Veterinary vitamin complex for orchids...???

[Georg Luiz Barth]

Hi guys, a few orchidists here in Brazil are using a veterinary vitamin complex called Vita Gold. Spray 10 drops of the product on the leaves and roots, diluted in 1 liter of water, once a month. "They say" it's great for getting orchids to root quickly. I believe it is one of those speculations, without scientific basis....but I would like your opinion.
Formula: Nicotinamide (min.) 10.00 g
Vitamin A (min.) 15,000,000.00 I.U.
Vitamin B1 (min.) 4,000.00 mg
Vitamin B2 (min.) 1,500.00 mg
Vitamin B6 (min.) 2,000.00 mg
Vitamin B12 (min.) 4,800.00 µg
Vitamin D3 (min.) 4,000,000.00 I.U.
Vitamin E (min.) 1,000.00 I.U.

[Dimples]

My first thought is that’s just as useful as suggesting people feed plant fertilizer to their animals to ensure a shiny coat (don’t do that, lol).

Plants and animals are very different organism. I would expect that a product suitable for one would not be suitable for the other from an immediate biological perspective (animals must consume vitamin e, plants produce it themselves). The research I’ve read doesn’t support the use of B-vitamins as a growth/root stimulator so you’d be better off with a proven product designed for plants if you want to try something.

I’ve had fantastic results using a heat mat to boost root growth on my phals.

[Georg Luiz Barth]

Originally Posted by Dimples

The research I’ve read doesn’t support the use of B-vitamins as a growth/root stimulator so you’d be better off with a proven product designed for plants if you want to try something.

I’ve had fantastic results using a heat mat to boost root growth on my phals.

I have not used this product...I agree that there are other effective methods and products. KelpMax, heat mat for example, and above all... a good growing condition.

[estación seca]

Plants make all the vitamins except for B12.

[Ray]

There has been some suggestion that B1 has root-growth stimulating effect, while others claim it’s just an easy-to-break down nitrogen source.

[Dimples]

Aside from the use of B1 in tissue culture media, where it seems to be useful if not important to the process (I know little about TC), the current reasoning behind the continued acceptance of the myth of B1 being a root stimulant or anti-transplant-shock treatment is due to studies from the 1930s-40s using B1 and other known hormones in the treatment mixtures. Yes, B1 was applied to the plants. Yes, the treatment group(s) had some degree of improved rooting/root growth, but the root stimulating effects have since been credited to the hormones in the mixes. B1 was just along for the ride and received more credit than was due.

Studies with only B1 or B1+other nonhormonal nutrient ingredients (example here) have reliably shown no effect on root growth of seedlings or cuttings.

Is the use of B1 going to hurt plants? Probably not.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Dimples

Aside from the use of B1 in tissue culture media, where it seems to be useful if not important to the process (I know little about TC), the current reasoning behind the continued acceptance of the myth of B1 being a root stimulant or anti-transplant-shock treatment is due to studies from the 1930s-40s using B1 and other known hormones in the treatment mixtures. Yes, B1 was applied to the plants. Yes, the treatment group(s) had some degree of improved rooting/root growth, but the root stimulating effects have since been credited to the hormones in the mixes. B1 was just along for the ride and received more credit than was due.

Studies with only B1 or B1+other nonhormonal nutrient ingredients (example here) have reliably shown no effect on root growth of seedlings or cuttings.

Is the use of B1 going to hurt plants? Probably not.

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