FeedMe Fertilizer

[Alan Sailer]

The FeedMe! is 15-3-15 8Ca 2Mg.

Good information about your pH numbers. I'll try again tonight (maybe, it's so hot!) and use pH paper and the meter to compare. Your RO water is the same starting point as mine. It's just my end point is much lower. Your final is perfect...

So you are mixing half strength (1/2 t vs 1t)?

Cheers.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Alan Sailer

The FeedMe! is 15-3-15 8Ca 2Mg.

Good information about your pH numbers. I'll try again tonight (maybe, it's so hot!) and use pH paper and the meter to compare. Your RO water is the same starting point as mine. It's just my end point is much lower. Your final is perfect...

So you are mixing half strength (1/2 t vs 1t)?

Cheers.

Yes, I do 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. For heavy feeders like Catasetinae during growth, and Cymbidims in general, I boost fertilizer with time release. But use a light hand with everything else. I still wonder what could be driving the pH so low (if it really is) I'd be really interested in whether the paper corroborates the meter or not.

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ----------

If the pH paper gives the same result, I wonder if there was a mix-up in labeling such that you really ended up with the well water formula. Yours is blue, right? That would be the correct color... the well water formula is pink, I believe.

[Alan Sailer]

Roberta,

Here is the info. Trying to be as accurate as possible.

I used one quart of RO water. The pH strip said 7 and the meter said 6.73.

I added 1/4t of FeedMe!. The pH strip said 5.0 and the meter said 4.4. I dipped the meter in the 4pH calibration solution and it said 4.02. The pH strip said 4.

The only difference from my earlier measurement was 3.75 vs 4.4pH.

I noticed one detail. My FeedMe! is neither blue nor pink.
It is mostly white with a sprinkling of Green pellets. The green pellets are larger than the rest of the stuff. So like brazil nuts in a mixed nut can they float to the top.

Maybe the green pellets are high acid? If so, maybe my first scoop had more of the green pellets than this latest scoop. In any case, the result is far too acid for my taste.

In any case, since my fertilizer is neither blue or pink it is a different breed than normal FeedMe!

I am going to call up the company and find out what is going on...

Cheers.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Alan Sailer

It is mostly white with a sprinkling of Green pellets. The green pellets are larger than the rest of the stuff. So like brazil nuts in a mixed nut can they float to the top.

Maybe the green pellets are high acid? If so, maybe my first scoop had more of the green pellets than this latest scoop. In any case, the result is far too acid for my taste.

In any case, since my fertilizer is neither blue or pink it is a different breed than normal FeedMe!

I am going to call up the company and find out what is going on...

Cheers.

My MSU fert when completely dry is more yellowish. As soon as it's exposed to air it picks up moisture and I end up with little blue-green balls. The stuff is VERY hygroscopic. I bought a 25 lb bag from SVO several years ago, keep it tightly closed with a binder clip, inside a 5 gallon bucket with tight fitting lid. Then I transfer a relatively small amount to a wide-mouth shallow jar. The original stuff stays quite dry. What I put in the jar picks up the moisture to form the little balls within days... that amount gets used up in 4 or 5 sessions. Otherwise it cakes. (That original bag may last for the rest of my life...) Worth a call to rePotme to be sure that there wasn't some problem with the formulation.

[Alan Sailer]

Yes. I will try calling up the seller and see if they know what is going on.

I hate wasting stuff but I may just toss it and try another brand. What is the maker of the stuff that you use?

Cheers.