On 11 Apr 03 at 12:18, Arnold wrote: > ...[I] feed most bulbs with a 50% african violet plant food. What is the analysis of that fertilizer? Does it contain significant trace elements? What is the recommended rate of application? Myself, for potted bulbs I most often use "soluble tomato food" with an analysis of 7-28-28. The recommended rate for this fertilizer is 5 grams per liter of water (1/2 teaspoon per quart). However, I apply it to potted bulbs at about 1/4 this strength. I figure that the rate for a potted plant should be considerably lower than for a plant in the open ground to avoid fertilizer burn. Sometimes I use Phostrogen (10-10-27) at a rate of 1 g of powder per liter of water (about 1 teaspoon to an ordinary 2-gallon/10-liter bucket). Some bulb growers here have great success adding just a pinch of Phostrogen to the watering can each time they fill it. Both of these have trace elements in them. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island