Hi, all -

For years, I have used Osmocote to fertilize my wick-watered African violets, even though I know that Optimara does not recommend it. I mean, they have their own fertilizer to sell, right? I find the Osmocote to be easy and effective. I used to feed my violets (and all my gessies and other houseplants) with Osmocote prior to AV shows. They looked fine and won blue and class ribbons. The only thing about it is I need to remember when I fed my plants so that I don't overfeed them. I am currently using the 3 to 4 month Flower and Vegetable 14-14-14 formula. I used to use the 8 to 9 month stuff, which also worked well. With the 3-4 month Osmocote, I feed once in early spring and once in early fall. This means my plants are a bit hungry and resting in August and January. If I wanted to push them at those times, of course I could give them a weak dose of a liquid food, or just do the Osmocote quarterly instead of biannually. Basically, I feed when I repot. I share this information because others may also prefer this feeding method, but little information is out there to confirm that it works. If you are interested, I say try it out and let us know what you think. I feed at the rate of about 1/4 tsp. of Osmocote per 4" pot. The linked article below says 1.28 grams per 4" pot is optimal. Can anybody tell me what that would be in teaspoons? Many have said that African violets do not like urea. The other link below says that Osmocote does not contain it. If others have experience with this, I would like to hear how it went!

Barbara

Link to Osmocote for greenhouse AVs:

http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foliage/resrpts/rh_90_5.htm

No urea in Osmocote:

http://www.scottsasiapacific.com/nursery/html/osmocote.htm