If you've been using another rooting hormone you probably won't see a dramatic difference. I find that if I stop using it for a month or two and then start again, I'll see more results. I wouldn't use it at concentrations that are higher than recommended. Personally, I don't use it through the winter either. My feeling is that I don't want to stimulate growth during the time of the year when orchids don't normally grow much.

That could be the reason. I thought this Ray's info is very interesting and insightful: Plant Boosters

I'm usually surprised that people can see such a rapid response in orchids which grows slower than many other plants. To me, it takes at least a couple months (or usually more) to see the response to new cultural parameters.

That's an interesting fact and it makes sense. Thanks for sharing it.

I can't get Kelpmax over here in the UK, but since Ray started talking about it I tried a locally available seaweed extract and I've been amazed at the results with that as well. Some orchids I've struggled to get roots on for years have masses of new ones now. I don't think the stuff I use is as high in the auxims as Kelpmax but it's still better than just fertiliser :)

I don't have KelpMax but I have some of Ray's Solo as well as another kelp (seaweed) solution. I too can't believe the results I am seeing! Especially cattleyas, but others as well. I re-potted a bunch of catts into clear pots in July and when I am prowling thru my orchids, I see all this robust new white green tipped root growth and think, oh, that's from the last 6 months. But no, it is from July when these were re-potted. At the time I soak the roots for several hours in a seaweed solution and then pot and water for a few weeks with either the Solo or another kelp combo.

It may be coincidence, but I have had a lot of first time blooms this summer as well since using kelp. I will say, some of these plants were just coming to bloom size, but not sure that is all there is to it!

usage of maxicrop..dilution ratio?
 

I realize this an old thread but the info is still very much relevant.

I picked up some maxicrop the other night based on your recommendation tucker? and gave a phal I was repotting a good soak in it along with some plant starter by pennington. You seem to be pretty highly regarded on this forum from what I've seen and apparently grow orchids awesomely :)

I wanted to to know what the ratio is that you apply this maxicrop in your feeding regimen? 2 tsp/per gallon like kelpmax? sprayings of the base of the plant every other day in a diluted ratio? just feed with your fertilizer or water? At the rates on the back of the bottle for regular house plants?

Any idea what the shelf life is?

At any rate, I would greatly appreciate your advice with using maxicrop or seaweed fertilizer in general as this is a new addition to my feeding practices, thanks!
-Josh

Here is proof that Kelpmax works wonders; I use it as an addition to my fert. at a ratio of 1:500 twice a month.

So glad to read this. I just Ordered some Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed for a sick Paph I bought and another that has some rot. I can't wait to try this stuff out.

Sold on Kelpmax
 

Josh: I recommend that KelpMax be applied at one tablespoon per gallon, and used as a drench no more frequently that once a month, on a routine basis.

Empiref: The producers claim that 1:500 won't do much, but they have never worked with orchids, and you seem to have disproven that, although maybe by halving the dose and using it twice as often, you're doing the same thing I recommend. My only caveat about that is that the stimulation cycle can take 14-21 days to start, reach a peak, then fade, so you might be "pushing it" a bit, which can be detrimental to the plant.

A general comment: in this and similar threads, I see a lot of assumption that all kelp products are the same, so can be used the same, and that is very far from the truth.

Thank you for your reply Ray;

When I first started using the product around 3 years ago; it was still called Kelpak, then they changed the name to Kelpmax. Back in the Kelpak days; the label had various dosages for crops, and 1:500 for ornamental flowers, I used that and stuck with it, since all my orchids are in S/H.

1 tablespoon is about 15 ml measured in a syringe, and one US gallon is 3.785 liters, is approx. 1:250?
Do you recommend that I increase the dosage and decrease the frequency to once a month?