I hope I'm not putting my foot in my mouth answering a question posed to someone else, but it is a forum and this is something I actually understand.

In all cases the numbers (9-3-6 or 24-8-16 or whatever) represent percentage of nutrients by weight. Consider 9-3-6 liquid, and 24-8-16 dry fertilizer.

You need more of something with 9% nitrogen than you do of something with 24% nitrogen to reach the same final concentration when mixing both with the same volume of water. A little less than 3 times more - 3 * 9 is 27, close enough to 24. Probably, the reason for your experience using "more" liquid fertilizer is that the liquid fertilizer you are comparing to dry fertilizer is at a lower concentration. (say, 9-3-6 vs 24-8-16). I would assume this has something to do with the stability of the liquid vs. the dry products at various concentrations, but I am not sure about the physics or chemistry involved.

The densites of liquid and dry matter are different as well, which comes into play, since most mixing instructions are in terms of volume (for convenience - its easier to measure volume than weight for most people - could you weight an accurate ounce of a liquid or powder?), and NPK numbers are in terms of weight, but thats a small detail you can spend time thinking about or not, at your option.

I hope that helps you understand - you need more of products that have smaller percentage ratings (NPK numbers) to reach the same final solutions when mixing.

Sorry that I took Al's question, but the basic reason you need more foliage pro than miracle is mostly one of math as far as I can tell, not horticulture. I would be happy to have more details filled in by Al or anyone else.

Daniel

That was a good answer, Rick. Did it lay your wonderings to rest?

Al

Yes,
It help to clarify much and I do appreciate your explanation, Daniel and no concern about jumping in. Al, thank you for taking the time to read, also.
Rick