how long I can use a diluted fertilizer? Algae fertilizer any good?

[lobotomizedgoat]

I dislike measuring non-liquids by volume so I use a jewelry scale to measure my fertilizer, they're only $10-15. I mix it at full strength (20-10-20) then dilute for watering.

I recently noticed some dark sediment floating toward the bottom of the container I store it in. The container hadn't been washed for a while and it was only a week since I had last filled it. A couple plants got watered with it but it they don't appear to have taken any harm. I threw it out and in the future I'm going to rinse thoroughly every time I refill, and wash with soap every few. Also, while I doubt it was a factor, I had mixed it to double strength that time.

[Roberta]

If you mixed double strength, it is possible that you exceeded the solubility of some component(s) in the concentrate. If you are using a fertilizer that includes calcium and magnesium, you particularly can reach a point where something precipitates. If you go back to your usual mix for the concentrate, you will probably fix the problem.

[lobotomizedgoat]

Hmm, perhaps I'll get the mason jars out and do an experiment.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by lobotomizedgoat

I dislike measuring non-liquids by volume so I use a jewelry scale to measure my fertilizer, they're only $10-15. I mix it at full strength (20-10-20) then dilute for watering.

There’s another, easy remedy to that - mix up a concentrated solution, then dispense that to make your final applied solution.



Complete instructions

[lobotomizedgoat]

Originally Posted by Ray

There’s another, easy remedy to that - mix up a concentrated solution, then dispense that to make your final applied solution.



Complete instructions

That's actually what I'm doing now! I guess my post wasn't very specific. Thanks!

[epifit]

I bought today a Miracle Gro Indoor Plant Food 1-1-1.

It says to mix 4 pumps per 1 liter of water. Is it ok or I'm better to use 2 pumps?

Is it ok to use weekly?

[Roberta]

Expensive way to buy plant food... you are mostly buying water. No idea what a "pump" dispenses. But orchids are light feeders... I usually suggest using half of whatever it says on the bottle. So maybe 2 "pumps". If you under-fertilize an orchid, it may just grow a little more slowly. If you over-fertilize it you can damage it. So go to the low side, fertilize once a week, and observe it. It will take some months before you can tell if it needs more so be patient.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by epifit

I bought today a Miracle Gro Indoor Plant Food 1-1-1.

It says to mix 4 pumps per 1 liter of water. Is it ok or I'm better to use 2 pumps?

Is it ok to use weekly?

My recommendation would be to apply about 100 ppm N weekly. 1% is 10000 ppm, so you want to dilute that 100x, meaning you add 10ml/L.