Rooting Hormones - the good and bad - Orchid Board

Sandy4453 · #1 03-15-2009, 09:07 AM

Aside from the benefits, what are the risks or adverse effects to be found from using too much rooting hormones, such as SuperThrive or KLN? 2 drops per gallon vs. more than and, the frequency in it's use? For one, would it/could it cause root burns or, mutant growths? Should this be used regularly? Once in a while? During particular growth cycles? Has anyone really seen a difference by using it, negative or positive?

Beverly · #2 03-15-2009, 09:20 AM

I just used it for the first time, this past week. I soaked potting medium in it. I hope it helps my plants. I repotted a couple of catt. types and Yesterday I had to do emergency repotting on a
Dialc. exotic pixie that was growing out of its pot.
I followed the directions given by firstrays.com.
I also did spag and bag with 3 or 4 pbulbs.
I will give update on the progress. This is my favorite plant.
Beverly

BikerDoc5968 · #3 03-15-2009, 09:20 AM

Good question, Sandy. While I have no knowledgeable answer, I have a feeling all of the above are possible. I have been using both SuperThrive and Hormex. Hormex is very similar to KLN. I have been using them as directed and have noticed some of my Phals not producing large clusters of flowers and some are deformed as the pattern on the petels is off and I suspect some root burn because some phals that were growing just fine are getting wilted leaves and when I inspect... I'm finding roots that were good are not so good!

So, I think these types of products are good, but must be used on a limited basis and for specific reasons like to stimulate an otherwise compromised plant into rooting.

I no longer just "add" it to my watering cycle.

Bob2741 · #4 03-15-2009, 01:12 PM

Sandy I use KlN and Clonex I don't find one outdoes the other. I use it a little stronger by 2 drops per gallon as a soak when I have bare rooted and trimmed the roots of the plant in prep for s/h I do believe it works.
I tried an experment several months ago on a Cat division using the clonex. After prep I soaked one for 6 or 7 hours the other went in to s/h with out the soak, both were placed on the heat pad for 3 weeks the one I used clonex on started showing root growth in about 6 days the other took about 14 days to get anything going.
Ive never had a problem with mutations or bloom growth but I only use it once. In a case where I might use again to get a little boost I will use the alternate product.

Amanda L · #5 03-15-2009, 01:22 PM

Good question and definitely something to ponder!!! I use SuperThrive during every watering and misting daily. I haven't noticed anything odd. I have only observed some tremendous root growth and 2 phals with new leaves. My roots appear fine, no burn. I don't have any flowers yet, after using it. But, this is probably due to the fact they have all just finished flowering. I swear by the stuff for distressed plants. I have brought back 4 dens on the brink of death. They started growing canes all over the place and an abundance of new roots, where they had none before.

Given the possibility of burns and deformed flowers, I will definitely consider using it less often for the plants that are healthy.

Brooke · #6 03-15-2009, 07:37 PM

Sandy I use Super Thrive each and every watering if I am fertilizing, not flushing. I use 4 or 5 drops per gallon. I've never noticed any problems with roots or blooms or anything unusual.

If I soak a plant when repotting or upon receipt of a plant through the mail, I use more in the soak water. I don't measure the amount, it is just enough to make the water darker.

When I unflask seedlings, the first couple of waterings are with ST with no fertlizer.

I first used it when I did bonsai and have never grown an orchid without it being added to my fertilizer water.

Brooke

Cookiemonster · #7 03-15-2009, 08:54 PM

I have been using KLN since May- I have not noticed any deformations in flowering or growth, this just sort of speeds everything up.
At one point I used it in too high of a dose and it showed, i got some root burn- but now its 1/4 tsp or less a week, just to keep things moving, so far they are all doing great. If I notice anything I shall let you know!
I have used superthrive and it never really did anything for me, so I stick with kln in low amounts

Sandy4453 · #8 03-15-2009, 10:18 PM

Thanks for your comments, all very interesting.

Thanks Beverly. Good luck with your Dialc. exotic pixie! Yes, please post updates on it's progress.

Cookiemonster, good luck. I'll be interested to read your comments when you note your progress.

Very interesting Bob. When I first started using the hormones, it was to stimulate root growth, like in your experiment. It's been over the past couple of years that it's become an almost weekly routine and I don't remember why I shifted in my thinking and why it became routine.

Doc, I've been suspecting the same thing about root burn and only with my Phals. but there's really no way of my knowing if this was the cause. It'll take some time with the newer ones in my collection and withholding hormones, to see anything conclusive or, not.

Brooke, aside from soaking before repotting, have you seen beneficial evidence of any kind by using ST continuously? I use it about every other watering (about 1/4 tspn/gallon) and I'm a weekly fertilizer too except for a monthly flush. Why do you use it every watering? What do you know that I want to know?

Amanda, I don't know if the hormones do cause root burn or any deformities. These are just nagging questions that keep popping up in my head about the stuff. Have you wondered if the success you've had with it could be contributed to good culture and the fertilizers you may be using?

gixrj18 · #9 03-15-2009, 11:41 PM

Take what you will from this, but I was told by a commercial orchid grower not to use Superthrive...I guess it's such a strong concentrate, that long-term buildup can have adverse effects. KLN is great, but he said it works best during the winter, in conjunction with a blossom booster (or low-nitrogen fertilizer). This way, the plant concentrates 100% on it's root system during the winter. Then, in the spring, you switch up to 20-20-20 and the plant explodes with growth. The moral of the story is, I guess the KLN is more effective when used with a high P-K number....save the N for active growth season. I've used this method for about two years now, and I get wonderful results. I also open a capsule of 50mg Vitamin B-complex in my fertilizer, you can't go wrong with that.

Brooke · #10 03-16-2009, 08:13 AM

Beneficial evidence? How can I point to anything beneficial if my orchids grow and bloom very well for me using it all the time. I can point to none of the "reported" problems of root burn, deformed flowers wilting flowers, short lived blooms, etc.

For all I know, my orchids might grow and bloom just as well if I did nothing but water them. I use MSU fertilizer for pure water, never use a bloom booster since there is no MSU formulation for pure, have KLN but haven't even opened the bottle yet.

I grow orchids in various media - sphag/tree fern, Prime Agra, bark, CHC mix, s/h plus lots of mounts. The bulk of my orchids would be Phals, Catts, Phrags, Paphs, Lycaste plus lots of other things I can't resist

They grow and bloom when they are supposed to so figure they must be happy.

I can't say the ST is the magic bullet - it probably isn't but I use it and I'm happy with my 'chids since they appear happy.

Brooke