looking for kelp sample

[Wrebbitrocks]

I've been reading up on kelp products and i'm incredibly interested. Now, I'd really like to try either maxicrop or kelpmax/solo by rays but id like to know if the results are comparable to superthrive since a bottle is 8 bucks here and an entire quart from rays costs a little more +s/h. im sure its worth the extra to get them but i'd like to sample some first if anyone has a small vial or something i could pay for to try out and see the results. plus i wanted to know if kelp solutions come with the extra mutation defects that s.t. is known to cause and if it smells funny. thanks

[keithrs]

I have no real world experience with Superthrive but I have used KLN with very poor results. More and more hydro users are using kelp for cloning over other rooting hormones. I would just bust out the wallet and give it a try to see if you like it.

[silken]

I used to use KLN but think I really see a difference with the kelp. Anything over-used could cause problems such as deformed buds or just burning roots etc. But I think since kelp is natural there would be less risk of that. I still throw a drop of SuperThrive in the water at times, but can't say whether it makes a difference. It probably does but not like some of the root growth I am seeing since using kelp. For me, I do find the results really show on cattleya orchids but less on fine rooted orchids.

[cbuchman]

I was using neither and just started with SyperThrive (3 drops/5 quarts). I started with MSU fert at the same time, so I don't know which is truly responsible for the increased root and pbulb growth; but there is a definite improvement!

[tucker85]

I've used Maxicrop liquid Seaweed for several years now and I think it's a great product. You can get a 35 oz. bottle from Amazon.com for $9.95 plus shipping. Buy the seaweed only, don't buy the one with iron or the one with fish emulsion or the one with fertilizer.
I would suggest that you wait until spring. Maxicrop is a growth stimulator and most orchids are in a slow growth cycle or a blooming cycle or resting period during the winter. Stimulating growth right now might not be a good idea. I use it at 1 oz. per gallon, once a week in the spring, to get orchids started.
Only use one growth stimulator at a time. I used Maxicrop along with Superthrive, a few years ago, and wound up with some deformed pseudobulbs. It didn't harm the plant thank goodness.
Some of your garden centers in Tucson may carry Maxicrop or one of the other seaweed products.

[Ray]

You want a product heavy with auxins.

The problem with the synthetic auxins (such as those in K-L-N and SuperThrive, to name a couple) is that they are very chemically unstable, so your "new" bottle may be chemically inactive once you get it. Improper storage can kill them in no time.

I cannot speak for Maxicrop, but KelpMax actually has a preservative in it to keep it active for a number of years.

[Wrebbitrocks]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I've used Maxicrop liquid Seaweed for several years now and I think it's a great product. You can get a 35 oz. bottle from Amazon.com for $9.95 plus shipping. Buy the seaweed only, don't buy the one with iron or the one with fish emulsion or the one with fertilizer.
I would suggest that you wait until spring. Maxicrop is a growth stimulator and most orchids are in a slow growth cycle or a blooming cycle or resting period during the winter. Stimulating growth right now might not be a good idea. I use it at 1 oz. per gallon, once a week in the spring, to get orchids started.
Only use one growth stimulator at a time. I used Maxicrop along with Superthrive, a few years ago, and wound up with some deformed pseudobulbs. It didn't harm the plant thank goodness.
Some of your garden centers in Tucson may carry Maxicrop or one of the other seaweed products.

thanks, i thought of using it in the spring but i have a few orchids that are kinda sick and need some root growth pronto to keep them alive. il look for some local stores

[Wrebbitrocks]

Originally Posted by Ray

You want a product heavy with auxins.

The problem with the synthetic auxins (such as those in K-L-N and SuperThrive, to name a couple) is that they are very chemically unstable, so your "new" bottle may be chemically inactive once you get it. Improper storage can kill them in no time.

I cannot speak for Maxicrop, but KelpMax actually has a preservative in it to keep it active for a number of years.

thanks ray. i was reading up on the product. i was thinking that kelpmax was the way to go for rooting my new transplants but i was also interested in solo. it has both msu and kelp. which would you recommend more

[Ray]

Either one will work, but I recommend straight KelpMax without fertilizer for transplants.

Solo is really only intended for the casual grower with only a few plants, who wants a simple method of providing nutrition with a little "kick" of hormones to help spark root growth. If your pretreatment is more concentrated to get a bigger "kick", then the mineral content and EC could be excessive. Don't forget that the Solo product is to be used no more than every two weeks (for the auxin/cytokinin hormone cycle to mostly complete itself), so has a stronger dose of fertilizer than one might use if feeding more frequently.