Superthrive - looking for opinions on use

[GenevaDad]

I'm looking for opinions about the use of Superthrive. I have Phal's, Onc., and Blc's

[jrodpad]

I love the stuff when used in moderation and at appropriate times in the orchid's bloom cycle.

I add it to the orchids' water about once a month -but- only use it for orchids that are not in spike, bud or bloom and not about to be in spike, bud or bloom. It can do funky things to flowers for certain orchids if used in higher than recommended quantities or if the orchid is getting ready to spike - the problem is you don't know what orchids are sensative until you have deformed flowers.

When used properly, you get great and vigerous root growth.

- J

[tucker85]

I don't use Superthrive but I know a couple commercial orchid growers here in South Florida that use it on all their orchids.

[bballr4567]

Can you pick it up at any home store? I might use it for one of mine that had a lot of root rot.

[BikerDoc5968]

This question comes up frequently on OB. I might suggest you do a search and I'm sure you will find a great number of responses to your query. Also look for KLN and Hormex and Essential Plus.

[bballr4567]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

This question comes up frequently on OB. I might suggest you do a search and I'm sure you will find a great number of responses to your query. Also look for KLN and Hormex and Essential Plus.

I would search but can't get it to work on my phone! Lol

Great info Bud.

[BikerDoc5968]

Originally Posted by bballr4567

I would search but can't get it to work on my phone! Lol

Great info Bud.

well, then you are most fortunate that Ray has chimed in once again. The "search" of which I mentioned would have found Ray's multiple excellent responses to this topic. And, as has ALWAYS been the case, he has very knowledgeably responded with trustworthy information! Thanks.

[Bud]

Super-Thrive is basically Vitamin B1 and Thamine. Thamine is a rooting stimulant that can be used on seedlings as well as newly cut clones. I also use Super-Thrive on any plant with signs or stress from transplant and it works wonders on them. The best part is the smallest amount, one drop, is all this is needed per. gallon of water. Because it contains no active fertilizers Super-Thrive has no chance of causing nutrient burn or any other damage for that matter, so one need not worry about giving it to their plants. Furthermore, I have seen firsthand the vigor Super-Thrive induces in struggling plants and I can tell you it does in fact work. I use it for my seedling Vandas and the newly cut keikis of any of my plants.
Super-Thrive DOES NOT increase bud size and mind you this is not its intended purpose. Most people gather this misconception from the advertisement which pictures super large fruit which they then equate to a wonder formula that will make their plants giants... not so. Rather, it is used as a quick and effective cure-all for immature and unhealthy plants.
Superthrive is not meant for the flowering stage. It is intended for use on seedlings, clones, veg’ing plants and plants that are sick or in distress.
I have always been an advocate of using/doing what is best for you and your plants as well. I am all for people reading literature to gain knowledge and make an informed decision.
About the only thing I dislike about Super-Thrive is the smell that just won't come off your hands.

[Ray]

I'm afraid there is some incomplete and incorrect info here.

Indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) are synthetic hormones of the auxin family. One of them is particularly well-suited to initiating new root growth (NAA, if I recall correctly), while the other promotes continued growth of existing roots. Auxins can have other effects, including plant growth and flower size, but there are others that do those more effectively. Vitamin B1 (which IS thiamine) is also a known root-growth stimulant. They are not fertilizers.

K-L-N contains both hormones (about 0.1% each) and B1 (0.025%). SuperThrive - among a concoction of other things like kelp extracts, humic acid, etc. - contains B1 (0.09%) and NAA (0.04%).

The hormones are powerful chemicals, which is why they are typically in concentrations below 0.1% in the bottle, and are recommended at a drop or two per gallon in application (0.000002%).

They also tend to work by "instantaneous exposure". Think of a light switch - once you apply the energy and flip the lever up, continuing to push on it does not make the light glow brighter. Once the cells get "turned on", adding more hormone does not accelerate them (it might turn on more cells, though, if you didn't get a good treatment the first time).

I have first-hand experience that applying them too heavily can have negative effects: Many years ago, I developed my own formulation that testing showed was superior to both K-L-N and ST. As a further experiment, I started increasing the dosage. After an extended period of the equivalent to 1 teaspoon per gallon, all of my phalaenopsis flowers were deformed as they came into bloom. It was, fortunately, reversible.

I have heard from another grower that plant growth was stunted with such a large exposure as well, but I do not recall seeing that.

Another thing to keep in mind about the hormones: they are very unstable, degrading very quickly upon exposure to sunlight and heat. If you keep a bottle at household temperatures, they will be relatively ineffective in a matter of a few months. A refrigerator can extend the life to a year or so.

My personal "take" on their use is that if your orchid culture is good, using them doesn't add a great deal. If, on the other hand, your culture is lacking and the root systems are suffering, they can be beneficial.

[jrodpad]

Oh no! After reading Ray's response, I realized that I totally and completely lied in my response to this question! I've never used Superthrive. I was thinking K-L-N the entire time. Everything I wrote holds true for K-L-N, but I can't comment at all about superthrive, I've never touched the stuff.

Sorry!