To B1 or not to B1? That is the question...

[Kelo]

Does anyone have a differing opinion to that contained in the link below? Do you use B1 and are convinced that it works or do you think that it really doesn't work?


Does vitamin B1 help transplants take root? | Sunset | Find Articles at BNET

[Ray]

Vitamin B1 is well-established as a root growth stimulant. It is not nearly as powerful as the synthetic rooting hormones IBA and NAA, however, but is more chemically stable.

In a bottle of SuperThrive, K-L-N, or Hormex that is more than 6 to 9 months old, it is probably the only stimulant left that's still effective.

With any of them, don't expect "magic". Coffee is a stimulant to people, but does not bring about noticeable changes in most.

[tucker85]

I feel the study was flawed. It compared plants grown with fertilizer to plants grown with B1 and no fertilizer. They should also compare a group with B1 and fertilizer. I have never heard anyone suggest that root stimulating products should be used to replace fertilizer. They are used as suppliments along with fertilizer.

[opal]

To me B1 is the coffee for the people regarding orchids. Lol. Let me explain.

People don't care for an orchid properly and it is in poor condition. They hear about B1 and buy it, add to water and carefully administer to orchid maintaining the proper care. Because they are very interested in what will effects of B1 be, they develop increased interest in plant, and care for it more frequently and properly. The orchid flourishes and conclusion is it's all because B1 when its because of proper care.

Unless someone who is living from growing orchids can prove it they seen increase in size/flower/root after they added B1, and not because
- they installed new misting system
- they purchased 4N seedlings to grow instead of 2N
- they changed anything else relevant for growth
I would stick that it doesn't truly work.

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[Merlyn]

Originally Posted by opal

To me B1 is the coffee for the people regarding orchids. Lol. Let me explain.

People don't care for an orchid properly and it is in poor condition. They hear about B1 and buy it, add to water and carefully administer to orchid maintaining the proper care. Because they are very interested in what will effects of B1 be, they develop increased interest in plant, and care for it more frequently and properly. The orchid flourishes and conclusion is it's all because B1 when its because of proper care.

Unless someone who is living from growing orchids can prove it they seen increase in size/flower/root after they added B1, and not because
- they installed new misting system
- they purchased 4N seedlings to grow instead of 2N
- they changed anything else relevant for growth
I would stick that it doesn't truly work.

That was a great explanation, Opal !!! I've been using Quick Start and Super Thrive and KLN at different times in my life for different plants and I must agree that you're most likely right that, in a nutshell, all it REALLY does is increase the confidence and attentiveness of the caretakers !!!! ESPECIALLY since only recently learning that at room temperature most of the ingredients in these products dissipates and I never kept them anywhere else but at room temp !!!!

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[PaphMadMan]

I agree the study is seriously flawed by comparing treatments with and without fertilizer and drawing any conclusions about B1. In ancient memories of horticulture classes I seem to recall that the original research on B1 and transplant shock and rooting was done on woody dicot plants where it acts to promote root growth, but most orchids have very different root structure from woddy dicots. I don't know if any good research was ever done with orchids, or marigolds, but this study does not appear to have advanced the science at all.

Since most orchid hobbyists that try a B1 product have not already perfected their growing practices otherwise, but are trying to save plants that are doing poorly, much of the anecdotal evidence is likely due to improved attention and care, not the B1. But I do believe the conventional wisdom of the horticulture industry that in the right circumstances and for the right purpose B1 does have a positive effect. Most orchid hobbyists just don't necessarily use it that way.

[Ray]

Many years ago I formulated my own fertilizer additive, something closer to SuperThrive than K-L-N, as there was more than just IBA, NAA, and B1.

I did a side-by-side comparison of about 200 seedlings each: Fertilizer, fertilizer + ST, fertilizer + my concoction.

After about 6 months, both groups getting additives were noticeably bigger than the one getting only fertilizer, and "my stuff" had a slight edge, but probably not statistically so.

PMM is right - most nutrient studies are done on dicots, and not all that much on monocots, unless they are food crops - grasses and grains.

[ezil]

I have used Superthrive and k-L-N for 3 years, in the hope that it would do "something". For about a year now, I haven't used any of it and I can honestly say that I see no difference. I'm glad, now I can use the money for orchids.