Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.


Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
  #1  
Old 06-30-2022, 08:32 AM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default Superthrive…….Yes or no?

Hey OB, so recently I’ve been battling root loss because of overwatering orchids to the point where I’ve lost alot of roots and a leaf. I’m trying to encourage new roots to grow and found superthrive. I wanted to get your thoughts before moving forward with it.

Do you think it’s good idea or no?

If yes, how should I use it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-30-2022, 08:53 AM
Dusty Ol' Man's Avatar
Dusty Ol' Man Dusty Ol' Man is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Oct 2020
Zone: 9b
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Age: 70
Posts: 1,486
Default

Due to some negative results posted by some trusted members here, I would use Kelpak instead of Superthrive.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-30-2022, 08:56 AM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default

Thanks! What were the concerns?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-30-2022, 09:33 AM
Ray's Avatar
Ray Ray is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2005
Member of:AOS
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,179
Male
Default

The active ingredient in Superthrive is naphthalene acetic acid, a synthetic (auxin) rooting hormone. It is effective, but there are a couple of caveats. The first is that you must get a freshly-manufactured batch, as the synthetic hormones are chemically unstable, so degrade relatively quickly, rendering it unaffective. How you determine the age is beyond me, as they don’t put expiration dates on the packages. Dyna-Gro KLN is a similar product containing two synthetic hormones, but they are smart enough to specify the expiration.

Be careful not to overdose them. Excessive hormones can result in deformed flowers or stunted growth. With extreme dosing, they can kill the plants.

A really effective root-growth stimulant is Mega Thrive. It is a urea-based foliar fertilizer containing “mega” doses of boron and molybdenum. That extreme dosing of those trace elements stimulates the plant into producing auxins which stimulate root growth. Like the synthetic hormones, those same overdosing issues exist, but on two layers - one is the effects of excessive auxins, the other is that large trace element doses can kill a plant. The one thing that prevents me from using it is the toxicity of the molybdenum, and the fact that treated plants are immediately toxic to birds and mammals, so any chewing critters, like cats, puppies, and grandkids, are in danger.

The Kelpak “Dusty” mentioned is a unique kelp extract out of South Africa. It is loaded with all sorts of beneficial phytochemicals that, when administered, act sort-of like a “plant IV”, to boost the plant in many ways, including root growth.

It is perfectly safe to use, and has a long shelf life. You can search here for more info, but these are tickets might be of interest:

growth stimulants

comparing seaweed extracts

Kelpak
__________________
Ray Barkalow, Orchid Iconoclast
FIRSTRAYS.COM
Try Kelpak - you won't be sorry!

Last edited by Ray; 06-30-2022 at 09:36 AM..
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes epiphyteaddict, vanda2020 liked this post
  #5  
Old 06-30-2022, 09:52 AM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default

Thanks Ray. So should I use it in my weekly waterings or once a month?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-30-2022, 10:21 AM
WaterWitchin's Avatar
WaterWitchin WaterWitchin is offline
Administrator
 

Join Date: Feb 2011
Zone: 6a
Location: Kansas
Posts: 5,216
Default

I'd use KelpPak. Water with it, wait a week, water with it again, then go to once a month. That advice is based on what I do, and it appears to work for me.

Do you know how you're going to solve your overwatering problem? Do you think it was a problem with the medium you were using? Or just too often and heavy a hand with the water?
__________________
Caveat: Everything suggested is based on my environment and culture. Please adjust accordingly.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-30-2022, 10:44 AM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default

Gotcha. Thanks you! Yeah I fell I have a better handle on it. I have switched my watering pattern to now I only water when needed. I also only give them 2 ounces of water when I do water them. I also have put them in a clear pot with many drainage holes. Which has helped with airflow also.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-30-2022, 10:48 AM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default

For some reason I couldn’t attach the pictures with the post.
Attached Thumbnails
-cb3dd04e-396f-486a-a26d-4dc20c14c9c0-jpg   -89dd2cdd-9a5d-4271-b415-7f12ce0a04cb-jpg   -bca4f8a3-a343-43e3-945e-b02206955582-jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-30-2022, 02:36 PM
Ray's Avatar
Ray Ray is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2005
Member of:AOS
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,179
Male
Default

OK.

The most basic key to orchid growing is balancing air and water at the roots, but water is the true driving force for growth, so you don’t want to be stingy with it.

By growing in sphagnum moss, too wet may become suffocating and kill the roots. If you use a more open potting medium, you can water more with greater impunity, while still allowing the roots to “breathe”.
__________________
Ray Barkalow, Orchid Iconoclast
FIRSTRAYS.COM
Try Kelpak - you won't be sorry!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-30-2022, 02:47 PM
Xraymond Xraymond is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 9
Default

I’ve tried using bark and had the same results but felt like I was still over watering. I feel like now I can put a little at a time because the moss is going to soak it up and then add more when needed. But what would you suggest or what has worked best for you. I do see how people use a mixture of both bark and moss. I’m just trying to provide the best environment for my orchids.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes SADE2020 liked this post
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
forward, i’ve, moving, roots, superthrive


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:50 PM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.