Why not just go back to what you were using before ?

BTW, I use DynaGro - GROW

It seems to work pretty good for me.

I need a fertilizer that is easy to measure. I have old Schultz droppers that allow me to measure out 7 drops of fertilizer per quart of water.

I have overdosed on Optimara 12-14-12 before. Burned the crowns out of some starter plants. Plus, it's rather expensive ...

An option that I am considering aegis. The reason I changed in the first place was because I just got tired of the unsightly brown water and the slightly fishy smell of the organic Espoma. It worked great though.

I have not given up on the 12-14-12 yet, I was just going to do some experimenting with another fert and had decided I would go with DynaGro. I have 2/3rds of a tub of the 12-14-12 left and I intend to use it before I change out completely to something else.

Thanks for the heads up on the DynaGro "Grow".

I'm mixing up 1/4 tsp of Optimara fertilizer for both wicking and bottom watering of unwicked plants. But now I dilute the fertilizer solution to having a trace of a faint blue color for my semis, minis and starter plants. Not sure it that's enough fertilizer for my smaller plants but I don't want to see any more of that rusty residue on the leaves.

I tried 1/4 tsp optimara for non-wick watering for ages... and I didn't like the results either. I'm not sure if it includes micronutrients or what, but what I do know is all my plants really like the Jack's Classic.

Marina, are you still using Jack's Classic? I had considered it a while back but had read that they were using a new recipe, different from what it once was. The article went on to say that the new recipe utilized urea for its nitrogen. I guess i better go back and re-research that.

Some time ago, Jacks was considered one of the better ferts. Now, internet searches for "best" and "most popular" AV ferts don't seem to produce that many Jacks fans.

Ill check into that. Thanks for the heads up on the Jacks and the info on your experience w the 12-14-12.

Jeff -

Optimara is generally A. Dynagro Grow is A+.

I would use 1/8 of a teaspoon of Optimara's, you can use up to 1/4th - reason is difference in humidity - I lose more water to evaporation than you. But we generally overfeed ourselves, our pets and our plants.

I just ordered some Dyna-Gro "Grow". Hopefully Dyna-Gro is a little more forthcoming on how to use their product for wick watering.

I exchanged a couple of emails w Monique Holtkamp during the last week or so. She is unaware of any discrepancy regarding the companies instructions to use at 1/2 tsp per gal, even for wick watering. I assured her that I would NOT be using at that ratio because I was convinced that it would kill or damage my plants; at least over time.

She was very kind and forthcoming. She said that she was going to talk to the folks that market the 12-14-12 to see what they had to say about my concerns. We'll see. At any rate, I felt that they at least cared what I thought.

DynaGro -Grow doesn't not have specific instructions for wicking - it is mostly used for hydroponics - and has instructions how much to use for recirculating or non- recirculating hydroponic systems. It has instructions for foliar feeding - 1/4-1/2 teaspoon per gallon - I guess plant dependent. I will stick to 1/4th for everything. The N-P-K numbers are relatively low - 7-9-5 - but supposedly it is all in easy to absorb form. If you decide to experiment with foliar feeding - and some people swear by it - and some think it doesn't help - with an equal passion - use distilled water. Hard water will leave stains.

Just got a $66 half gallon bottle of it from friendly "Way to Grow" people.

I.

Well, I was confident that if the mixing ratio formula didn't arrive w the product, that I could find it out here.

1/4 tsp per gal is what you're using now? Sounds similar to Optimara but I don't hear you mentioning lesser dosages for smaller plants. Im left to assume you use that ratio for all of your AV's. Sounds good to me!

So glad I checked this. Almost bought Dynogro bloom.

Good stuff to know here! Yes, I use fertilizers with urea, but I don't use the soilless method, so I've never had a bad reaction. (I had heard soilless mixes have a harder time picking up urea, but I dunno.) Either way, they love the Jack's Classic and have been responding wonderfully to some vermicast.

I use DynaGro. 1/8tsp per half gallon (I have a little watering can). This is what they use at The Violet Barn and they sell the small container on there website. Given they have alot of violets I assume they know what they are doing... I have been using it since last Fall and all seems to go well. .. The only thing I notice is alot of expressed salt residue and dont know what if anything I can do about it...

I only use 1/8 tsp per gallon. I am going to increase now.

Julie - do not do it on everything, start on a couple of plants. I think probably mature plants will love it - and for starters it can be too much.

Irina,

ok, I will try on a couple first. Thank you!

When my Dyna-Gro arrives, I will start w 1/8 tsp for a feeding or two just to get all the green guys used to the new food. Then, after a few feedings, Im going to start bumping it up to a 1/4 tsp a little bit at a time.

The main reason I want to make the change from Optimara to Dyna-Gro is in hopes of finding a concentration that will be adequate but not overwhelming for all my plants.

If this does not provide me with the results I want, I may go back to the old stinky brown water. It worked awesome other than the assault on ones sense of sight and smell!

There is NO one concentration that will work precisely for everything. Requirements are different depending on the variety, size, in active growth stage it is or resting and so on and so forth. Erring on a lower side is better. It will slow them down a bit - but no harm done.

Thats what Im looking for Irina. I think that perhaps some of the "easy to absorb" qualities of the Dyna-Gro may make it easier to find the "magic" elixir that will allow ALL my plants to do well with none starving or getting crystalized.

One thing I have learned with Dyna-Gro is (well I am sure any food) dont feed it to your heavy variegated ones every time or atleast Watermelon Snow has been a brat and gets very upset! Supposidly the rule of thumb for the heavy variegated ones is less food and water and more light. Just thought I would share a recent trouble I have had..

Good to know stamik. I guess Ill find out in spades since nearly half of my plants are variegated. Sounds like you don't wick water. You can bet Ill be going about it very slowly and deliberately.

I have had watermelon snow on my wish list for quite a while. Next time I see a nice example, I may try to buy a leaf or starter plug and take my chances.

Yeah, I dont water wick. And on the note of having watermelon snow.. I already have it and Julie mentioned she placed a leaf in the RR box so it will pass thru me and then its yours. So your wish will come true!

If Im not mistaken, Julie is one of the "box 1" group. I am in the other. I will eventually find a watermelon though. As it is, I really have to start getting rid of a few things before I start adding new ones!

I hope there's not a whole bunch of "good stuff" in that RR box!

Oh crap! We are in the other box. Well, if my plant wasnt so small abd struggled so much lately, I woukd surely spare a leaf knowing its coming your way..