Feeding Orchids- - Page 2 - Orchid Board

MrsH530 · #11 06-17-2013, 04:56 PM

Do you all use KLN on all your orchids once a month? Or only those that are in bad shape?

naoki · #12 06-17-2013, 04:56 PM

Superthrive is not a "rotting" hormone, but it is a rooting hormone (known as auxin-class of hormone). http://www.orchidboard.com/community...tml#post312144 In addition, it contains Vitamin B-1. People thought that B-1 could promote rooting, too, but some scientific experiment showed that it doesn't seem to work in that way.

Auxin in K-L-N and Superthrive is synthetic/artificial, but they imitate the action of natural auxin. First Rays (Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra) sells KelpMax, which contains natural auxin and cytokinin. According to Ray, natural auxin is more stable.

There are lots of good info in his page:
First Rays' Free Info

Finally, you should be aware that Auxin is one of the most well-studied plant hormone, and it has many different effect on plant growth depending on tissue types, interaction with other hormones, concentration, etc. For example, auxin is involved in the reaction where plants grow toward light, or plants grow upward against gravity. Auxin suppresses branching in the shoot tissue (i.e. suppress side branch), but promote branching of root tissues. I do regularly use both KLN and KelpMax, but I'm not sure if I can confidently say that there is a big difference (other than "psychological").

You are less likely to get into a problem if you use weak fertilizer. Following the current trend, I use fertilizer for every watering at < 50ppm N (< 1/4 tsp/gallon for your 20%N fertilizer).

shushu45 · #13 06-17-2013, 05:08 PM

Sorry I didn't mead rotting. I meant rooting.
And I didn't know that it was a rooting hormone. It doesn't say much on the back. I'll have to look again sorry.

WhiteRabbit · #14 06-17-2013, 08:51 PM

Look for a hydroponics supply store, they will likely have kln, kelp extract, etc.

HighSeas · #15 06-17-2013, 09:14 PM

You can find Super Thrive at the big box stores but I always buy it online....because I can get more and it's cheaper. K-L-N can be purchased off Amazon. I've never seen it at local garden centers.

orchids44 · #16 06-19-2013, 10:49 PM

Sharon,
Great to have another OBer from NC! I live in Chapel Hill. I'm sure Asheville area has a Fifth Season, a hydroponic store. They sell SuperThrive, KLN, Dyna-Gro products and tons of products safe for orchids. Lowe's and Home Depot also carry SuperThrive which may be less expensive than Fifth Season.
If you're ever in the Carrboro or Raleigh area, Fifth Season has stores there. It's a great place to browse, amazing hydroponic projects growing like crazy.
I too alternate between KelpMax and Superthrive.
Welcome to the forum and happy growing

Skayc1 · #17 06-19-2013, 11:42 PM

Thanks, I had to find a hydrophonics store to buy some Leca/hydroton..they might have the kelp.

RosieC · #18 06-20-2013, 10:59 AM

I've started using a seaweed extract and the advantage I see over KLN which I had tried previously is that it keeps longer on the shelf. KLN should be kept cool (in the fridge) and degrades quite easily.

I've had far more noticable results from seaweed with orchids which were rooting OK anyway producing fatter roots, some phals with always thin roots have much fatter roots. Others that have struggled to make roots for several years are making lots of new ones now.

I'm currently using a bottle bought last year and still getting noticeable results, with KLN it would have likely degraded by now.

Discus · #19 06-20-2013, 11:14 AM

FirstRay sell a combined kelp extract/fertiliser called "solo" which might work quite well for you. https://www.firstrays.com/cgi/cart/c...duct=Chemicals

In South Africa at least, Kelpak is easy to get hold of. (I seem to recall Ray's KelpMax is rebranded Kelpak due to the kelpak people being funny about branding)

Island Girl · #20 06-20-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

I've started using a seaweed extract and the advantage I see over KLN which I had tried previously is that it keeps longer on the shelf. KLN should be kept cool (in the fridge) and degrades quite easily.

I've had far more noticable results from seaweed with orchids which were rooting OK anyway producing fatter roots, some phals with always thin roots have much fatter roots. Others that have struggled to make roots for several years are making lots of new ones now.

I'm currently using a bottle bought last year and still getting noticeable results, with KLN it would have likely degraded by now.

Yes, I completely agree with Rosie on this.

I like the KelpMax, (I also use KLN, cuz I have it) and I keep mine in the fridge as well.

I'm near Chapel Hill!! Lol, about an hour and a half away, in Salisbury, (we always called it "Smallsbury" growing up, Lol) but I do go up to Chapel Hill a good bit during basketball season!

It is certainly nice to see other OB'ers from NC... And two of them to boot!

Thank you HighSeas, b/c I didn't know that it couldn't be used for anything you eat, or eat off of... Gotta try to remember if I've used it on anything in my kitchen...

..what do I do if I have, and I don't wanna "sacrifice" it to my orchids?