Effect of Kelp Extract on New Growths

[Mapp]

Hi there,

After a long period of being plantless (for various reasons), I've decided to get back into orchids. This current attempt I'm taking a bit more seriously than the last and while I'm climbing my way back up the learning curve I have quite a few questions.

Many of the questions I have will simply have to be answered through experience, and others have been discussed extensively and will just require a bit of reading on my part—I'll try to avoid cluttering the forum with those

One think I am wondering about that I haven't been able to find any information on is the effect of kelp extract (particularly auxin-heavy formulations, like Kelpmax) on new, emerging growths. Auxins (to my understanding) induce new root growth and promote branching of the existing root system, but they also have the effect of suppressing vegetative growth.

I have a mini-cattleya with two new growths. One is quite advanced and is just starting to put out new roots while the other is about two months behind it and still a relatively small nubbin. I've had huge success with using Kelpmax on another, basically rootless cattleya and I figure it would be wise to use it on this one just as the new roots emerge to 'help it along', so to speak. However, I'm concerned about the auxins stunting the newer growth in favor of producing new roots. Does this class of hormones have any effect on existing, already growing shoots, or is it more a regulator of when dormant eyes will start to sprout?

Thanks for your time and apologies for the paragraphs,

Matt