Tannic acid and orchid growth

[karrolhk]

I have noticed that many people recommend the teabag method saying that the tannic acid in tea would help orchid growth, helping orchids to grow roots. But, I have not seen any substantial studies and evidence on the property of tannic acid.

Does anybody manage to find some evidence on tannic acid in helping orchid growth?

Or, is this just a myth that circulates around?

Thanks

[SouthPark]

Hard to say what it does or can do for orchids - possibly due to a lack of testing or consensus on the effects or benefits of teabags.

But at least ------ if enough people can get together and do some tests/testing, also including setting up benchmark (controls, with no tea-bag) --- then maybe some comments could be drawn from that.

Other options for stimulating roots growth are chemical ------ auxin --- for example one product that I have, but don't use much at all - is Auxinone. And then there are some other products - like seaweed extracts.

[karrolhk]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Other options for stimulating roots growth are chemical ------ auxin --- .

Do tea and coffee have auxins? I tried googling it but couldn't find anything.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Do tea and coffee have auxins? I tried googling it but couldn't find anything.

I assume they do have it - as sources indicate that plants - at least regular plants - develop this hormone.

But - there doesn't appear to be any source that discusses the extraction of auxins from tea and/or coffee for the purpose of applying the auxins to other plants for getting other plants to grow roots.

There are discussions about the idea of applying auxins to tea plants for stimulating roots growth etc in tea plants.

There are also discussions about nitrogen ------ something about nitrogen in plants is one factor that can trigger root growth ------ probably saying that adequately low (not high!) nitrogen level is another way to get roots to grow.

[Ray]

All plants produce auxins and cytokinins, but I suspect that the roasting and/or drying of the tea leaves and coffee beans renders them no longer potent.

Ihave read that tannins can be useful in inducing root growth, but it a very weak substitute for other additives.

[Mr.Fakename]

As far as I know there are benefits from using tea/coffee, but I'm not sure it's about auxins.
It's about amino acids, complex proteins etc.

Caution should be taken, as pH can get very low, and TDS super high.

I know someone who re-infuses used coffee grounds, and waters carnivorous plants with it, and gets very good results.

[thefish1337]

Tea contains triacontanol, a fatty alcohol found in plant cuticle waxes. Triacontanol is a plant growth stimulant and is widely used in agriculture and horticulture in Asia but less so in the west.

Free and bound triacontanol in tea leaves

A study on the occurrence of N‐triacontanol, a plant growth regulator, in tea

[karrolhk]

Originally Posted by Ray

All plants produce auxins and cytokinins, but I suspect that the roasting and/or drying of the tea leaves and coffee beans renders them no longer potent.

Ihave read that tannins can be useful in inducing root growth, but it a very weak substitute for other additives.

Hi Ray,
So, tannins are destroyed in heat? do you think that the tea soak method is a hoax?

PS. is tannic acid and tannins the same thing?

---------- Post added at 02:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

As far as I know there are benefits from using tea/coffee, but I'm not sure it's about auxins.
It's about amino acids, complex proteins etc.

Caution should be taken, as pH can get very low, and TDS super high.

I know someone who re-infuses used coffee grounds, and waters carnivorous plants with it, and gets very good results.

Hi, the good result of coffee on carnivorous plants is due to what elements in the coffee?

[SouthPark]

I agree with MFN ----- most likely need to watch out for acidity. I think carnivorous plants can handle significantly more acidity than orchids in general.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Hi Ray,
So, tannins are destroyed in heat?

No, not the tannins. For the most part, the hormones are, though.