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Has anyone used one of these?

I got this for two reasons:
  1. I'm sick of running backwards and forwards with multiple watering cans to feed my long borders and raised beds.
  2. It got excellent reviews.
Only problem is the instructions are really vague and not much info on how to figure which number on the dial you need to use, am assuming it depends on the strength of the liquid feed but I still can't work it out.  There are a choice of numbers on the nozzle starting with 0.2%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%.

One of the reviewers said she actually dissolved a powder feed (miracle grow) and decanted it to remove any residual bits but I think everyone else used liquid such as seaweed and something called 'C4' and 'PK' - not sure what the last two are though.
If anyone can give me any pointers on which number to choose and how much liquid to put in I would be really grateful (maths was never my strongest subject)  :)


Posts

  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I had a similar one many years ago ren.b but same as you I found it difficult to work out exact doses for different types of fertilisers. It ended up sitting on the shelf unused for a few years until the next major clear out. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    0.2% would be equivalent to 1/2 teaspoon (or 2ml) per litre
    0.5% would be equivalent to 1 teaspoon (or 5ml) per litre
    1.0% would be equivalent to 2 teaspoons (or 10ml) per litre
    2.0% would be equivalent to 4 teaspoons (or 20ml) per litre

    Most fertilizers are diluted at the rate of 5ml/litre

    I don't know what C4 or PK is I'm afraid

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • No idea re what concentration to use in the receptacle , but I think C4 and PK are just (expensive?) branded feeds -- latter is phosphorus/potassium and micronutrients and former is all 3 ( inc nitrogen) plus micronutrients. Haven't used either of them. 
    Kindness is always the right choice.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Why not just scatter granulated, slow release fertilisers around each group of plants and then let the rain or a sprinkler soak it into the soil?  You can do this in spring when growth starts and then every 6 to 7 weeks thru summer.   

    Rose, clematis and tomato feeds are available and tomato does for most flowering plants but try and avoid things like Growmore which come from oil refining.  Pelleted chicken manure is good for generally health and leafy plants. 

    Blood, fish and bone is also a good organic (as opposed to chemical) fertiliser if you don't have foxes.   It can be found in its separate components too:
    Bonemeal/phosphorus is great for producing strong roots as well as flower and fruit development.   
    Potassium/blood promotes strong stems which help with osmosis and also fruits and flowers.   
    The fish content provides nitrogen which you can also get from nettle tea.

    It's always better to feed the soil than feed plants so, when everything goes dormant in autumn a good mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure will work wonders but buy your manure from a good source as some farmyard manures can be contaminated with aminopyralid which is an agricultural weed killer that will damage your treasures.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    PK nutrients.    Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) 
    I’d agree with @Obelixx. Powder feeding.
    there used to be a gardener on TV who said it’s a waste to put liquid feeble on garden plants,  it washes through too quickly.  Slow release Granule feed is better. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ren.bren.b Posts: 164
    Uff said:
    I had a similar one many years ago ren.b but same as you I found it difficult to work out exact doses for different types of fertilisers. It ended up sitting on the shelf unused for a few years until the next major clear out. 

    oh nooo - it wasn't cheap so am determined to use it.  I've fitted it to my hose, ran water through and it works well though.
  • ren.bren.b Posts: 164
    Pete - that is brilliant - have copied & printed those dilutions - thanks SO much. xx
  • ren.bren.b Posts: 164
    edited June 2022
    Obelix - I have used pellets (manure) and Q4 (?) on all the plants I put in this year, tried bonemeal but the badgers kept digging them up (little sods) but I keep wondering if they will actually work and break down but totally get what you are saying, the liquid feeder spray was for the one's I hadn't fed when planting.  I might just use up the powder I have and not buy expensive liquids for the spray bottle and see how it does.
    I've made 3 massive bags of leaf mould (do it every year) and was wondering if I should put some down about now - would it help with evaporation when I'm watering through the summer?
    I really hate bark - could I use leaf mould for the winter period instead?

    Oh - so I can use the pellets AFTER planting?
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