Superthrive & PH crash

[goodgollymissmolly]

Jerry is correct. The small amount of Superthrive that you add would have no impact on pH.

Rain water or RO water should be about 5.5 to 6.2pH depending on how much carbon dioxide it has dissolved. It will get to 5.5 eventually but may be closeerr to 6 if used freshly.

Fertilizers intended for tap water typically reduce pH because tap water typically contains calcium and magnesium carbonates that raise pH to 7-8. In order to utilize all nutrients plants should be watered at 5.5 +/- 0.5 pH. If you use RO or rain you need to use a fertilizer intended for those waters that does not lower pH.

He is also correct in that 4.5 won't hurt your plants but some nutrients become unavailable at that pH.

I question your conclusion that KLM is more cost effective than Superthrive (I use neither so I have no bias towards either). Typically you use 2 drops of ST per gallon and a teaspoon to 2 teaspoons of KLN. A teaspoon is approximately 20 drops so it's 2 drops of ST to 40 drops of KLN. KLN would need to be 1/20th the cost of ST to be equal in cost per usage.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

I question your conclusion that KLM is more cost effective than Superthrive (I use neither so I have no bias towards either). Typically you use 2 drops of ST per gallon and a teaspoon to 2 teaspoons of KLN. A teaspoon is approximately 20 drops so it's 2 drops of ST to 40 drops of KLN. KLN would need to be 1/20th the cost of ST to be equal in cost per usage.

I don't know where you're getting that K-L-N application rate, but I DO know that if you use it (or any rooting hormone) at that rate regularly for extended periods, you will likely see deformation in phalaenopsis flowers - I have seen that first-hand. (In standard measures, by the way, a teaspoon is 76 drops.)

The K-L-N label and literature only give recommendations for one-time treatments at transplantation or for rooting cuttings, and state nothing about regular use. K-L-N has double the IBA that SuperThrive contains, AND has NAA as well, so it seems logical that one- or two drops per gallon is appropriate for it, just like ST.

[Masdyman]

The superthrive IS having a impact on ph @ the dilution rate of 1ml per gallon from ph 7 to 4.4 ph .
At few drops(i do 3)per gallon it dropped to 5.5 ph .
So how does this impact, in relation to the feed if the PH is not adjusted cannot be good if used regular .