Question about stinky liquid seaweed

[Ray]

I'm really interested to see how these kelp additives work with flowering plants, as most of the experience is with food crops.

The guy that imports Kelpak is primarily a vintner, and he specializes in syrah and petit syrah. He uses the stuff in the spring to stimulate root growth and kick start the vines so they grow better, and thereby produce more and better fruit. Then, as the grapes grow, he applies it again, only this time he's looking for the cytokinins to cause extension in the rachis, separating the grapes so he can get more effective penetration of fungicides, giving him more, top-quality grapes per bunch.

[OrchidThief79]

I'm sure this issue has been discussed to death on this board, but I remain skeptical about the efficacy and necessity of these tonics and potions that supposedly enhance the growth of plants. Put simply, shouldn't a plant be able to grow by itself without the addition of hormones and other chemicals? Why try to stimulate root growth if the plant will put out roots according to its own cycles? There's an allure to meddling with plants and dousing them with magical tonics.

[Ray]

I think the "allure" is trying to get them to grow better than they might, otherwise.

You live in Honolulu, where the conditions are very conducive to excellent growth. Many of the rest of us don't have the most optimum growing conditions, so look for other ways to compensate.

In all honesty, I have always been of the opinion that providing the proper growing conditions was the best thing to do, poor conditions cannot be overcome chemically, and was extremely skeptical of seaweed additives too, until I started doing some research.

Consider this: a plant being properly cared for by a human is stronger and blooms better than does one in the wild, thanks to fewer pathogens and better, more regular irrigation and feeding, so why not look for other enhancements?

[OrchidThief79]

Very true. I suppose the entire point of horticulture is to not let plants grow naturally!

[tucker85]

Orchidthief, you can grow excellent orchids without the use of seaweed or any of the other suppliments. If you don't like the idea of using a suppliment, I don't think you should use it. Caring for your orchids should be enjoyable and if you've been convinced to use something you don't feel good about it makes the hobby less enjoyable. I've had excellent results with seaweed but I've seen spectacular orchids grown without it so do what makes you comfortable. Enjoy.

[Ray]

The importer of Kelpak has told me that the use of these products tends to increase the number and size of the vascular bundles in plants.

Improved vascular bundles means more/faster transport of nutrients and sugars throughout the plant, leading to better flowering and fruiting.

I have had a Phrag Cape Sunset for years that was "typically frustrating" in that as soon as a second blossom opened, the first would immediately drop off, even though it looked pristine. For the last couple of months, it has gotten K-Lite and Kelpak.

Here it is again, now in day 7 of two blossoms!!! Coincidence?

[denite25]

i had a bottle of it spill on and into one phals a few weeks ago....the wasnt doing well at so didnt worry about rinsing it because the plant was to end up in tme trash....well yesterday i went to toss it and i noticed roots start to grow the plants doing soooo much better now......(kids dont try this at home)

[NatalieS]

I've been using the Maxicrop seaweed extract for a little over a month now. I have a dropper and I'm literally only using a drop of the stuff in 1.5 to 2l of water when I water. I try not to use it every time I water, but sometimes I forget. Just look at the new roots on my monster phal! The pictures are of the front and back on the same section of stem.

My other phals are even getting branching roots, and my miltonia clowesii divisions, which I got recently, are also rooting beautifully.

[tucker85]

The thing that impressed me about using Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed is that you don't have to wait months to see if you get any results. When I first started using it, I saw a flush of large new roots on many of orchids after using it just a couple times.

[DelawareJim]

I'm a bit skeptical of "tonics" and "potions" as well, like OrchidThief and found Superthrive to be pretty much snakeoil and K-L-N for me does not live up to the hype although I do use it and see a little improvement over fertilizer alone. That said, I ordered some of Ray's Kelpac yesterday to give it a try as I have heard good first hand accounts from reliable sources of seaweed extract performance. As a horticulturist I understand what the actions of auxins and cytokinins are supposed to do, so I think I can give a knowledgeable critical eye to its performance.

To OrchidThief, yes the rusty smell is from the iron. I use iron supplements in my planted aquariums and it smells the same way. And yes, being iron, it does stain.

Regarding your comment about allowing a plant to grow naturally without hormones or chemicals, remember that fertilizers are chemicals and unless one lives in the perfect climate as Ray alluded to, grows only outside attached to trees and such, and is willing to accept the quality of plant and flowers, or lack of plant and flowers nature hands us, we grow in artificial environments; whether they be indoors, under lights, in greenhouses or even in pots of bark. So, most of us use chemical fertilizers to improve the health and quality of our plants.

Finally, the point of horticulture is not to not let the plant grow naturally, it is to provide the optimal environment and growing conditions to grow the healthiest and best quality plant possible.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

Cheers.
Jim