Indigo Withdrawals

I’ve been having indigo withdrawals!  I could not get a flower to form on top of my vat for a week. With my well-known persistence, I kept trying different things with no success, including being unable to find the right PH test strips which I have on order. Without them, I wasn’t sure if it was sweet or sour….

This morning it poured so I couldn’t get out there to do much and it kept raining off and on.  The humidity stayed at about 100% and I blew a fuse out there, so I have no fan. But I stayed out there long enough to dip a few things. They’ll take forever to dry if the sun doesn’t come out soon.

I did learn quite a bit from this, though, mostly from the Eco Dyeing and Creating group on FB, and from my friend,  Janice Paine-Dawes who is a walking wealth of knowledge. If this happens to you, first, make sure it’s warm enough (9o degree F days are perfect) , test the PH and add  a little thiox, add a little soda ash accordingly.  Anything else you all helpful readers can add?