Root boost: What brand & where can I buy it? - Orchid Board

KHaze · #1 03-27-2010, 10:07 AM

People have suggested that I use root boost to help my poor phal grow some new roots.

I called the only real garden center that we have around here and they don't carry anything like that.

Is there are brand name I should be looking for? Would Lowes or Home Depot carry? I'll have to order it on line if they don't.

Also, they were talking about seaweed fertilizer...what is that?...and is there a preferred brand that I should be looking for?

tuvoc · #2 03-27-2010, 10:25 AM

I use Superthrive, which is available almost everywhere. Seaweed is an organic fertilizer made from, well, seaweed. I've never used it, so I can't help you there.

Kim

trdyl · #3 03-27-2010, 11:08 AM

I use Superthrive as well. I have gotten it from Lowes and Walmart before.

Ray · #4 03-27-2010, 11:08 AM

Another brand is Dyna-Gro K-L-N.

The things to look for are that 1) they contain naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and/or indole butyric acid (IBA) (as they are the most common and effective synthetic rooting hormones), and possibly vitamin B1, AND 2) that they be in solution. The powdered hormones are too strong for use on orchids and tend not to be water soluble, so cannot be diluted.

chilipep305 · #5 08-29-2015, 02:48 PM

I bought Root Boost by Garden Tech. Is it good for Orchids?

---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:40 PM ----------

Not sure I'm doing this posting thing right. I already dusted the few remaining roots on a dying phal with the R B. Yikes. I didn't know it had to be liquid. I'll look for something else. Thanks. Still learning.

Ray · #6 08-29-2015, 04:45 PM

After many years of researching the various products out there, I found a kelp extract out of South Africa that is by far the best thing out there. It took me about 18 months of nagging the manufacturer before I could get the stuff, which I sell as "KelpMax".

SoCalOrchidGirl · #7 08-29-2015, 05:45 PM

I have bought KelpMax from Ray and I have to say that it works!! Any orchid I sprayed with KelpMax is growing numerous roots. The only orchids that seemed like it's not really responding are my phals.

chilipep305 · #8 08-29-2015, 08:53 PM

The Boost has IBA. I'll wait and see. I bought it at aour local Best Hardware. Pompano Beach. Thanks so much for all the good advice I've been reading.

AnonYMouse · #9 08-29-2015, 09:54 PM

Try hydroponics stores for seaweed/kelp supplements. They generally have a better selection than garden centers and BBS.

Joseia · #10 08-30-2015, 05:34 PM

I've been using Ray's KelpMax and I have definitely seen a big boost in root growth since using it.

---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Another brand is Dyna-Gro K-L-N.

The things to look for are that 1) they contain naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and/or indole butyric acid (IBA) (as they are the most common and effective synthetic rooting hormones), and possibly vitamin B1, AND 2) that they be in solution. The powdered hormones are too strong for use on orchids and tend not to be water soluble, so cannot be diluted.

I've been using the KLN product you mention on my African Violets (and other house plants) and have seen an increase in the development of multiple crowns in the AVs. Do you think the hormones you mention in this post could be responsible for that? I've checked various AV forums online and a lot of people recommend using the KLN without mention of this problem, but I can't help but keep wondering. Would love to hear comments on this from other AV growers.