Contents of Superthrive and K-L-N.

[peeweelovesbooks]

The label for superthrive reminded me of dr. Bonner's soaps. Which is the reason I stopped using it once I realized what it reminded me of. (dangling participle and all) LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Ray]

Actually, that information is incomplete.

K-L-N contains about 0.05% IBA, about 0.10% NAA, and 0.025% B1. The plant food ingredients (N, P, & K) are not a fertilizer, but a remnant of the compounds used to get the hormones in solution. IBA and NAA - by themselves - are not very water soluble, so they are introduced as mineral salts of those chemicals.

At 0.009-0.011-0.006, when used at the recommended 1 drop-per-gallon rate, that's equivalent to adding 0.0015 ppm N fertilizer - next to nothing.

SuperThrive - from a hormone perspective - only contains NAA, at about half the concentration as K-L-N. It also has about 0.09% B1, plus a wide variety of other ingredients - kelp extracts, humic acid, iron compounds, etc. - which might be of some benefit, but that begs the question of how much benefit at such low concentrations - again considering the 1 drop per gallon use rate. I'm sure it also contains the "plant food" components, but the "Vitamin Institute" has chosen not to publish than information - nor a MSDS, for that matter - while Dyna-Gro does.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Ray

Actually, that information is incomplete.

K-L-N contains about 0.05% IBA, about 0.10% NAA, and 0.025% B1. The plant food ingredients (N, P, & K) are not a fertilizer, but a remnant of the compounds used to get the hormones in solution. IBA and NAA - by themselves - are not very water soluble, so they are introduced as mineral salts of those chemicals.

At 0.009-0.011-0.006, when used at the recommended 1 drop-per-gallon rate, that's equivalent to adding 0.0015 ppm N fertilizer - next to nothing.

SuperThrive - from a hormone perspective - only contains NAA, at about half the concentration as K-L-N. It also has about 0.09% B1, plus a wide variety of other ingredients - kelp extracts, humic acid, iron compounds, etc. - which might be of some benefit, but that begs the question of how much benefit at such low concentrations - again considering the 1 drop per gallon use rate. I'm sure it also contains the "plant food" components, but the "Vitamin Institute" has chosen not to publish than information - nor a MSDS, for that matter - while Dyna-Gro does.

Where can one find the complete ingredient list with mineral content and hormonal contents?

[Call_Me_Bob]

So whsts the verdict guys? whats the best thing to use?

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I thought something was a bit off when they don't list their ingredients on the bottles.

One of the red flags for me with Superthrive was all the advertising on the package. It literally looks like a bottle on card with a bunch of writing on it that makes it look like something out of an infomercial (if this makes any sense).

The point being...

Why so much advertising?

I'll admit, I bought Superthive before, and I bought a bottle of K-L-N not too long ago.

At least Superthrive has some NAA in it.

Not sure what the vitamin B1 does for the plant. I gotta look that up.

I don't know...

I seriously think that someone needs to conduct a controlled experiment with these two products and see what's up.

LMAO...that's exactly what I thought! I bought a bottle of the stuff, and that was the very first thing I noticed, with all the fonts, colors, and patterns.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Where can one find the complete ingredient list with mineral content and hormonal contents?

For K-L-N, it's the MSDS and label. For SuperThrive it's a trade secret, so you cannot.

[BikerDoc5968]

Thanks, Ray for your information. I knew there was something wrong when I went to the links above. For those of you who want to confuse the issue even more, there are other products out there that contain similar components in different proportions. The one I've been using is HORMEX LIQUID CONCENTRATE. I am using this product because for me it is more easily attainable and relatively inexpensive as compared to "mail order". I purchase it at a local hydroponics store. It contains the following: NAA 0.24%, IBA 0.013% and Vit B-1 0.25%. I pay about $15.00 for a 16 oz container. The dilution calls for 1 teasp/gal.

The other root/growth stimulator that I have found useful is called Essential Plus 1-0-1 Natural Plant & Root Stimulant. It contains a small amount of N and P with some trace elements, Kelp extract, Humic Acid, Gibberellic Acid, Vit B-6 and B-2, Lignin and almost a dozen amino acids. It costs me about $22.50 for a 32 oz container.

Now, do I see a difference using these products... or am I just getting better at growing my chids????? As we all know, there is no quick fix, magical liquid that will produce stronger growing, better flowering plants than basic good growing habits. But having a "crutch" sure helps when your back is up against the wall!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Thanks, Ray for your information. I knew there was something wrong when I went to the links above. For those of you who want to confuse the issue even more, there are other products out there that contain similar components in different proportions. The one I've been using is HORMEX LIQUID CONCENTRATE. I am using this product because for me it is more easily attainable and relatively inexpensive as compared to "mail order". I purchase it at a local hydroponics store. It contains the following: NAA 0.24%, IBA 0.013% and Vit B-1 0.25%. I pay about $15.00 for a 16 oz container. The dilution calls for 1 teasp/gal.

The other root/growth stimulator that I have found useful is called Essential Plus 1-0-1 Natural Plant & Root Stimulant. It contains a small amount of N and P with some trace elements, Kelp extract, Humic Acid, Gibberellic Acid, Vit B-6 and B-2, Lignin and almost a dozen amino acids. It costs me about $22.50 for a 32 oz container.

Now, do I see a difference using these products... or am I just getting better at growing my chids????? As we all know, there is no quick fix, magical liquid that will produce stronger growing, better flowering plants than basic good growing habits. But having a "crutch" sure helps when your back is up against the wall!

Thanks!

For me, it really doesn't matter what product I use, it's just gotta work or it's just dumping money down the toilet.

That's my thing.

I've always wondered if there's a significant difference between using these products and not for the regeneration of damaged roots. Particularly when there are no more roots on a plant.

As we all know, sometimes, even the most reputable orchid vendors will sell plants that have damaged root systems or plants that have absolutely no viable roots whatsoever.

So far, I haven't found any information that's swaying me to say with 100% certainty that these products definitively work without a shadow of a doubt and that they do exactly what they say they do, while providing significant enough results compared to when they're not being used.

I mean, for all I know, coconut water may be much more effective at producing new growth in orchids, than any of these products. It's cost effective, natural, and makes a great refreshing drink after you're done using it and still have some left.

IDK, maybe I'll never know.

Don't get me wrong, I've used both K-L-N, and Superthrive, but there's just a gut feeling that their usage may not provide enough of a significant difference from not using them.

I understand the significance of the products containing hormones such as IBA, IAA, etc. Sometimes it's not about that, sometimes the concentration of those hormonal ingredients is what I wonder about as well. What is a strong enough concentration to be effective for the regeneration of roots in orchids, and what kinds of orchids?

Like I said, just still fuzzy about it, and it's this fuzziness about these products that bug. So far, I haven't found an article from anyone that details a controlled study about these products.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by help

So whsts the verdict guys? whats the best thing to use?

Honestly, whichever one you can get your hands on. They both work well.

[got ants]

I just started using Superthrive about 9 months ago, and immediately saw a difference. Since I've been using it, now I can't tell the difference.

Now if I stopped using it, will I see a decline in growth?

I use KLN, but only when repotting, from advice of others, not knowing if it ,makes a difference or not.

As far as fonts and print all over the bottle of Superthrive, hey, it IS marketing, but that doesn't necessarily mean the product is bogus.

Heck, I use Dr Bonners mint soap in the summer. Nothing like coming out of a shower when its 95+% outside and still feeling fresh.