It could possibly inhibit rooting, but as long as a weak solution, should be ok. You know, I think for just two weeks, I'd eliminate fertilizing..they'd never know the difference :)

That is what I was wondering. The presence of a weak percentage of fertilizer in plant water could do a bunch of things. I was just wondering if there was a known, detrimental, biologic reaction that the propagating leaves would have to the fertilizer.

As long as the leaf is green, rooted - and engaged in a photosynthesis - it will need the fertilizer. Just not as much - you would think that most of the water used will cover water losses from evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration by a leaf and plantlets.

So - there is a danger of accumulating unused fertilizer in a soil - and exudation of unused fertilizer by the leaves and plantlets - these yellow crystals that can burn the tender plantlets.

So - if you use it - use a small amount. Probably after you see the mouse ears.

If you make your own mix - like Cornell - it doesn't have any fertllizer - so you can do your 1/8 of a teaspoon per gallon after they root.

If you are using Promix - it is preloaded... probably doesn't need any for quite a while.

What will happen if you take off for 2 weeks - and your plant sitter will use plain water? NOTHING. Go for it. You come home - and feed them. A lot of good growers use plain water once a month.

I,

In particular with plants just developing roots (not just AVs), I tend to minimally fertilize if at all. They're just not able to utilize it, so why bother. I also flush at least once a month on most plants with plain water.

If you are growing them on the windowsill - you need to reduce the watering and fertilizing to match the diminishing light and temperature.

If you live in FL and grow under lights - probably winter is the best season for them anyway... chance to breathe...

Thanks for all the info. I value all the years of experience I can draw from here. Yes, I know that I can eliminate fertilizer from my plant water during my vacations, I have done that a time or two in the past.

I had hoped that perhaps I would find out "exactly" what kind of harmful effects if any, would occur if fertilized water was used (accidentally or otherwise) during leaf propagation.

When I told my house sitter not to use the "blue water" on the propagating leaves, he simply asked why. I could not answer him and I found it uncomfortable.

I dont intend to use fertilized water on my propagating leaves. Aside from a modest amount of fertilizer waste and unlikely fertilizer buildup on the potting mix surface (I wick water my leaves too), I just don't know why I don't do it. You know, cause and effect.

Well, here's one quantifiable thing. When the leaves haven't yet rooted, they're relying on their stored water reserves. When you apply a less than pure water (higher salinity), you risk drawing water from them versus replenishing their water supply.

Obviously aside from that, you're wasting fertilizer.

Looked it up. Yup - the water absorption works through osmosis - and plant roots are uniquely designed to do it right. No fertilizing until roots are developed.

I was going to advise the same, but no need as Darron covered things well.

:-)

Yes. This is the information I was looking for! Thanks!

My gardener once plant sat. He did not know how to care for violets and overwatered. I got back just in time. Now when I go away, I leave them alone. I let them be dormant. I withhold all fertilizer for 2 weeks before. I wrap the stands in clear plastic sheets from the hardware store, taped shut. I close the blinds, huddle the plants together, and keep the temperature low. I put trays of water under the stands. The house checker does not touch the stands. He just pushes the thermostat if the temp gets very low. I probably learned this from Irina. Joanne

Probably a real good way to go. I live in N. Florida and either the air conditioner or the heater is running so at least my temps stay consistent while I am gone.

Since making the change to wick watering, my house sitters have it easy. When the reservoirs look a little low, add water. My light are on timers.

My electricity went out one time and goofed up the timers. Lights on all night! No problems though.

Cold country folks like Irina and you have to use a whole different bag of tricks during the winter. I may move back up North one day and will have to learn them myself at that point.

Jeff - cold country folks belong to 2 categories. Some like me just crank the thermostat to 68-72F and live happily with their violets and whatnot. Some are more frugal - they dress warmer and finagle their thermostat so it goes down to 48F when the are at work, and comes back to 62F when they are at home. These people have artificial plants and plant arrangements.

My friend who lives in the mountains in a leaky old house - takes her gessies of wick watering and keeps them on the dry side. They survive winter.

Irina, if she takes them off of wicks until spring,,,does she change the soil also so it would hold just a little more water? If I took mine off of wicks for the winter I would be watering everytime I turned aroundwith furnace heat. Rosie

I think she covers them with the domes. Or you can drape your stands with a drop cloth.

Thanks! Rosie