AboutNancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Question I have used Peter's A.V. Food for years, and my Violets LOVED it!! I ran out awhile back and I could not find it any more. So I resorted to Miracle Grow for A.V. They are not doing as well on it.
What happened to Peter's A.V. Food?? If they aren't making it anymore, what would be my next to try??
Cathy
Navarre, Fl
Answer Peter's Fertilizer Brand was sold. He has now come out with Jack's fertilizer.
I have grown AVs for 30 years and don't really bother with specialized fertilizer just for AVs. Any brand will do, actually as long as the numbers are good.
Any Brand 20-20-20 could be used all year long and should give you beautiful, heathy blooming plants.
Because I take many plants to show I have a special fertilizer schedule. I use each fertilizer about two months because I want the secondary nutrients in each type of fertilizer. Most of the time I use 20-20-20, but in January when I take off all flowers (disbud) so they will come in a huge bouquet at the given time, I change. I use 15-30-15 for two months then change to a fertilizer that should produce heaps of buds, 10-52-15. (I would not recommend this number of fertilizer for more than two weeks because there is not enough nitrogen for the plant. But the 52 gives many, many blooms.)
In between times, I use epsom salts, fish fertilizer, Sturdy/Bounty, and bloom busters that help flowering.
So my advice is not to worry too much about the brand name. Many different fertilizers are very good. The most important thing to consider are the three main numbers and the secondary nutrients.
