superthrive - good product for orchids?

[Alana]

I have seen it mentions lots in this forum, and today, while shopping around, I found some, so I bought it. Is it a good product to use with orchids? What is the best way to use it?

[orchidlady]

You will find that some people like it and some people don't. I do use it and have for years without any problems. Some people have had deformed flowers that they have blamed on Superthrive. I would suspect they were maybe using too much. When repotting I soak the plants a few minutes in water with Superthrive and use a small amount when I fertilize. My subjective opinion is that it does seem to stimulate root growth.

Susan

[Shannara]

I love superthrive and Fertilome root stimulator. I use superthrive once a month during the spring and summer. That root stimulator gave me some crazy root growth last spring and I plan on using it again when there is no more risk of freezing weather.

HTH

Shann~

[Alana]

I have some rooting powder, but it's Bontone. It was the only one availible :/

[jeffrey6115]

I'm a superthrive fan. I use it monthly mixed with my fertilizer solution.

[Bikerdoc5968]

I'm a superthrive fan. I use it monthly mixed with my fertilizer solution.

Jeff, have you ever used KLN or other combo products similar to KLN? And your thoughts????

[Cjcorner]

I'm also a fan of superthrive...it makes roots grow like crazy.

[jeffrey6115]

Jeff, have you ever used KLN or other combo products similar to KLN? And your thoughts????

No I've not even heard of KLN. I've only used superthrive.

[Bikerdoc5968]

To begin, my disclaimer: I'm NO expert! This topic about root stimulants (auxins) has been reviewed here and a other forums time and again. So just for the sake of information and clarification let's review. There are several root stimulants available for retail sales: SuperThrive(SUPERthrive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), Dyna-Gro KLN(http://www.dyna-gro.com/Website%20pd...MSDS%20KLN.pdf), and Hormex(http://www.hormex.com/labels/hormex_liquid_label.pdf) to name a few. All contain "similar" chemicals, 1-Napthaleneacetic Acid (NAA), 3-Indolebutyric Acid (IBA)(Indole-3-butyric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and Vitamin B-1, to varying degree. SuperThrive contains NAA and Vit-B1 along with 25% "dissolved solids" whatever they are; it's a secret! The other two contain both NAA, IBA and Vit B-1. KLN states it contains, "just the right
amount of essential minerals to get cuttings off to a great start." The bottom line from my perspective is you will use, if at all, whatever you have found works in your situation. Having said that, there are many people out there that believe if you have good plants and good growing "habits", there is no need for these kinds of products. Now I will mention a fourth product that contains none of the afore mentioned chemicals: Essential Plus Natural Plant & Root Stimulant made by Growth Products. This product contains, "100% natural organic ingredients derived from potassium Humate, 20 natural L-amino acids, "enzymes", simple and complex sugars, vitamins, kelp extract, lignin and hydrolyzed organic proteins!!!!!!! WOW, now that's a mouthful! I personally have no research knowledge that any of these work better than another. I have never used KLN but have used SuperThrive. Currently, I am using the Essential Plus and for me in my growing situation believe it has made a difference in root development over SuperThrive. Remember, these are my unscientific observations! I'm not using this posting to sell anything but for me to get the Essential Plus product I had to purchase 12 32oz containers.... needless to say that's a lot of product! So if anyone wants to help me out with this, you know how to find me!

[ManilaByNight]

For the past 4 months or so, noticed that some of my plants have somewhat gone into a state of torpor. Because of this, I observed that a few plants were somewhat deteriorating and I was worried. I tried giving them some weak supplemental organic fertilizing with fish emulsion with some hormex mixed in to "activate" and awaken them but to no success. The plants just appeared to be growing slowly or simply surviving with no visible signs of active root growth.

I then came across a bottle of Superthrive that was sold by a vendor in the garden flea market I frequent every Sunday. I've heard so much about it but never got the cahance to try it simply because it isn't available here - - Hormex being the "standard" and most common product sold in the garden section of most supermarket stores. I got excited seeing this product that I have long been looking for and bought one to give it a try.

After mixing half a capful in my large garden sprayer with a little organic fertilizer, I sprayed the solution on my seemingly dormant plants. Please do not get me wrong - I am not trying to sell or endorse the product here but really after just two days, I noticed that new, green and very healthy roots were breaking through. I was overjoyed having been able to bring back the plants out of their mysterious dormancy. 5 days have now passed and the roots are growing so wildly and there are lots of them. It is simply amazing how my plants have responded and how the roots are so actively growing and very plentiful. I don't have to worry now unlike before all I could see were just the old or some dry or dormant roots. Aside from the roots I've noticed that the plants are giving off new green leafy shoots. I am so happy.

Even my local species orchids are responding quite well. Some or the local species that I have which are supposed to be considered difficult to grow because they come from the forested areas have responded well and are looking healthier and actively growing.

I'm glad I found the vendor selling Superthrive. She was only selling three small bottles and I bought only one and after seeing the good results, I returned the following week and bought them all! LOL!

What puzzles me is what does the Superthrive contain that is not present in Hormex? Aren't the two products supposed to be similar? I mean they both contain the same kind of plant hormones - altho Superthrive advertises on their label that they have these so-called "secret" ingredients. Would anyone know what they are? These additional "secret" ingredients may be the ones responsible for activating my plants back from dormancy.

I tried smelling the two and I noticed that Superthrive smells more pungent than Hormex and has this "vinegar-like" scent as opposed to Hormex where I couldn't smell anything at all.

Hmmmm ...... I'm so happy now and intend to add a very small amount to my regular watering and feeding of my orchids. My only problem now is where to find more (and a bigger bottle of) Superthrive locally. Geesh!