SUPERthrive vitamins-hormones mix

[kavanaru]

I recently acquired a new Catasetum pileatum and a Cattleya mosiae for my collection at an Orchids show. It was from a Venezuelan nursery, and all their plants were brought without roots (cut off for transportation reasons). This should not affect too much the dormant Catasetum, but for the Cattleya, could be a problem, as currently it is not growing. The guy from the nursery suggested using a product from the USA (you cannot buy it in Europe) called SUPERthrive vitamins-hormones mix (vitamin B1, 1-Naphthyl acetic acid, and 25% dissolved “incognito” solids) together with CLONEX rooting Hormone gel (4-indol-3-ylbutiric acid / easy to obtain in Europe). I am always a bit skeptic with all products promising super growth, as it is the case with SUPERthrive (if you see the pictures in their homepage, it is almost like magic!). My questions to the experts: Does anyone of you have experience with these products in orchids culture? How do you use them and how safe are they? Can SUPERthrive be used with established orchids with each watering, as it is mentioned on their instructions, in order to improve their growth? The reason I ask all of this is because while searching the web, I also found one or two big European nurseries that use SUPERthrive when re-potting their plants: first watering after re-potting with SUPERthrive and Dyna-GRO K-L-N Rooting liquid, then they let the plants rest for a while, and then water normally without additives.


…and yes, I already have both products at home. The guy from the nursery gave me some.

[Tommyr]

Ahhh, the old Superthrive rears it's ugly head again!
Welcome. Superthrive to some of us is useless and to some is useful. I see it as "snake oil" myself.

Not needed.

[DebsC]

I used to use Superthrive but honestly, if there was a difference in the plants, I couldn't see one. It may do things or provide vitamins that orchids need, I don't know for sure. But the difference in plant health wasn't visible to my eyes.

I have no experience with the Clonex.

Good luck with your new plants!!!

[Ross]

I still have some "super-thrive" and see no benefit. It's not labelled as to active ingredients as is K-L-N. I can tell you from experience, that K-L-N used regularly at 2 drops per gallon pure water (along with whatever fertilizer of your choice) will induce roots. The key is keeping the plant from desiccating. I think I would soak the whole plant in the diluted K-L-N solution designated as the "Air Rooting" mix (1 tablespoon per gallon water) then water periodically with the 2 drops per gallon mix till roots form.

[Frdemetr]

Well, I have limited experience w Superthrieve, 'cause it's available but expensive in Brazil. I think it could help little seedlings or damaged plants but it's not miraculous. But B Complex (children solution, Bayer or Roche) is very useful (and cheaper!), I spray a very weak solution even in adult plants (1 drop/L), at least 1 time per week at the end of afternoon (B Complex is photosensitive); in small seedlings and damaged plants I use 2 to 5 drops/L, several times a week (don't forgoting the regular fertilizer) and...YES, it's make the difference!

[kavanaru]

hhhmmmm.... well, to be honest, I did not expect any answer à la "YEAH go for it and use it- it's miraculous!!" but at least, it is not that it will kill my plants… what I have read, is that it is not used as a substitute for fertilizer, but as a complement… It has indeed Vitamin B1, which should have an impact in the rooting process (as per Frederico’s message) and unfortunately K-L-N is not easily available here…

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve got some from this guy from Venezuela… and I had bought some CLONEX rooting Hormone gel… If it does not kill the plants, I will give it a try… why not? I’ll keep you all informed if it has any visible effect (good or bad )

…and thanks for the feedback!

[kavanaru]

Frederico, thanks also for the good tipp with Roche's vitamin B complex... I will give it a try too... if it works, I would forward the info to the marketing department rool:

[Undergrounder]

As far as i understand it it contains tracea mounts of auxins, hormones, that the colonex would contain anyway!

[Ray]

There are two widely-used synthetic rooting hormones - indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). One is better for inducing root initiation, the other enhances their growth. They both do both, but to varying degrees.

SuperThrive has one, K-L-N has both.

They are very powerful chemicals, so only a drop or two per gallon of fertilizer solution is effective. More has been shown to deformation of flowers (observed by me at 1 teaspoon per gallon on phals) and even stunted vegetative growth (anecdotal only).

Those chemicals, however, degrade rapidly if kept warm or exposed to light, so if you have a old bottle, or mix up a nutrient concentrate and meter it into your water supply, it's probably degraded and not doing anything.

Both products also contain vitamin B1, which also enhances root growth, but I know nothing about it's stability of effectiveness.

[Des]

If I have a plant that has lost its root system I give it a spray with captab , seal it in a plastic bag and hang it up in my shade house until it gets new roots . Works every time for me