That's pretty much the same ratio as a bloom booster. If it's working for you and they are already in bud you can just keep using it.

karyn1....Thank you so much for your reply!! This is the first year where almost every brug and datura seed that I started is doing fantastic...knock on wood! Last year when I started datura seeds I grabbed the wrong bottle of fertilizer that was way too strong for the size of the plant and I just stood there and watched them all flop over and die! I wanted to cry and it was way too late to restart them.

Have a good day!

Linda

karyn1....hate to be a "PIA" with another question but if this transplant solution is a bloom buster...this is where I get confused..then what should I be using on these seedlings? I just have too many seedlings and I don't want to ruin them by using the wrong stuff. Just when I thought I was getting the "hang" of this!

Linda

Linda numbers such as 4-12-4 are the N-P-K ratios. N is nitrogen which is necessary for foliage development and greening. P is phosphorus which is helpful for root and bud development and K is potassium for overall health and vigor. That's a very simplified explanation. As you see P helps with roots and bud set so you see similar ratios with seed starter and bloom booster fertilizers. I know a lot of people that no longer use a high phosphorus fertilizer. I still do occasionally. If you start your plants in a soiless mix you also need Magnesium, Calcium, Sulfur, and other trace elements. I use these all the time and add B1 when starting cuttings, transplanting, waking plants from dormancy and on stressed plants. I use Cal-Mag Plus, Superthrive, Thrive Alive and B1. B1 is already in Superthrive and Thrive Alive. You can also use epsom salts which is magnesium. I also use kelp extract, fish emulsion, compost and compost tea, bat guano, worm casings, rabbit poo, all kinds of junk. lol

When I start seedlings I don't use fertilizer (N-P-K) for a while but do use the other stuff. Once they have a few sets of true leaves I start feeding with a diluted balanced fertilizer (about 20-20-20 or near that ratio) and don't use a full strength fertilizer until the plants are fairly sturdy. With most I continue with something close to a balanced fertilizer or even a low phosphorus until they are mature and near blooming size. Then I switch to a bloom booster. I continue with the CalMag Plus, Thrive Alive, seaweed and fish emulsion, etc along with all fertilizers. I also foliar feed with the Spray n Grow trio. I think I just like playing with gardening junk. Kind of like a chemistry set when I was a kid. lol Some people stick with a single fertilizer thru the life of their plants and get gorgeous results. Just play around and see what works for you.

karyn1....WOW! That is so sweet of you to explain all that!! This transplanting solution indicates on the bottle that it contains B1. I did decide to switch to a soiless potting soil this year for everything. Got tired of losing stuff with the other potting soil and so far so good. Now all I need to do is make up my mind what to do as finding something that has trace elements.

Again, thank you so much for the explanation. I sure do appreciate learning something new! I just saw the label that said transplant solution and started using it. I did not know that if I use a soiless mix that I need trace elements. If you hear a loud explosion....just ignore it!! It's just me!

Linda