In previous years, we’ve trialled a Best Buy liquid feed against a Best Buy controlled-release fertiliser. We found that the liquid-fed plants grew bigger, but had fewer flowers – most of the growth was in the leaves. I left my LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder on the Feed setting for an extended period of time in one area. Will my plants be overfed or harmed? Does the LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder require different LiquaFeed® refill bottles than the ones used with LiquaFeed® Advance Starter Kit? Feed by spraying the soil at the base of the plant until soil is saturated. One plant food bottle will last approximately 15 minutes with continuous use. The feeder body can rotate 70 degrees to adjust for most hookup conditions. Grab both sides of the feeder, and give it a twist.

The Feeder may initially have air trapped in the system, which can impact the initial start-up of the internal feeding mechanism. This typically occurs if you are using a watering device with low flow output, such as a soaker hose, drip irrigation, or a mister. For our most recent round of testing, we chose 10 controlled-release fertilisers that claimed to feed plants all summer long. Our shortlist was made up of products from popular brands including Chempak, Garden Direct, Osmocote and Thompson & Morgan. If using the Universal Feeder with a drip irrigation system, we recommend using enough emitters to produce a minimum of 12 gallons per hour outflow. Water pressure is typically determined by the city or an external pump. It is a measure of how much force is acting on a specific area. Think of it as the water flowing into your home and out of your spigot.Turn knob to FEED. Turn on water and begin feeding with any watering device! Watering times will vary depending on the watering device used. Another option to fix the start-up issue is squeeze the Plant Food bottle for five seconds while the feeder is running. Injecting product also helps to activate the system. Once the feeder is activated, it will remain primed for future usage. Why is the fluid level in the bottle not going down when the LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder is on the Feed setting? Leakage directly from green Feed/Water knob: No, recommend calling 1-800-645-8166 to return it for a replacement Universal Feeder. Leakage from hole directly behind the green Feed/Water knob: No, recommend calling 1-800-645-8166 to return it for a replacement Universal Feeder.

Almost any watering device can be used with the LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder handheld sprayers, soaker hoses, sprinklers, drip irrigation, watering timers, special/ornamental water sprinklers, and even open garden hoses. Its also a great way to fill watering cans with premeasured plant food for your container plants. If it waters, now it can feed! Leakage from the slot underneath threaded green nut where the garden hose attaches to the Feeder: If the leakage is a short burst occurring right after pressure is relieved from the garden hose, then yes. If leakage is constant during use, then no, call 1-800-645-8166 to return it for a replacement Universal Feeder. Some products are also referred to as slow-release fertilisers. Technically speaking there is a difference between slow-release and controlled-release fertilisers. Slow-release fertilisers will gradually release their nutrients over time, regardless of conditions. One of the best parts of the Universal Feeder is that it can stay on your spigot all season. Just like any watering device, remove the Feeder when freezing weather is expected (below 32 degrees) and store indoors.No, your plants will not be overfed or burn. Since water is constantly being introduced with the plant food, the mixture will drain down or spread across the soil profile, so plant toxicity is never realized. The Universal Feeder takes the guesswork out of feeding by automatically mixing the right amount of nutrients, so you dont have to worry about over or under feeding your plants. From roses to lavender, we reveal the best varieties and give expert advice on how to grow plants . How we test controlled-release fertilisers If the bottle slumps a bit due to the angle of your spigot, just ensure that it is mostly vertical. Otherwise, you can place the Universal Feeder on the ground attached to a leader hose.

Controlled-release fertilisers work when the soil temperature and moisture are high enough, feeding plants when they need it through the warmer months and giving out less food in the colder months when growth slows. However, many products are still called slow-release as this is the more commonly understood term. The flow rate (fertilizer to water) is 325:1. This will provide the university recommended rate of 1lb of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft.Pour Miracle GRo LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food from dosing spoon into watering can and fil with water.

Flow rate is determined both by how much the spigot is opened and the watering device setting. It is a measure of how much fluid is moving through a specific area over a period of time. Soaker hoses, for example, are a low flow watering device. However, the best displays throughout the summer came from pots initially fed with a controlled-release fertiliser, then topped up with a liquid feed if they stopped producing healthy-looking growth. Our advice is to use a controlled-release feed, but give an additional liquid feed if your plants show signs of flagging. Attach LiquaFeed Universal Feeder to spigot, and attach a hose to base of Feeder. Feeder can also be placed on the ground and used in line between two hoses.

Input pressure for these was measured at 50 psi. Watering times will vary depending on each individuals water pressure, so these times are meant only for approximation. Adding additional feeders in the same line will increase the recommended mix ratio and may cause harm to some plants. We recommend using a splitter to separate each feeder to cover their own feeding area. Leakage from threaded green nut connection where the Feeder attaches to the spigot: First try realigning the threading to make sure you have a good connection to the spigot. If the leak does not stop after tightening the nut, call 1-800-645-8166 to get assistance or return it for a replacement Universal Feeder.