Superthrive?

[thegamejr]

might be a stupid question, but what exactly is in superthrive and what would be the purpose of using it? ive seen it suggested and curious about it. . .

[hcastil3]

just some plant food, I use it on my orchids very very very small amount though, along with other ferts... I like it some people don't.. if you use a lot of it, it might deform your blooms.. but thats why you use it as the label shows or less..

[NYCorchidman]

You can easily google up the information, but basically it is a mixture of plant hormone.

The claim is that using the product stimulate plant growth.

I have used it on some of my plants just to see what happens. well, unfortunately, I did not see any wonderful miracles of any kind at all. lol

One thing other users on this board do warn that if you use the product at the wrong time, flowers may come out really freaky. lol

General good culture (proper light, temperature range, watering, fertilizing) is what's most important I believe.

[hcastil3]

thats right plant hormone lol

[thegamejr]

that's why i was curious, everything i read just said plant hormone ha. i might leave it alone for now at least until i'm to the point of being able to care for my plants without a bunch of additives.

[Cactuseed]

It is basically a root stimulant. Vitamin B stuff + hormones + mystery ingreds. I have used it to bring one or 2 orchids back from the dead (near rootless situations) and it is helpful for that. I sometimes use a weak solution after repotting. But regularly no, it will deform buds (missing petals) as others have mentioned.

[thegamejr]

so basically something good to have around but not use all the time, more so an as needed basis

[Orchid Whisperer]

My problems with Superthrive are (1) Bizarre claims on the label (2) undisclosed ingredients (one version of the label says 25% solids, they disclose far less than 1% of the ingredients). (3) I have also heard the stories of malformed flowers after use.

I have read additional problems elsewhere, but since I can't pull up that information at the moment, I will leave you with just the 3 above. I hear that other people use various seaweed extracts for root stimulation with good results. As someone has suggested, your best bet is just plain old good culture.

[Jayfar]

I'll just drop an excerpt of my previous post on the topic here:

For me personally, I'm very leery of buying a product of a company whose corporate stationery practically screams snake oil, even more so than the product label itself. Below is a letter Superthrive faxed to Hydrofarm in response to a request for the Superthrive MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet):

http://www.hydrofarm.com/downloads/f...MSDS)_6809.pdf

Interesting read here:

https://sharepoint.cahnrs.wsu.edu/bl...eves-purr.aspx

Why would Dr. Thomson, who “by 1979 had received a Ph.D in biochemistry and nutrition, and a Doctor of Arts in biochemistry and horticulture,” claim that SUPERthrive is a “billions-proven extra-life-maker” without the science to back this up? I tried to find more information on Dr. Thomson’s doctoral research at Columbia Pacific University (an unaccredited distance learning school in California), but it had been closed by court order in 2000 for, among other things, failing to employ duly qualified faculty and failing to meet various requirements for issuing PhD degrees.

Of course in the plus column, "Dr." Thomson did manage to live to the ripe old age of 100, before passing away in 2011.

[Chris17]

I've used it for a while and have not noticed any dramatic effects either. Good to know that it can cause deformed flowers. I will be more cautious with it.