The Superthrive Test

[Oldguypops]

After all the discussion of whether SUPERthrive works or doesn't: , I decided to put it to a real test.
Instead of using 2 similar full sized plants, I have 3 pairs of identical seedlings that are going to be put to the test. By using three on each side, I eliminate the possibility of one bad plant spoiling the test.
They are:
2 - BLC richard muller x Cattleya landate #4
2 - SLC kauai 'Starbright'
2 - SLC ploenpit fantasy serm AM/CST

All six seedlings get the same fertilizing, watering, and light, but three of them get SUPERthrive as directed every watering.
I am going to keep up this cycle until they are full grown and flowering, and will update their progress to the Orchid Board. (The test started on 1-14-08)

Any suggestions to enhance this test are welcome.

Chris

[nenella]

Nice idea Chris I look forward to reading & seeing your results in the future.

[cb977]

Hi Chris

Experiments and their results are always interesting...but...we all need to keep in mind that environmental conditions play a key part in the health of our 'chids. While your results will tell if Superthrive worked for your plants in your conditions, it will not necessarily answer the question of whether it will or will not work for everybody.

I use it and I think it works...for me. Others have tried it and saw no differences...for them.

I'd still be interested in seeing how it works for you

[FL_GROWER82]

I agree with Susanne. I think that this is something that deserves some examination...and I too will look forward to seeing the results.

[quiltergal]

It would make a better study if all six plants were identical. That way you eliminate genetic difficuties in blooming/thriving. Some may be easier to grow than others and you won't be able to tell if it's the Superthrive or just the plant.

[Frdemetr]

Chris,

The idea is good, but from a scientific point of view your test is not valid; for sure you need a far great number of plants (to reach "statiscal significance") and, essentially, the conditions need to be "blind", ie, you may not know which group is receiving or not the SuperThrieve! (unconsciously you could bias the results). You could ask a friend to prepare the solutions with and without ST, and use letters ("a" and "b") for the experimental groups of orchids.

Anyway, a very interesting test! I think (in my conditions) ST works, but is far from a "miraculous" product!

[Oldguypops]

While not a perfect scientific study, I would think that it would give an indication of whether or not a product is as effective as they claim with normal consumer use. (For any of you that know me, I am in no way claiming that I am normal!! )
I am using identical plants (sisters) in identical conditions. One just gets ST in it's water and the other doesn't. I don't believe in this case it is necessary to do it 'blind', because I have no bias either way. I'm just curious, and since I had the seedlings, thought it would be fun to try it.

Thanks for the input. We'll see what happens over the next year or so.

Chris

[kavanaru]

Hi Chris, I agree with you, this is not pretending at any point to be a scientific experiment, but just to give a hint whether ST has an effect or not. Of course, you are missing there the statistical significance, as your sample is really too small, however, if you keep them all under the same conditions, you are minimizing bias due to environmental influence. genetic variations... hhmmm... of course you will have them, this is not to be avoided, not even using clones (same genetic pool can be express differently depending on environmental effect: identical genetic twins are never phenotipically identical) you only need one plant to be ill once, and then the genes can be expressed or suppresed. As per blinding... this is not necessary in this case, and is normally also not normally done in this kind of test. After 8 years working in the lab and performing "real" scientific experiments, I can tell you that in most of the cases you never have this blinding - is different in Medical research, my current field of work, where you normally need blinding/double blinding due to ethical reasons and to minimize placebo effect (your plants will not show placebo effect at all )

so, go for it, and publish your results here I would be llooking forward for those results they will not be a definitive answer to the question but they will be just a result supporting or denying the hypotesis... keep on it

[Gin]

Interesting , I hope the Mueller X are not the ones getting the ST. they are naturally faster growing ,sturdier plants . Gin

[Grandma M]

Keep us posted. I will be very interested in the results. THANKS