As the plant will be actively growing and blooming during these seasons, you want to add fertilizer to encourage the plant's growth and development. You can use water-soluble fertilizer with a ratio of 3-1-2 or 19-6-12 that contains micronutrients. Dilute the fertilizer at one-fourth the dilution rate recommended by the manufacturer. A common recommended dilution rate is about 1 teaspoon per gallon of water but, for lipstick plants, it should be about teaspoon per gallon of water. Mix the water-soluble fertilizer in with the water instead of putting the fertilizer directly on the soil. You can also use slow-release houseplant fertilizer. Apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually 1 to 2 tablespoons (14.8 to 29.6ml) per plant, and sprinkle it evenly over the potting mix. A plant becomes pot-bound when the plant's container is full of roots. The roots may also begin to grow out of the drain hole on the bottom of the pot or the plant may appear too large for its container. Select a container that is only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1cm) larger than the old container and make sure it has drain holes on the bottom. Pour 1 inch of African violet potting mix into the new container. Gently grasp the lipstick plant's stems with your fingers at the soil line, tilt the container sideways, and pull the plant out of the old container. Use sharp scissors to snip off any excess roots growing out from the main root mass. Set the lipstick plant in the new container and finish filling it with African violet potting mix. Water it generously with aged water until the water drains from the bottom of the container.
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One-sentence summary -- Give your plant fertilizer every two weeks during the spring, summer, and fall. Add the fertilizer solution to the plant by mixing it with lukewarm water at 1/4th the amount recommended on the package, unless you are using African violet fertilizer. Repot the lipstick plant when it becomes pot-bound to encourage better growth.

Measure the space taken up by the panel on which you have placed your cells. You will need the box to be at least this big. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to every side, to allow space for the sides of the box. If there will not be a free 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm) square spot at each corner after adding the panel, also leave room for this. Make sure that there is enough space for the bus wires at the end as well. Cut a piece of plywood to the size you measured in the previous step, plus the space for the box sides. You can use a table saw or jigsaw, depending on what you have available. Measure two 1 inch by 2 inch (2.5 cm x 5 cm) pieces of non-conductive plank to the length of the long sides of the base of the box. Then, measure two more 1 inch by 2 inch (2.5 cm x 5 cm) planks to fit between these long pieces, completing the box. Cut these pieces you have measured and secure them together using deck screws and butt joints. It's important that the sides aren't too tall because then they may shade the cells when the sun is coming from a sharp angle. Using deck screws, screw through the top of the sides and into the base to secure the sides to the bottom of the box. The number of screws you use per side will depend on the length of the sides, but no matter the length, you shouldn't use less than three. You can paint the box whatever color you prefer. Consider using white or reflective colors since this will keep the box cooler, and cells perform better when they are cool. Your panel will last longer if you use paint designed for outdoor use. This type of paint will help protect the wood from the elements. Glue the solar unit to the completed box. Make sure that it is secure and that the cells are facing up and can get sunlight. There should also be two holes in the panel for the ends of the bus wire to go through.
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One-sentence summary -- Measure your cell panel. Cut the flat back. Form the sides. Attach the sides. Paint the box. Attach the solar unit to the box.

Watch your baby to see if she exhibits symptoms of acid reflux before making lifestyle changes. Typical signs of acid reflux in newborns are: Spitting up and vomiting Refusing to eat Having difficulty eating or swallowing Being irritable during feedings Burping or hiccuping wet liquid Failing to gain weight. Try changing the ways you feed your baby with a bottle. These may help relieve or prevent acid reflux in your newborn. Increase the frequency of your baby's feedings but reduce how much you give him at each feeding so that there is less pressure on the muscle that keeps food from refluxing. Make sure your baby's bottle and nipple is the right size. This allows your baby to get the right amount of milk from the nipple without swallowing air. Try a different brand of formula, but only after discussing it with your baby's doctor. Thicken the formula with some rice cereal with your pediatrician's approval and directions. Babies who are breastfed may experience slightly less reflux because breastmilk is digested faster than formula. Similar to bottle feeding, changing your breastfeeding technique may help treat your newborn's reflux. Reduce the amount of milk in your baby's stomach by breastfeeding for less time each feeding, but more frequently throughout the day. Eliminate different foods from your diet to see if this eases your newborns reflux. For example, you may want to avoid dairy, beef, or eggs to see one of these causes the reflux. Thicken expressed breast milk with rice cereal in small increments. Interrupt your baby's feedings to burp her. More frequent burping may relieve pressure in her belly and prevent reflux. Use the following schedule as a guideline for burping: Avoid feedings two hours before bedtime if possible. Burp your baby every one to two hours after a feeding to help relieve gas and prevent reflux. Interrupt bottle feedings every one to two ounces. Burp breastfed babies whenever they pull off of your nipple. Keeping your baby in an upright position can help relieve and prevent reflux because gravity keeps the contents of his stomach down. Make sure to keep him upright for 2030 minutes after you feed him. Place your baby on your lap with his head resting on your chest. Try and keep your baby quiet while holding him upright. Doctors recommend that babies sleep on their backs to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome; however, this position may cause problems for babies with moderate to severe reflux and your doctor may suggest putting your baby to sleep on her side or stomach, but this is rarely recommended. Make sure to speak with your baby's doctor before changing her sleeping position. Place your baby in her crib on a firm mattress with no blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals that might suffocate her. Gently turn her head to the side so that her mouth and nose aren't obstructed. Consider elevating the mattress slightly with a foam block or wedge pillow under the head of the mattress. Avoid using a pillow on the mattress, which could suffocate your baby. If you elevate the head of the bed, you can often continue to put your baby to bed on her back, which is usually the safest. Put your baby on her left side, which keeps the stomach inlet higher than the outlet, and may help keep food down. There are natural products called "gripe water" that many people use to soothe reflux and colic. There is no scientific evidence that gripe water is effective, but try it after consulting with your doctor. Be aware that the World Health Organization doesn't recommend giving gripe water to babies under six months. Make sure to speak to your doctor before giving your baby gripe water. Look for products with fennel, peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, or ginger. Stay away from products with sodium bicarbonate, sucrose, fructose, or alcohol.
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One-sentence summary --
Recognize symptoms of acid reflux. Adapt bottle feedings. Modify breastfeeding techniques. Burp your baby more frequently. Hold your baby upright. Change her sleeping position. Consider natural remedies.