Seaweed Extract

[Ray]

DTE may be onto something, but the biggest concern I have about continual application is the stimulation of growth during period of time when the overall conditions aren't great for it - long winter stretches of cloudy days, that is, without enough sun to keep the growth sturdy.

I have applied KelpMax via an overhead spray, and I cannot see any negative impact on blooming. The treatment does result in taller spikes.

[ALToronto]

So Ray, would you revise your recommendations for KelpMax dosage and frequency of application? I see advice here that is all over the map regarding seasonal and monthly/weekly applications, so some more detailed instructions than simply 1:256 dilution would be much appreciated.

I'm also certain that instructions for stimulating root growth in rescue plants would be different than those for seedling transplants or mature plants. Please provide a brief instruction for each condition.

[Ray]

There are just too many permutations out there for me to publish an individual-by-individual guide - even if I was foolish enough to claim that I knew the answers.

The manufacturer recommends no more dilution than 500:1, as it appears to have no effect at that slim concentration, but keep in mind that their experience is based primarily upon food crops. I started at about 400:1, but increased it to 256:1 as an experiment and for convenience sake, as that's a tablespoon per gallon, and that is what I now use and recommend. I know others that are using less than 500:1, and claim they are seeing effects.

As the experience with orchids is very limited, I urge you give some consideration to the manufacturer's application frequency recommendation of every 2- to 3 weeks, and experiment as you see fit.

[DTEguy]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Wow...
Incredible...
So now I'm setting a worm composter in the corner of my yard.
I can only imagine the benefits...
And I need to find seaweed not meant for eating...
I live in California so there's gotta be a hydroponics shop within 10 minutes of me....

Ray's seaweed extract (Kelpmax) is high in auxin while others in the market is high in cytokinin. Ship a bottle from Ray, it really is worth the money.

[ALToronto]

Well, all I can say is that I've seen a dramatically positive effect with 1:256 dilution applied to seedling transplants and rescue plants, both seedling and mature size.

I've been applying KelpMax continually for a month, and now I will take a break for 2-3 weeks and see how the root growth progresses. And this is in the middle of a Canadian winter, with maybe 6-7 hours of daylight, supplemented with CFL and LED lights. The cattleya seedlings I've transplanted into my aeroponic wall and into CHC/charcoal/perlite have not skipped a beat, and all are showing vigorous root growth. Two mature cattleyas that had their root systems completely rotted away by sphagnum are also growing new roots and several new pbulbs on each plant. Some seedling 'runts' that had been planted together with well-growing seedlings (and that I had separated during repotting) are all growing new roots in semi-hydro on a heat mat. At worst, some rescues are not growing roots as fast as others, but so far, I have lost only one rescue plant which didn't have much of a chance anyways.

So clearly, this stuff works. Now my concern is - am I doing too much of a good thing? And under what circumstances is the use of seaweed extract contra-indicated altogether (e.g. when a healthy plant is in spike?)

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by DTEguy

Ray's seaweed extract (Kelpmax) is high in auxin while others in the market is high in cytokinin. Ship a bottle from Ray, it really is worth the money.

Do the manufacturers supply an analysis? Looking at the label for KelpMax at Ray's store I didn't see that.

[Ray]

The reason you don't see that on seaweed product labels is due to product registration issues.

If the product label show it to be a kelp extract that stimulates growth, it is a "plant modifier", but if it lists hormones, they are "plant growth regulators", placing them under the auspices of the EPA, and specifically placing them under FIFRA, requiring that both the firm and product be EPA registered, at an outrageous cost.

[vjo]

OK...so if it not listed on the lable how do we find out if it has auxin or cytokinin or anything else...mine only says seaweed Doesnt say how it is processed! Guess I will just use it and hope to be OK.
Every one had such a variety of answers that I guess that no matter what you do with this stuff it doesnt seem to harm anything! All the way from every day to once a month...always with fertilizer... or not...lol Thanks all, it was fun reading!...Jean

[dmacch]

Can the kelpmax mixture be distributed with a dosatron and what would the stock solution mixture be?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by vjo

OK...so if it not listed on the lable how do we find out if it has auxin or cytokinin or anything else...mine only says seaweed Doesnt say how it is processed! Guess I will just use it and hope to be OK.

Contact the manufacturer. They probably can supply a technical data sheet.

Every one had such a variety of answers that I guess that no matter what you do with this stuff it doesnt seem to harm anything! All the way from every day to once a month...always with fertilizer... or not...lol Thanks all, it was fun reading!...Jean

If you use a product that is high in cytokinins, rather than auxins, you will get great plant growth, but ut can become "leggy" and unstable, and may not have the root system it needs to support itself adequately.

---------- Post added at 08:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 AM ----------

Originally Posted by dmacch

Can the kelpmax mixture be distributed with a dosatron and what would the stock solution mixture be?

Certainly! The stock solution would have to be your final desired concentration times the metering rate.

Mine is set for 128:1, and I like to deliver KelpMax at 256:1, so that would require my stock solution to be 50% KelpMax.