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. 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.

From roses to lavender, we reveal the best varieties and give expert advice on how to grow plants . How we test controlled-release fertilisers Why is the fluid level in the bottle not going down when the LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder is on the Feed setting? 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. Does the LiquaFeed® Universal Feeder require different LiquaFeed® refill bottles than the ones used with LiquaFeed® Advance Starter Kit? 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!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.

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. 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.

The flow rate (fertilizer to water) is 325:1. This will provide the university recommended rate of 1lb of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft. 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. 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. 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. 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.