Is it safe to use superthrive for orchids in leca?

[datperson12345]

I'm thinking of buying superthrive for my orchids, but i have no experience in fertilising, can anyone link a thorough guide? also is superthrive safe for orchids in leca?

[Brooke]

I hope so because I've used it for years in LECA and every other media known to man.

Brooke

[Pilot]

Well super thrive isn't a fertilizer. But yes it is safe.

[billc]

Originally Posted by brooke

I hope so because I've used it for years in LECA and every other media known to man.

Brooke

How often do you use it Brooke? The plants you post always look so well grown. I was using it several years ago but only as a soak for roots when repotting to stimulate root growth.

Bill

[Ray]

Bill,

SuperThrive (like K-L-N) contains synthetic auxins.

When applied to a plant, they cause new root tip growth to be initiated. As they grow, about a week or so following the treatment, the root tips emit cytokinins, which cause cells to elongate (grow). It should be added with fertilizer, so the plants have fuel for the reaction.

Many folks (including me, formerly) add a drop or two per gallon of fertilizer at every watering, but based upon what the manufacturers of KelpMax have told me (it contains natural auxins), once that process begins, it's 2-3 weeks before the plant will respond again to any significant degree, so I now add it about once a month, in a stronger dose.

[ALToronto]

Ray, so how is it different from KelpMax in terms of what it does to the plants? Does it help to use both ST and KelpMax?

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by Ray

Bill,

SuperThrive (like K-L-N) contains synthetic auxins.

When applied to a plant, they cause new root tip growth to be initiated. As they grow, about a week or so following the treatment, the root tips emit cytokinins, which cause cells to elongate (grow). It should be added with fertilizer, so the plants have fuel for the reaction.

Many folks (including me, formerly) add a drop or two per gallon of fertilizer at every watering, but based upon what the manufacturers of KelpMax have told me (it contains natural auxins), once that process begins, it's 2-3 weeks before the plant will respond again to any significant degree, so I now add it about once a month, in a stronger dose.

That's interesting, Ray. I think I've observed the same thing. Growth hormones seem to have greatest effect on orchids that haven't been exposed to them for a few months. When I was using a seaweed extract every week, the effects were not as dramatic.

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by billc

How often do you use it Brooke? The plants you post always look so well grown. I was using it several years ago but only as a soak for roots when repotting to stimulate root growth.

Bill

Bill I use it three weeks in a row, 4-6 drops per gallon in my fertilizer water.

I started using it when I was growing bonsai several years ago because of regrowth of roots after they were cut off.

Brooke

[Ray]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

Ray, so how is it different from KelpMax in terms of what it does to the plants? Does it help to use both ST and KelpMax?

Kelpmax contains natural auxins and cytokinins, although it's the auxins that are really the benefitial ingredient, and they predominate by far.

SuperThrive contains synthetic auxins.

I can think of no good reason to use both products, as they are supposed to do the same thing to the plant.

My own observations are that the KelpMax is more effective (not a sales pitch, but an explanation of why I have switched in my own regimen). Now, whether that is due to the specific hormones in them (Kelpmax has 18 different ones, ST has 1), or due to relative chemical stability (the hormone in ST will be good for about a year from manufacture if kept cool and dark; much shorter time if allowed to warm up or be exposed to sunlight. KelpMax has a preservative in it rendering it stable for at leat two years according the to producer) I cannot say.