Questions about Dyna gro K L N?? - Orchid Board

shushu45 · #1 07-06-2013, 03:52 PM

Good afternoon. ^_^

I just got a 8oz bottle of K L N. And was wondering how did it work for you all??
How long did it take to see results??
How much did you all use with your orchids??
I read the info on the back and it said 1 tsp per gallon. Is it ok to put a drop or two into a spray bottle??
And can I use fertilizer with it??

cbuchman · #2 07-06-2013, 04:46 PM

I use KLN about every 4 weeks (first watering of each calendar month). I use 1/2 tsp in 1 gal of water in addition to my regular fertilizer. I often see new root growth in about 2 week.

I'd be interested to know if others user more or less per gallon or use more frequently.

shushu45 · #3 07-06-2013, 05:24 PM

Thank you.

Same here

Ray · #4 07-07-2013, 09:55 AM

Hey Shushu - just noted the locale - spent a lot of time of there, working with the glass plants and HQ folks many years ago.

K-L-N contains artificial auxins. Shortly after application, the plant will pump those down to the roots, where new tips will be initiated. The time span for that activity to start, reach a peak, then fade away again, is about a week or so. As the root tips grow, they emit another class of hormones, called cytokinins, that move up into the plant from the roots, causing stimulation of plant growth. That process, too, goes from start-to-finish in a week or so, but with a bit of a delay from the auxin reaction. The overall process is about three weeks or so, and I think it's reasonable to expect a noticeable effect in the 4-6 weeks, post-application, time frame.

The producers of KelpMax, a natural source of the hormones, recommend that you not treat plants more frequently than about every three weeks. I go for a month between treatments.

When it comes to hormones, there is apparently a threshold level that must be reached: below that, nothing happens; above that the response happens, and greater amounts do nothing extra unless they are so great they interfere with other plant processes.

What that threshold is varies by plant, and I doubt much rigorous study has been done with orchids, so anecdotal evidence is all you've got to work with. However, with the (small-but-growing) understanding I have about orchid physiology and its differences from terrestrial plants, I wouldn't doubt that the level is quite low for them.

As an example, I use KelpMax at 1 Tablespoon per gallon, which ends up being a hormone level of about 4 ppb, and I see phenomenal reaction. That is not to say that 4 ppb should be your target for the hormones in K-L-N, as they have different levels of effectiveness.

And speaking of effectiveness, one of the shortcomings of hormones is their chemical instability. If that bottle of K-L-N is fresh (D-G puts mfg date stickers on them), and you keep it refrigerated, the hormones should remain effective for about a year. Let it get to room temperature, and it's maybe 6-9 months. Let it get hot or exposed to sunlight, and it's down to a matter of weeks.

shushu45 · #5 07-07-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Hey Shushu - just noted the locale - spent a lot of time of there, working with the glass plants and HQ folks many years ago.

K-L-N contains artificial auxins. Shortly after application, the plant will pump those down to the roots, where new tips will be initiated. The time span for that activity to start, reach a peak, then fade away again, is about a week or so. As the root tips grow, they emit another class of hormones, called cytokinins, that move up into the plant from the roots, causing stimulation of plant growth. That process, too, goes from start-to-finish in a week or so, but with a bit of a delay from the auxin reaction. The overall process is about three weeks or so, and I think it's reasonable to expect a noticeable effect in the 4-6 weeks, post-application, time frame.

The producers of KelpMax, a natural source of the hormones, recommend that you not treat plants more frequently than about every three weeks. I go for a month between treatments.

When it comes to hormones, there is apparently a threshold level that must be reached: below that, nothing happens; above that the response happens, and greater amounts do nothing extra unless they are so great they interfere with other plant processes.

What that threshold is varies by plant, and I doubt much rigorous study has been done with orchids, so anecdotal evidence is all you've got to work with. However, with the (small-but-growing) understanding I have about orchid physiology and its differences from terrestrial plants, I wouldn't doubt that the level is quite low for them.

As an example, I use KelpMax at 1 Tablespoon per gallon, which ends up being a hormone level of about 4 ppb, and I see phenomenal reaction. That is not to say that 4 ppb should be your target for the hormones in K-L-N, as they have different levels of effectiveness.

And speaking of effectiveness, one of the shortcomings of hormones is their chemical instability. If that bottle of K-L-N is fresh (D-G puts mfg date stickers on them), and you keep it refrigerated, the hormones should remain effective for about a year. Let it get to room temperature, and it's maybe 6-9 months. Let it get hot or exposed to sunlight, and it's down to a matter of weeks.

Thank you for the education. ^_^ the only word I don't under stand was ppb but I'll have to pull out my biochemistry book. Thank you again. ^_^

We still hake glass here. But the glass plants are slowly dyeing. This last fall they had to shut the mold shop down.

No-Pro-mwa · #6 07-07-2013, 12:35 PM

I am new to the board but would like to jump in here if I may? I have the K-L-N and have for years and just found out yesterday in reading that it is no good. So out it goes. So Ray is the kelpMax more stable will it last longer? Do you think it works better?

SHag42 · #7 07-07-2013, 01:22 PM

Hey ShuShu45

I am so glad that you brought this question up. I also just received a bottle and was wondering the same thing. I was thinking half the dose but if too little does nothing maybe I should go for the recommended amount. Looking forward to hearing what others say about it.

HighSeas · #8 07-07-2013, 05:43 PM

I have had very successful results with KLN. Have used it for years and find that it not only increases the production of new root growth but also enhances the growth rate of the plant. Like Ray says however, you have to be very careful how you store it. I NEVER leave mine out to achieve room temps. I store it in the refrigerator.

Only a few months ago, I started using Kelp as well. Both, in my opinion, are outstanding products.

Ray · #9 07-08-2013, 09:38 AM

ppb = parts per billion

I do find KelpMax to be more effective than K-L-N, but that might be its stability as much as its chemistry (I think both). It contains a preservative, and is good for "at least two years" according to the manufacturer.

No-Pro-mwa · #10 07-08-2013, 11:05 AM

Thanks HighSeas and Ray. I may have to give this kelp thing a try. Lasting longer would be better for me as I will never use up even the small one which is the one I bought years ago. But my gal didn't tell me to put it in the frig or that it didn't last long. Maybe she didn't know.