Since we've had some recent talk of deformed blooms, I (and a few others I think) thought it would be interesting to discuss the pros and cons of using Superthrive.

So, do you use it? How much, how often? Any problems?

I use a drop per 8 liters, when I fertilize at every other watering, so a VERY small amount. So far I haven't had any issues, however, nor have I noticed anything super special going on.

Curious to hear other's experiences!

Hello all, I used Superthrive faithfully for about two years one drop per gallon which is weak but people I knew said to use it that way. I never had any funny looking flowers but I ran out a year ago and decided to try without it and I really don't see any difference. I am using Jerry's grow now for about six months and I do see a difference. plants just look healthier. Ray

I switched fertilizer at the same time I started using it...so I can't really say. They are much healthier now, but I think it's more of my fert/culture changes than anything else.

I've always used it at 1 drop per gallon. I can't prove any results but I do like the label on the bottle... :)

I've been using it since last July. 1 ml/gallon twice a month. I have really noticed a difference in the number and vigor of phal roots. Unfortunatly it doesn't seem to have as good an effect on paph roots. I still use it regardless.

I dont' use it on plants in bud. I read on the AOS forum (before is started to suck) that people suspect it casues bud blast. I've had a few suspecious bud blasts (both paphs and phals). The only thing I can attribute it to is SuperThrive.

I'm affraid to use it on plants with seed capsules. Has anyone done so?

Kyle

Why bother with Superthrive? My local garden center (crappy to begin with..) sells this stuff for about $7 /liter...same active ingredients as superthrive, just diluted...1 tspn/gal....cheaper for sure, especially as I use it the same way I used Superthrive, only when I repot. If this stuff is available from a mediocre local garden center, then similar things are available anywhere. Not that I believe the stuff is so great anyway.....I really use it for my own psychological benefit. Take care, Eric

I have seen superthrive cause flower deformation at excessive rates.

It will typically cause petals to bend too far back when opening.

I don't have much time to post about this, but when you mess with hormones that is what you get. The plants produce their own hormones in their own amounts, and like fertilizer, more isn't better. They can be used to influence certain types of growth, but they are not an energy form, and in high doses they are a highly effective herbicide.

I've been using 1/4 tsp of ST per gal. with my weekly fertilzing. For a year or so I just used a drop per gal, but I've been using the higher dose for at least 1 year (maybe two now). I'd say most of my results are pretty good though they may have nothing to do with ST. I've only had 1 deformed flower, and a few blasts. I've pulled through a fair number of mangy plants that I probably would have lost 4 years ago. To speculate a bit more, it may be pushing some of my plants to bloom outside of their normal or usual season. Some of them get held in early bract for months, and those are the ones that seem to have problems.

To speculate further. Our fertilizer mixs are gernerally inorganic salts, and much of our potting mixes are comparitively low in humic and decomposing organic materials. In the wild mosses, fungi, and decomposing plant material would supply a wide range of organic substances to the plants, which may be similar in composition to ST.????

I want to add that at the rate I use ST it drops the pH of the fert mix to less than 4 s.u. If you don't readjust the pH you will have selective and poor uptake of the metals (including Ca, and Mg) from your fert. mix. This can be as good a reason for weird flowers as the ST itself.

What pH are you adjusting your water to?

6.5 - 7.5. Depending on my mood on that day. That's only the fertilizing mixture. I don't generally check or adjust my water for regular misting/flushing/watering, which is RO type water. I have on occasion spiked some water with magox (to a pH of 9) to see if my roth's would appreciate something that simulated serpentine conditions. They did green up good in the short term, but I didn't keep up with it long enough to make any reasonable conclusions.

I have on occasion spiked some water with magox (to a pH of 9) to see if my roth's would appreciate something that simulated serpentine conditions. They did green up good in the short term, but I didn't keep up with it long enough to make any reasonable conclusions.

I think you guys are aware I've no idea of my tap water pH, However, I have a meter on the way, finally. That said, this comment of Rick's interested me because my roth is VERY light in color, which I had always assumed was from it receiving very bright light levels, since it arrived that way, as many of my plants from this vendor have. However, it has lightened even more in my possession and Rick's comment, as well as one from Terp, has me thinking that there may be a nutrient deficiancy going on. Is it possible that raising the pH could assist my roth? I also have both forms of the MSU fertilizer on the way, from Ray's, so I should know a lot more about what's going on w/ my water very soon! :joy:

I'd measure your pH before I started changing things. You appear to be having some pretty good success as is.

I looked into what makes serpentine geology so special. It is a volcanic geology primarily composed of magnesium silicate hydroxides. Leachates from this material are very basic (pH in excess of 9). Also note it is low in calcium. Plant communities in serpentine based areas show a high rate of species endenism.

The solubility and toxicity of metals varies drastically with pH and the type of metal. But extreme pH regimes are not very common in nature, so its often safer in a mixed orchid collection to work around the neutral pH range.

I'd measure your pH before I started changing things. You appear to be having some pretty good success as is.

I'm sure looking forward to finally KNOWING! Sigh....tired of uncertainty about this issue...

Oh, and by the way, I hate the smell! BLECH! :jealous:

At least it tastes better than that SPAM jelly you're using on your seedlings.

:roll: