African Violet Food

[Sara]

Okay, around here Orchid food isn't very available. I was reading in a book that Orchids need a balanced fertilizer. For my african violets, I use Miracle Gro Violet Food which is 7-7-7. Is this a good substitute for my orchid?

[Sara]

Anyone have an opinion?

[orchidsinjersey]

Hi Sara,
Can't answer your direct question but I just posted that I have a 1 lb bag of Better-Gro 30-10-10 orchid food to trade, I wound up with an extra bag of it by mistake. I also have a book to trade but I am willing to trade just the food. If you have plant-related stuff to trade, we can deal maybe? I always need pots, spray bottles, plant labels, you can make suggestions to me too. Read my post, maybe you'd like the book too.

[mayres]

For what its worth, my mother has been using diluted (weakly weekly method) african violet food on her phals for three years and they are the best phals around - rebloom every year like clockwork and large beautiful leaves - can't hurt. :-) mike

[jerrymeola]

all fertilizers are basically the same except for the trace elements.

I would not hesitate to use african violet food. It is the ratio that controls how the plant handles it. A balance formula is always good.

The 30-10-10 ratio mentioned earlier will produce stronger growth when used on a bark mixture that removes much of the notrogen when the bark decomposes. It is not good for plants in other mediums, as it encourages too much leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Check the ingedients (and everyone should look at what they use) to see that magnesium is included in the trace elements. It usually is included. Magnesiums is very important, and if it missing should be added once a month to your watering. Epson Salt is a good source of magnesium for plants.

[Sara]

Thanks Jerry!

[janet_a]

--another fun thing is to look at the report your water company sends you every year (at least mine does); it lists the general levels of various minerals and chemicals in your tap water. a lot of the trace you need may already be in your water.