AFAIK the dishwashing liquid "science" is simply that it acts as a so-called "wetting agent"; this works by reducing the surface tension of the water, and the detergent also helps the water "stick" to somewhat hydrophobic surfaces (like most artificial fibres).
This effect lets you turn water into fairly lethal insect traps too - and if you add detergent to a pond (that doesn't have fish in...) the pond skaters have a tough time as they sink... I have a yellow plastic container that I keep topped up with detergent-y water and a lot of bugs get trapped in there.
It would be interesting to see if the wicks stop working well over time, or if once "primed" (as long as you keep them damp) they just keep working. (There's an experiment for you!).
Thanks for the tip! :) Our two african violets get neglected sitting on a windowsill behind all our orchids! :(
Incidentally, I've passed the African "home" of african violets in Usambara, Tanzania on a bus several times (at least so the guidebook said), but never had the time to get out and explore :/
Wow! Thank you so much for the tips on wick watering, M3rma1d. I been so patiently for you to post a video on how to do it. I'm definately going to give this a try on my new african violets, which are growing from the mother plant and can't wait until they are ready for planting; six "suckers" are growing on the mother! Also thanks for answering my question on the feeding of african violets when they are wick watered on this video. I too am a lover of African Violets (and of course all plants as well). I just love the fact that they bloom all the time! :) I plan to try to create a Hybrid African Violet from both my deep purple and pink flowered violets to see what the offspring would look like. This would be my very first attempt to try this so I'm hoping I can successful cross the two plants. I was wondering, have you tried hybridizing your african violets or have any advice on doing that? Also I had read that when pollenating african violets it has to be hummid so can I put pebbles around the plant to give that extra hummidity for crossing?
James--Wicks do stop working, whether used dry or "primed"... That's why you still gotta keep an eye on them :-) I will say I have less of them stop working since I started soaking them in the water with a drop of soap--But, some do still fail.
DakJak--I haven't gotten much into hybridizing yet--But I would really like to in the future!! Yes, you could put pebbles around the plant (like, in saucers) for extra humidity, that might help. Good luck and let me know if it works!
HELP!! been using clonex on the leaves ive been trying to root, but the tips of the petiole's rot off! i swear ive been doing all the things right like in your videos, but they never root! it seems so easy to just root em and poof youvew got new plants, but they don't work! so far splitting has worked ok though. i have them in an old fish tank with a fluorescent lightbulb and a sheet of tin foil on top. help me!! i want more plants!!
Neat tip thanks.
ReplyDeleteStone Art's Blog--You're very welcome!
ReplyDeleteAFAIK the dishwashing liquid "science" is simply that it acts as a so-called "wetting agent"; this works by reducing the surface tension of the water, and the detergent also helps the water "stick" to somewhat hydrophobic surfaces (like most artificial fibres).
ReplyDeleteThis effect lets you turn water into fairly lethal insect traps too - and if you add detergent to a pond (that doesn't have fish in...) the pond skaters have a tough time as they sink... I have a yellow plastic container that I keep topped up with detergent-y water and a lot of bugs get trapped in there.
It would be interesting to see if the wicks stop working well over time, or if once "primed" (as long as you keep them damp) they just keep working. (There's an experiment for you!).
Thanks for the tip! :) Our two african violets get neglected sitting on a windowsill behind all our orchids! :(
Incidentally, I've passed the African "home" of african violets in Usambara, Tanzania on a bus several times (at least so the guidebook said), but never had the time to get out and explore :/
Wow! Thank you so much for the tips on wick watering, M3rma1d. I been so patiently for you to post a video on how to do it. I'm definately going to give this a try on my new african violets, which are growing from the mother plant and can't wait until they are ready for planting; six "suckers" are growing on the mother! Also thanks for answering my question on the feeding of african violets when they are wick watered on this video. I too am a lover of African Violets (and of course all plants as well). I just love the fact that they bloom all the time! :) I plan to try to create a Hybrid African Violet from both my deep purple and pink flowered violets to see what the offspring would look like. This would be my very first attempt to try this so I'm hoping I can successful cross the two plants. I was wondering, have you tried hybridizing your african violets or have any advice on doing that? Also I had read that when pollenating african violets it has to be hummid so can I put pebbles around the plant to give that extra hummidity for crossing?
ReplyDeleteJames--Wicks do stop working, whether used dry or "primed"... That's why you still gotta keep an eye on them :-) I will say I have less of them stop working since I started soaking them in the water with a drop of soap--But, some do still fail.
ReplyDeleteDakJak--I haven't gotten much into hybridizing yet--But I would really like to in the future!! Yes, you could put pebbles around the plant (like, in saucers) for extra humidity, that might help. Good luck and let me know if it works!
ReplyDeleteHELP!! been using clonex on the leaves ive been trying to root, but the tips of the petiole's rot off! i swear ive been doing all the things right like in your videos, but they never root! it seems so easy to just root em and poof youvew got new plants, but they don't work! so far splitting has worked ok though. i have them in an old fish tank with a fluorescent lightbulb and a sheet of tin foil on top. help me!! i want more plants!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous--First, what is "Clonex"? Stop using it. Second, your soil may be too wet, you want it just damp. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteclonex is a rooting hormone. it very difficult to keep the soil consistently moist!! any ideas how?
ReplyDelete