Seaweed Exract Query

[PaulB]

After reading some posts here about Seaweed Extract, I purchased some a couple of months ago. The product I got is made by Growmore®. Nothing on the label says anything about being an orchid fertilizer, but following some of the poorly written directions for use, I used a fairly weak solution on a few of my Phals. I also used it on some other potted plants that looked like they were phasing out for the season and those in particular have sprung right back with new leaves and flowers. The Phals also seem to have gotten a spurt of growth.

I'm just not sure about the product being a substitute or use in conjunction with regular "orchid" fertilizers. I know in its own environment, Kelp will grow a foot a day, for whatever that's worth.

Does anyone have experience with it they can share?

[rcb]

Yes, it is not a fertilzer. I use it periodically with my fertilizer.

[E-Jag]

I have read numerous posts extolling the use of liquid seaweed. I'm going to try this shortly. It sounds as though something of the sort has worked for you. I hope someone who has tried this for awhile chimes in.

[11Orchid126]

I've used seaweed for ten years and swear by it. No, it isn't a fertilizer, but it is a tonic loaded with micronutrients and other good things. I use it once a month in addition to the fertilizer. I use it a tablespoon to a gallon of fertilizer water, or plain water, whatever I need at the time. I see a difference in the plants if I don't use it.

[BGGraham1]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

I've used seaweed for ten years and swear by it. No, it isn't a fertilizer, but it is a tonic loaded with micronutrients and other good things. I use it once a month in addition to the fertilizer. I use it a tablespoon to a gallon of fertilizer water, or plain water, whatever I need at the time. I see a difference in the plants if I don't use it.

I've used it for about 4 months. The orchids I had before I got it were slowly growing roots and new leaves. When I added the seaweed extract to the regimen they went bananas! Especially the Phals...roots and new leaves growing like gangbusters! I add 1 oz per gallon of fertilizer water in my hudson sprayer once a month.

Oh, and when I have one that has no roots, I use the seaweed extract, KLN and water as a soak for a day or so, then I pot it up. New roots growing on almost everybody!

[E-Jag]

I've gotta ask - is there a difference between liquid seaweed and seaweed extract?

[1joyceh]

the growmore has chelated minerals, more readily absorbed by the plant. it also contains cytokinins, good for roots.

[Ray]

I was doing some reading, and in order of quality of the ingredients, it seems that "enzyme extracted" is better than "cold pressed", which is better than one that was cooked down.

All I have ever seen is cold pressed.

[1joyceh]

I believe Ray, that "Maxicrop" is one, extracted from Norwegian seaweed, a soluble powder...OMRI listed

[PaulB]

Thanks, all!
In looking at the NPK, it's a pretty low dose, so I was wondering what else it may have in it. The label doesn't quite cut it. Norwegian Kelp doesn't say anything to me at this point.
Thanks, 11Orchid126, I have used this 1 tbsp. to a gallon of water too and applied it to Basil seedlings and that pack doubled in size over a two week period over the other ones. I love to experiment (which is why my home baked bread tastes so good), but experimenting with my orchids has to be conservative in the beginning. I've been using it alternately with the regular fertilizer regimen and everyone seems to be happy. I think I'll try mixing it with my regular fert water like 11Orchid.

Thanks again!

[otis 226]

Liquid seaweed is not about the NPK. It is not used as a traditional fertilizer, but I too use it regularly on my plants with good results. As a matter of fact, I've managed to bring 2 Phals back from the brink, (one was merely a leaf left, no stem and certainly no roots!), suspending them above a heavy concentration, (about 3-4 times recommended dilution) of liquid seaweed. I'll take L.S. over superthrive every time. I can't say enough good things about it. Of course as with all things, YMMV.

[larryt]

I ordered some today to give it a try. It seems that most people that use it are quite pleased!

Cheers,
Larry

[skipper]

Same here. I also ordered some today. I have thought about it for sometime, but this thread got me going. Sounds like everyone is pleased with the results.

Dale

[PaulB]

It is also used for the reduction of transplant shock.

1.25oz. to a gallon of water.

[denite25]

i would love to try some what is the brand name? and where can i get it?

[PaulB]

The stuff I have is made by GROWMORE®, made in Gardena, California. I bought it at Cal West Tropicals, in Riverside, CA. $7.00 for 16oz. You can get it off their website too, but I'm sure most nurseries carry it. I hate paying the price of a down payment on a home for shipping. Not sure about the big box stores, like Home Depot or Lowe's. They don't even carry a good selection of fertilizers
I also get my Orchiata bark and clear plastic pots from Cal West. Pretty reasonable prices.

http://www.calwesttropical.com/

[Fishmom]

I found the Maxicrop at my local hydroponic store, and I have decided to give it a try. Like skipper, I am encouraged by this thread, and I have a few small plants that are really struggling. Maybe they will be encouraged too!

[denite25]

I got some today...and im gonna see how it works formy phals

[ARodney]

I read an article recently that was published a few years ago about seaweed and the benefits to phals. Of course the writer also combined the seaweed with MSU fertilizer and hydroton (I think that's how it's spelled) I don't know how to link but the article was on the Big Leaf Orchid forum. I decided to try the seaweed. I will say, I have seen a slight growth increase in roots and I've just started using the seaweed about a month and a half once a week. I've also fertilized once with 20-20-20 and didn't use the seaweed that week. Of course in between the week if it hasn't rained I've watered with regular rainwater.

[Puddy1]

I use it once a month on everybody. But recently, I applied an idea I read to a little phal a co-worker gave me. I call it 'The Mummy' . Poor think was sooo dried out! Anyway, after cleaning it up and hydrating it I potted it up in my bark mix soaked in the seaweed juice. That was back on 8/23 (I marked the date ). When I was watering it last Thursday 9/29, that dang thing has 4 new roots (that I can see)!! A couple are about 1/4" long and pretty thick. I have repotted other rescues, but they did not respond as quickly as this one with the seaweed soaked bark mix.

[NancyH]

I love Seaweed Extract. I have also used it for years. I consider it higher in Nitrigen and use it as such. When the roots need some umph I dose it well with the extract and lay off on all other fertilizer. I highly recommend it for root growth.

[HotPot]

@PaulB " I love to experiment (which is why my home baked bread tastes so good"
where can I get a recipe from you for Wholemeal Bread?!

[skipper]

I recieved my order of seaweed extract from Repotme yesterday. So here we go. The bottle says use it every two to three weeks. Some on this thread seem to use it every week, and others one time per month. I have been using MSU every other week, and it seems to be working very well. I will not use the seaweed when I use the MSU. But again how often do you all think the seaweed should be used, and can it be over done? By the way this will be used on Phals, as that is all I grow.

Dale

[Ray]

I did some reading on seaweeds, and apparently they contain a lot of chemicals that are auxins and/or cytokinens, depending upon the specific genus of the kelp used. And all recommend using it as a fertilizer additive, not as an alternative, as they can actually increase the absorption of nutrients. However, the general recommendation also includes using it only every two weeks or so, not constantly.

A quick look at a wikipedia entry referencing a biology book: "The ratio of auxin to cytokinin plays an important role in the effect of cytokinin on plant growth. Parenchyma tissue cultured with auxin and without cytokinin have cells that grow large but do not divide. When cytokinin is added along with auxin, the cells both expand and differentiate. However, when the plant cells are cultured with only cytokinin, there is no effect. When cytokinin and auxin are present in equal levels, the parenchyma cells form a callus, or undifferentiated mass of cells. An increase in cytokinin will lead to the growth of shoot buds, while an increase in auxin induces root formation."

[PaulB]

I just use one tablespoon to a gallon of water (according to the directions) and in the past week, combining it with my regular fert. Since I've started using it though, my Phals are thriving, sending out new roots and singing loudly at night...

Now, I'm using it for all of my plants. No one's complained.Yet.

[larryt]

I started my treatment today, so we'll see how things go. Will keep you all posted.

Cheers,
Larry

[PaulB]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, larryt. It may just make you a hero with your plants. I'm now seeing a sudden spurt of roots and leaves on a couple of my struggling Den keikis a friend of mine gave me a few months ago. They were taken a bit too soon and were pretty weak, so it's been a "take it a day at a time" thing with them.

[NewGrower]

I have been using it for awhile (I usually water ever 4-6 days depending on the weather and I switch off water - fert - seaweed ) and even some of my most stubborn plants (and the ones I almost killed) have been sending out new growths. A few times I would soak new plants (or sad plants) and that always seems to give them a "boost". I love the stuff... I get whatever it is they sell at my local Ace Hardware!

[Ray]

Some of the studies I've looked at recently recommend that NO hormone - seaweed-derived, or stuff like K-L-N SuperThrive - be used more than once every 14 days, based upon absorption/translocation/activity studies.

Otherwise you get plants with the equivalent of menopausal "raging hormones", which can be unhealthy.

[PaulB]

"Raging hormones"? Seems I've had to deal with those a few times...

[Brooke]

I'm certainly sorry you two guys had a hard time with menopause - did you talk to your OB/GYN about the problem? They do make meds that could help

Brooke

[PaulB]

Let's not go down that road, Brooke.

Let's just say that orchids are one way I get my "meds".

[peacefuldusk]

This may be a stupid question but...when putting one tablespoon in a gallon of water how then do you apply it? Are you spraying it or pouring it through and letting it drain? I only have 4 orchids so I get confused with the amounts and how I should apply them.

Thanks

[Ray]

Peaceful - Most seaweed extracts are meant to be added to fertilizer solutions, as they have chemicals in them that actually can keep some of the fertilizer minerals in a more stable solution, making them easier for the plant to absorb.

Soaking the potting medium is likely to give you better overall absorption.

[HotPot]

Funny just watched a video on youtube where a guy uses Nori sheets from his local supermarket (they are used in sushi - you wrap stuff in it) he rips up a couple of sheets and put them in a 2litre bottle of water and leaves for a couple of days then waters his plants with them.