Richard

I haven't said it doesn't work! I said the benefits are in the hormones.

Most of the retail nurseries, retail nursery chains, and retail garden departments in box stores and department stores that I'm familiar with do not fertilize their plants. It is the wholesale grower-supplier nursery that has fed them -- hopefully enough to sustain them long enough for the retail store to sell. If not, then the nursery manager at the store simply picks a product off their store shelf, marks it "spoiled" for accounting purposes, and then feeds any plants in need.

A grower-supplier (especially large internet seller) may give their plant a supplement of iron prior to shipping. You can find chelated iron supplements in most nursery stores (organic and inorganic versions) in powder and liquid forms. The best of the powders is the inorganic EDDHA chelate, the best of the liquids is the organic Iron chelated in wood sugars (typically labeled ligno-sulfate).

This begs the question of why use the product in the first place. It is not a fertilizer, it is a hormone supplement. If you want to supply your plants with nutrients, then first and foremost feed them a balanced complete fertilizer designed for its needs. If for some reason you then want to give it a hormone boost, then the Superthrive formulation contains the correct balance to stimulate the plant without shutting off the hormonal signals. As with any plant supplement, follow the directions because as I previously stated you can overstimulate the plant to the point of death.

For professional and agricultural growers, they will take two different approaches.

• An ornamental plant grower-supplier will use a hormone supplement that regulates growth, particularly to shorten inter-nodal lengths in shoots. These are widely used in ornamental horticulture along with systemic pesticides from the plug stage on up -- this is why you should be careful not to purchase an edible herb from the ornamental plant section of a retail nursery. Typically, the grower-supplied tag on the plant will say "not for human consumption".
• The growers of agricultural crops are more often interested in growth enhancement. Seaweed extract is commonly used both for transplanting and enhancement of budding on some fruit crops (Avocados and tomatoes for example). Superthrive itself is the analog of an agricultural product called BioCozyme which has an NPK rating of 2-2-2 (not to be confused with hydroponic versions). Beyond that, there are hormonal "cocktails" that a specific grower contracts with a fertilizer manufacturer to make for their crop which are essentially trade secrets. You will not find them advertised or for sale anywhere. Further, they are way beyond the scope and budget of most homeowners.

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Dalmatiansoap

many better ways to use your money I say

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sunfish

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Richard

Geez, maybe I should raise the wholesale price of my 25-lb bags of mycorrhizae by 100-fold and start offering bank financing.

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oakshadows

IAA is a growth regulator and is used the same as Thrive, to stimulate the root growth. The one you maybe thinking of is the one used in agent orange. IAA is recognized as beening safe and is used by many growers. It is also expensive but a little goes a long way and is much less costly than Thrive. Do some googleing and see if it is for you. Good luck.

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HoaNui

Non-the-less it is still thought to cause cancer. I think I'll stay clear of agent orange.

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Richard

HuaNui, I believe you have confused two Auxins.

IBA (3-Indole Butyric Acid ) is commonly used in root stimulants. Its use on edible crops is outlawed. For example, check out most jars of "rooting gel" and you'll find (a) they contain IAB and (b) there is a warning label not to use on plants grown for human consumption. It has been linked to cancer in mammals.

IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) is a plant growth regulator. It is commonly used to reduce inter-node lengths on shoots; i.e., produce more compact plants. Repeated studies have shown that it is not carcinogenic -- in fact it is the study of anti-cancer research. For example: http://ostein.com.ne.kr/pubs/FEBS.pdf

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gaberoo

I actually was looking for any help (Superthrive in this case) in protecting my plants from the occasional upper 20's we have experienced in the last two or three years in South Florida (specially my newly planted stuff which might well survive once established, but could fare poorly when new). A landscaper told me about Superthrive. But if I can get the same results spending a lot less...I'm all for that!

gaberoo

I read (somewhere) or was told that Superthrive would protect the plants (make them hardier down to one zone: so instead of tolerating cold from a 9 zone, the plants would be hardier down to an 8 zone).
I had several plants/trees die on me during one of these cold snaps (one of them being a 6 foot neem tree). I'd like to prevent that from happening again.
How Superthrive supposedly does this I do not know. Does it help the plants become established quicker by helping develop the root system? Is this the mechanism?

Richard

I've never heard such a claim about any product.

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HoaNui

I would think that a general change in DNA would be needed along with a restructure and re-run of evolution for this to happen.

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gaberoo

Then I must have heard wrong (or maybe it was another product...I know I did look at products that might be able to do this). I'm sorry if I was mistaken...I did not want to lead anyone in the forum the wrong way.

In any case, I guess there is no product that offers greater cold resistance to plants.

gaberoo

SuperThrive

Actually, I did find some reference to this "cold protection" given by using SuperThrive (whether it really works or not I do not know...).



Companion Plants
Cannas


Palms and plants can sometimes go through a rough stretch that causes stress and shock to the plant. The most common of these stresses is transplanting and harsh weather conditions. Now it's time to reach for the bottle.

The bottle of Superthrive that is, it is an amazing product that revitalizes the plant even in the worst conditions. We have used Superthrive for the last ten years when digging up palms and moving to a new location. It has worked every time and it's easy to use.

Palm Shock Treatment

This works well for transplant and winter recovery.

Here is what you need to do:

Buy a bottle of Superthrive ( about $7.- )

In a clean 5 gallon bucket, mix two capfuls of Superthrive and fill with water. In a different clean bucket, drill a 3/16" hole on one side of the bottom of a bucket and fill the bucket with 1/2 of the Superthrive mixture. Set the bucket next to the tree and let it drain. After it has drained, repeat the process on the other side of the tree. This technique reduces run off. Do this again every 2 weeks through the summer. This should save the tree.

For trees in containers or under 5 feet overall height, reduce the treatment by half.



Apple a Day

Normal watering with Superthrive can be done at any time by adding 1 to 2 drops to a gallon of water. You will see a faster growth rate and a healthier plant.



Superthrive is NOT a fertilizer! You need to keep your fertilizing regimen going along with the Superthrive.

Lutz Palm Tree Fertilizer Spikes



Palm Watering:

This is for a palm of 6 feet of height, adjust down to half or less for smaller palms:

We give the Palm 4 gallons of water a week spread over 3 days when temps are under 70º, 4 gallons at twice a week with temps over 70º under 85º, and 4 gallons every other day for temps above 85º. Remember that rain counts.

The best way to water is slowly, if your soil can't absorb the water at the rate your watering then you're just wasting water. I like the automatic drip systems. They irrigate at a very slow rate and you don't have to remember to water.

Palm Fertilizing:

Palms need to be fertilized at least for the first three years they are put into a landscape just like any other plant. Here is what we suggest:

Lutz Palm Tree Fertilizer Spikes work very well supplying the micronutrients that palms require for a healthy start in your landscape. We sell these and they are very easy to apply, driving them into the ground with a hammer. We call this guy gardening.

There are some granulated fertilizers available in the area but none better than the Lutz spikes. Do not use "Whitney Farms Palm Food", it does not have the micronutrients that palms need.

Palms in pots or containers need to be fertilized twice a year for as long as they are in the pots.

Please contact me with any questions you may have

Ric Banchero Ric@palmsnorthwest.com

Copyright 2011 This site designed and maintained by Ric & Delight Banchero

gaberoo

And here is another mention of Superthrive being used for cold protection (from another palm grower...it must work for them).
Steve Stern
Exotic Palms
25000 S.W. 152 Avenue
Miami, FL 33157
305-246-3125
rarepalm@bellsouth.com
Exotic Palms: Home
RED SEALING WAX PALM (Cyrtostachys Renda)
So named because a red wax was obtained by boiling down the red petioles which was then used by nobility for imprinting a seal on documents and letters.
This palm requires very specific care for it to do well in Florida.
Do not under any circumstances plant this palm before the beginning of April.
This palm, while in a container, must be kept protected from cold weather. When the temperature is going to be below 48 degrees, bring the palm in. If this is not possible, push the palm up against the house, well protected from cold wind, wrap the post with a blanket or heating pad or use a halogen light as a heat source.
You must, must use fungicide.
During the winter, you must spray the palm with a Mancozeb based fungicide once a month in December, January, February and March. Make certain that you fully saturate the base of the palm making certain it gets down into the leaf sheaths and all the small suckers, as well as the soil itself. It is best to spray when the outside temperature is below 70 degrees.
(Red Sealing Wax palms are susceptible to a cold weather fungus that is easily controlled by this spraying).
ECOSANE, SUPERTHRIVE & MANCOZEB
According to DeArmand Hull of the Dade County Extension Service, Ecosane, when sprayed on plants once a month, improves their cold hardiness considerably. It appears to be a wonderful product for all your plants, but especially Red Sealing Wax. Ecosane is exceptionally difficult to locate. As a substitute, “Superthrive” is excellent and is available at better garden centers. Mancozeb fungicide is available at Ace Hardware and also at Galloway Nurseries on Galloway Road (87th Avenue) and Sunset Drive under the trade name Dithane. Ecosane is available at a little nursery on 97th Avenue, jus north of Sunset Drive, called Earnesto’s Good Earth.
These palms love filtered light or light morning sun. They also need plenty of water. Water 3 – 4 times a week. Use Miracle Grow fertilizer, in a light application, twice a month wetting the leaves as well as drenching the soil. Every now and then use in addition, but not during the same week, Miracid Fertilizer.
MANCOZEB IS THE SAME AS DITHANE

Richard

Miami FL is in USDA cold hardiness zone 10b, a near-tropic zone. Assisting palms there with the "cold" is very different from assisting plants in a zone where it freezes regularly.

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gaberoo

I agree. But the context I was using (in my particular case) is to protect other plants (heliconias, neem, bananas, etc.) from temps that had dipped into the upper 20's. Remembering this a bit more clearly, it was when a bright, young landscape architect (and owner of a successful landscaping business) took a look at my yard (this was after a few episodes of temps into the upper 20s and lower 30s) and made a few comments regarding what to do to protect the plants from cold. One of the tips was to use Superthrive (the first time I'd ever heard the product mentioned...he was the one who mentioned that some nurseries used it to "guarantee" their plants). I never verified whether nurseries actually do this (and there must be some that do) nor whether this is a widespread practice (from your comments Richard, apparently it is not).
Before buying it however, I remember having searched to see what other people who've used it (use it) say about their experience (including some people in a hydroponics forum) with Superthrive and it had been, for the most part, positive...so I went ahead and bought some.
That said, I'm always open to try new things (products, methods, etc), specially if they save me money, and I'm very grateful to read all of your comments/input on these (and other matters).
So I now have a few more things I can try out (less expensive auxins, chelated iron, etc). I also know not to go crazy with the Superthrive (I did not know that overuse of it could cause defoliation and plant exhaustion/death).
Thanks again for your patience. I have a few more questions (regarding other topics) so maybe I should learn (relearn) how to post a new topic.

gaberoo

Oh...forgot...I did come across some product called FreezePruf (or something like that), but could not find enough comments (regarding whether it actually works) for me to take a chance and buy it.

sunfish