.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yolanda

Yolanda, here is what I use. And I only have one. I bought a 1 gallon container of Arizona Sweet Tea (yum) and when we drank it all, I washed it well and viola!!!! A one gallon container that didn't cost me a darn dime! And it is easy to stash! Recycle something! Rosie

1. should be something you can use...even if is it in litres....you just recalculate the dose...may be a bigger watering can, but not too big you cannot hide it..

To all, I usually use the Jobe's spikes for indoor plants. My mother had bought many and since she is now in a nursing home and my sister would not even touch a plant, I took all the packages that she had. My african violets in th 4" pots get about one-half stick. The smaller ones get less - about a third of the stick at least once a month about the 23rd of the month. They seem happy for now and blossoming because of some many hours of sunlight per day. That we change in the fall. Hopefully the winter will not be hard like February 2015 when there was not one day over 0 F.

Thanks to All

Yolanda