Can you say "Roots"?

[james mickelso]

Yeah. What Ray said.

[Ray]

All seaweeds contain auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. The gibberellins are really powerful growth stimulating hormones, but they are SO chemically fragile, that they are totally decomposed by the time the product makes it into the bottle.

Depending upon the species harvested and the process used to extract the juices, the amounts and ratios of the auxins and cytokinins vary all over the map.

Liquids tend to have it all over powders, as the drying process degrades all hormones pretty thoroughly.

The ratio is important, as that's what controls the plant's reaction to the treatment: higher cytokinins = plant growth, with little root growth, leading to leggy, weaker plants. Higher auxins = root growth, followed by commensurate plant growth. 50/50 is anyone's guess, as it can vary between types of plants.

[MrsH530]

I've been so happy with KelpMax for my phals. As someone who has a history of root rot, this has substantially increased the root system in my plants where other root hormones saw some increase, but not nearly as much as KelpMax.

I can't thank you enough for this wonderful product, Ray!

[charitysmama]

I posted a new question on this section at 12:30 AM (big mistake, probably forgot to hit the send button) and can't find it, so will try to duplicate it. I have three phal orchids that have drooping leaves. I noticed one that had green moss growing around the bottom inside of the container. I took it out and there were hardly any roots. I have two more in the same condition. They have alot of air roots. I had them in a south east facing garden window, but put them on the top shelf because I thought that would stress them less than being down on the first shelf where it gets more light. That was probably the wrong thing to do. Should I repot them in new bark and put them on the bottom shelf? Should I cover the air roots too? Should I move them to my greenhouse where they might be a little bit warmer? It is in the high 60's in the room where I had them. Help!!!

[HighSeas]

If I had to guess....sight unseen....I'd say that you are probably overwatering. I let my phals completely dry out between watering. They object to standing in wet pots. That said, I'd repot them and watch your watering. Give them some kelp to stimulate root growth and replacement. Don't water for a week after you repot and keep them warmer but shaded. It will take some time, but they should be okay!

Here are some of the effects I've been able to achieve with KelpMax on a Vanda. The plant bloomed for me in April on two spikes. Here is a 3rd spike emerging 1 1/2 months later! I just love roots!

[james mickelso]

Saaawwweeeeeetttt!!!!