Superthrive

lee · White Belt Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Hi All,

I'm a little confused. Having joined my local bonsai club in January this year, apart from stressing the need for a good feeding/ watering regime many of my fellow enthusiasts strongly (almost religiously) advocate the use of superthrive.

Having purchased a bottle in January this year, I've given this to my collection - except pines (I've heard it kills the good fungus on pines) on a weekly basis - 8 drops per gallon and to be honest, I can't say that I've noticed any difference in the overall health or growth. Am I doing something wrong?

I've heard of people crushing vitamin B1 tablets and adding it to the water and even an odd spoon of marmite!! Would this not give a similar effect to superthrive?

I'd love to hear what others view/experience of superthrive is!!

Cheers

leejr · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Superthrive

Hi Lee there is quite a lot on superthrive on here. there is a thread on page 3 and plenty more. If you go 2 the purple tab at the top and search superthrive you will get a lot of info. I cant advise you im afraid has I've not had enough experience with it myself.

By the way that's a long time to have joined and not posted Shocked

Rob Spiller · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Superthrive

I have just started to use Superthrive, so I to do not know if it works or not.
What I will do at the weekend is plant some Cress. Some with water with Superthrive in and some without. If there is a difference that is probably a pretty quick way of seeing if it is effective. The results however will only apply to cress Laughing

Rob

imholte · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Superthrive

The B1 in superthrive is what helps out stressed trees, there also is auxin which helps promote root growth, but to the extent is unknown. If your tree is healthy then I doubt you will notice a difference in using it. It might speed recovery of newly repotted trees, or it just might make you feel that you are doing something great for the tree. Its not required for plant health, I dont use it anymore for I did not see and benefit from it and my trees are just dandy. You can buy a gallon of B1 plant stimulator from your local garden store for about the price of a 4oz bottle of superthrive. 128oz for $10 or 4oz for $10, you figure which one is cheaper.

Superthrive is more of a gimmick than a miracle tonic for your plants.

Take 2 exact seedlings and give one superthrive and the other none and see if there is a difference.

Stymie · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: Superthrive

Superthrive can't do much harm but I haven't seen the miracle effect that the manufacturer's claim. It may be beneficial to newly planted/re-potted material and to anything under stress but routine use for healthy trees doesn't seem to be necessary.
I feel that if things grew so much bigger from using it (as the makers claim) it might be contrary to bonsai intentions. Laughing

lee · White Belt Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks for that. I think I'll stick to seaweed!! That works wonders on pines!!

As for the time between joining and posting - it's along story!!! Smile

Dick · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:03 am Post subject: Re: Superthrive

I also use it regularly but in less of a solution...about 5 drops per gallon.

It's not a feretilizer but the claim if that the vitamis in it help the tree be more receptive to fertilizers and to be more able to withstand any one of the many types of things that attack trees outdoors. I think that ther eis also some very good scientific evidence that has been posted on the web about it too. Do a web search and see what you get.