KLN-ST effects on humans...

[joe_orch]

I have both K-L-N and Superthrive available to me and both contain hormones. Is there any effect on humans in either the concentrate or diluted form of these? Is protection required when using these products?

Thanks,

Joe

[littlefrog]

No problem unless you are alien plant monster. The hormones are plant specific.

[tuvoc]

Arg, Gulp, Gasp. So NOW you tell me.

Kim

[Becca]

I mix my fertilizer and K-L-N into the water by sticking my hand and arm in the bucket and giving it a good swish....I haven't noticed any ill side effects..... Maybe that's what is wrong with me

[goodgollymissmolly]

I guess I have the reverse question. Do they have any impact on the plants?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

I guess I have the reverse question. Do they have any impact on the plants?

In my experience, very definitely. I use KLN and it's use has resulted in root growth I can't explain any other way. That's just my experience.

[newflasker]

It's better to be safe than sorry. Many pesticides, insecticides, hormones, orange agent, breath implant, artificial food, etc.. were considered safe now disappear on the market. We should read labels and warning careful, use them with caution, don't scare too much about them but protect yourself as much as you can.

[Ray]

The EPA's opinion is that at the exposures and concentration normally used, the hormones offer no potential for harm to workers or the environment. They regulate them anyway....

The hormones are very powerful in their effect on plants, but they also degrade very rapidly upon exposure to light and heat. That's great for the environment, but folks typically don't store the stuff properly, and so allow it to degrade in the bottle! At that point, it won't do much of anything.

To follow up on that... cold and dark

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Ray

The EPA's opinion is that at the exposures and concentration normally used, the hormones offer no potential for harm to workers or the environment. They regulate them anyway....

The hormones are very powerful in their effect on plants, but they also degrade very rapidly upon exposure to light and heat. That's great for the environment, but folks typically don't store the stuff properly, and so allow it to degrade in the bottle! At that point, it won't do much of anything.

To follow up on that... cold and dark

Ray,
So say I mix some KLN into my pre-soak water for my s/h and leave it to sit for 24 hours in the pre-soak uncovered and exposed to light, does this mean it won't do any good to add it to the pre-soak because it degrades quickly upon exposure?

[Ray]

Bec,

The degradation isn't THAT fast!

The degradation rate is controlled by the amount of energy applied to the molecules. From a practical perspective, temperature and light are those energy sources, and the most energetic part of the light spectrum is the UV. With the evaporation of the water and normal household temperatures, it's not going to get very warm. Keeping the bottle in a hot garden shed over the summer is another matter, and that's really what I was referring to.

I also recommend you stop and think about the light for a moment: are you keeping the soaking medium out in the sun, or are you thinking about light bulbs, most of which don't emit sufficient UV (or energy flux in general) to be of any concern.

Also keep in mind that the stuff that's absorbed into the medium isn't seeing any light at all, and neither is any of the liquid much below the surface of your soaking container.

However, if you are like me and feed from a tank of concentrate (mine is 30 gallons) that is metered into the water supply to make up nutrient solution (3750 gallons), that tank is in the greenhouse, exposed to warmth and light for a long time, so adding rooting hormones to that means they are probably only good for the first watering, immediately after the addition.