Using Superthrive?

[reefed419]

So how many of you use Superthrive? If you do use the product, how often, what time of year, and what strength are you using? I use the product on my vegetable clones in the cloning and small root days, once root strand was about 6" long I would plant and no longer use.

I am curious how many people use it for bonsai and root health?

 

[edprocoat]

I think Al, (Smoke) may be the biggest SUPERTHRIVE! aficionado here at B-Nut. Maybe he will weigh in with some personal anecdotes on his love of SUPERTHRIVE!....

ed

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Somewhere, in a dark, cold alley, a can of worms is slowly pried open.

 

[Shima]

Somewhere, in a dark, cold alley, a can of worms is slowly pried open.

A dog barks, the caravan continues across the endless desert.

 

[reefed419]

Smoke where you at? Need that Superthrive Info!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Smoke where you at? Need that Superthrive Info!

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...ve-real-deal-or-snake-oil&p=154972#post154972

 

[sorce]

A dog barks, the caravan continues across the endless desert.

In search of a pink thong, where sarcasm goes unnoticed...

 

[sorce]

I call it a reverse placebo.

Using it makes you think the hype is true. So you don't tend to actual needs. And the tree dies.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

I call it a reverse placebo.

Using it makes you think the hype is true. So you don't tend to actual needs. And the tree dies.

Sorce

 

[Derek91]

Superthrive Is pretty cheap because You use very little use each time and a bottle lasts a while. I can't say that I can honestly see a big difference when using it but I can tell u that it's never hurt anything to my knowledge.its basically just vitamins and hormones. Because it's cheap and I feel like it can't hurt, I treat it like that old hot sauce commercial "I put that shit on everything".it could be a waist but it's been out for over 50 years and the debate still goes on. $12 for a whole season seems worth it to me. Unless it's proven to actually do harm I'll probably keep using it.

 

[FromSeed]

Somewhere, in a dark, cold alley, a can of worms is slowly pried open.

This. I want more of this.

 

[coh]

If the purpose of this thread is just to find out who is using superthrive and how they use it (as opposed to solving the eternal riddle as to whether it actually has any benefits), I'll weigh in. I use it often when repotting, especially for nursery stock or collected stock that has undergone major root reduction. Also when a tree is stressed. I just put a few drops in a gallon of water. I don't use it as a part of my regular watering routine.

So why do I use it, since I've never seen any actual scientific evidence that it works?

1) Bill Valavanis recommends it (and I'm pretty sure he applies it every time he fertilizes, hopefully he'll correct me if I'm wrong). He has pretty good, healthy trees.

2) Other local club members whose work I respect also use it.

3) I found a very cheap bottle at an end of season sale a couple of years ago and figured why not give it a try.

Not sure what I'll do when the bottle runs out.

Chris

 

[reefed419]

Thanks for the replies. I am not trying to start the debate of does it work or not, Everyone has their own way of caring for trees. I am just wondering if you do use it. How much and when do you apply? Lets keep the thread on track...

 

[Derek91]

I don't go as far as using it every time I water but I would say most my trees/plants (not only my bonsai)get a dose of super thrive 5-6 times a year.about a half a cap full per three gallon water can that I use.sometimes I'll use a stronger dose on my trees that are in the ground.I use it when ever i work with a tree in any way. other than that I'm not real consistent with when I use it. about once a month I'll run around the yard when everything is caught up and give most if not all my trees a dose.

 

[sikadelic]

I use it in a similar fashion to coh. When repotting I will soak my tree while preparing the new pot. I bought it before I heard the rumors dispelling its effectiveness.

I can't comment on how well it works because its all I know so far.

 

[wireme]

I've been told by a few landscrapers that its amazing for transplant shock and that I'm crazy not to use it.

Never used it, got no problems with crazy.

 

[edprocoat]

I use it whenever I transplant, or when I do major work. I believe it soothes the tree getting a good dose of nutrients and vitamins while being abused. I have never had one die from it . I also once a month or so mix up a heavy dose and spray it all over my plants foilage and soil giving them a good soaking just to piss off the mites ....

ed

 

[63pmp]

I've never used superthrive so I can't vouch for it's effectiveness. Strikes me that to keep using something that doesn't do anything, because it hasn't hurt anything, is a little dumb.

When I repot I feed my plants pottassium at 35 mg/l and phosphorus at 8 mg/l because thee are the elements needed for plant health. I then add magnesium and calcium as buds become active and no N til about 4 weeks after bud burst. I rarely have anythibg die.

Plants are very good at looking after their own hormones, they just need the right elements at the right time.

Paul

 

[carp]

its predominately vitamin B and iron....so if your plant likes those things, it responds to having that extra boost.
or you could just feed your plant what it wants to begin with and not worry about adding it to your regiment.
from my personal experience, i've seen it make absolutely no difference.
just my two cents.

 

[Derek91]

I've never used superthrive so I can't vouch for it's effectiveness. Strikes me that to keep using something that doesn't do anything, because it hasn't hurt anything, is a little dumb.

Paul

So all the people that use superthrive are dumb? Ok ..Dum dee dumb ..It's 12 bucks man, It only takes minutes to mix/use and If you used it for repotting only that little bottle would last years. There are thousands of people out there says it helps the trees recover from transplant shock among many other things.I'll say it again "it can't hurt" and there's a ton of feedback that says it helps. With what little effort and cost why not? One day It might just be a boost one of your tree needs to make it through a repot. Kinda hard to prove either way but I doubt very seriously it does nothing.