KelpMax (from Ecklonia maxima) is only available via Ray (in the US).

There is a study to compare six different seaweed extracts (Stirk and van Staden 1997. J. of Applied Phycology 8: 503-508). It used Mung Beans to measure the root production. KelpMax does have the highest root production (when it was used at a really high concentration). But at the concentration we use (2 tsp/gallon = 0.26% v/v), the difference among products were relatively small. There was no statistics, but KelpMax and Maxicrop were similar at 0.2-1%, and they appeared to be better than others. But this experiment is just one side of the plant growth regulators, and other aspects could differ among products. For some reason, the authors of the study made the concluding statement that the levels of auxin- and cytokinin-activities were similar among different products.

Oh thank you! I found it on amazon, its not that much more than what I paid for my other stuff.

Seaplex is from Ascophyllum nodosum, which is the common source (e.g. Maxicrop). JFYI.

@ Naoki you just talked so far above my mental capacity haha:blushing::rofl:. Thank you for the information, I appreciate it.

But ya'll were of great help, I have new items to check out! the better the products the better the plants.

So putting it in clear glass bottles on the shelf below my Catt's under a four bulb T5, in my midwest house with a broken air conditioner, probably wasn't the best way to store it? Oh well…I'll mix a new batch this weekend.

This is the one I got: Amazon.com : Liquid Kelp Organic Seaweed Fertilizer - 32 Ounces : Patio, Lawn & Garden

It had good reviews and I didn't think about the possibility of different types of seaweed being better than others. It wasn't super pricy so no big deal if its not the best and I need to replace it.

Thanks so much for all the info. As usual, you were all super helpful! :)

Because I don’t have access at KelpMax, I used seaweed from hydroponic stores and there are a lot of “sweets” and I don’t think if in study to compare six different seaweed extracts are included a serious company.

I think that Kelpmax is only available online from First Ray's.

Yeah after I asked that my neuroreceptors kicked in and I remembered that that was from ray...college finals are dangerous on your brain!! :rofl:

I also use whichever kelp I can find because it is not really accessible where I live. But so far it seems either of several brands I have used really do have a positive effect on root growth. I always use it when I get a new bare root plant or have one that is struggling. I never had the kind of root growth a couple years ago that I now have.

One of the containers said it does not store well once mixed and I keep my liquid kelp in the fridge in its concentrated form. I only mix enough to use at one time except if I soak roots on an ailing plant I will keep the solution in a cool dark place or fridge and soak them again in a week after I have brought it to room temperature.

One of the nice things about KelpMax is that, unlike most other brands, they have found a combination of organic preservatives to add to it, giving it a room temp stability of "at least two years" according to the producer.

The samples I got from the US distributor was 30 months from manufacturing, and that is what gave me this, a couple of weeks after a single application:

http://www.firstrays.com/Pictures/Ke..._branching.jpg