I wanted to see if I was being unfair to superthrive because I said I didn't see a difference in using it or not and since there were several comments on it I decided to do an experiment and dispel or confirm my thought of it. Here are the plants side by side. I used 20-20-20 in one watering can and then divded it and added the 1/4t.superthrive to the 2nd can. I watered with either water or fertilizer each time, but it was the same product for each set of plants at a time. The super thrive product is on the left and the 20-20-20 on the right. ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) This is taken about a week later and it appears that the superthrive marigolds are ....smaller. ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) sorry this is a little blurry, but as you can see the plants look to be about the same size. [/URL] ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) Looking at them from above though shows a whole different picture. The leaves on the oregano are smaller that had the superthrive added to the water ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) I pulled the two closest in size marigolds out of the cell and I don't really see a difference in the amount of roots that the superthrive/fert. and the plain fertilizer plants produced. ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) So I am thinking I won't be spending any more $$$ on the product than this last bottle for this experiment. Anybody else who has some please try an experiment with it and see if your results are the same or different. It would be interesting to see.
Good Job!- I have used Superthrive along with my regular fertilizer. ST just contain more hormones and vitamins. really expensive, so i stick with my regular regiment.
Great experiment and presentation. But could I ask you to continue it further? I never have used Superthrive on seedlings. I typically use it when putting plants in the ground to help with the stress. Will you be planting the Marigolds and/or Oregano? Or keeping them in pots? I just wonder if that's what it is better used for? So far though... I'm convinced that it doesn't do a thing for seedlings!
Sure, Cheryl. I will keep taking pictures and doing the same thing to them. The marigolds I can keep in a pot/s and the oregano is from Karma, so I plan to keep some of it and I will plant that in planters to keep over the winter. I, also, am convinced it does nothing for the seedlings. As a matter of fact it looks as if it inhibits their growth. :-? Gaila, have you tried any experiments with it or is this your thoughts/results from trying it, also? I was just wondering as I have tried it before, but thought it didn't do anything for my plants, but I didn't have anything to judge side by side.
Carolyn: I have tried it many times. Never on seedlings, but on already potted plants. It has shown significant grow with my other fertilizers. I have never used it alone, as it's more of a supplement to your feeding schedule.
:-D Reminds me of when my mom did the same kind of experiment with something and Miracle Grow on tomatoes in the ground in like 1965 or 1970. It was so cute, and so was she. Miracle Grow won back then.... Thanks Carolyn Keiper for answering the same questions that I had about the stuff. I have it and use it but never compared it to anything. That's what the company is gambling on, people like me. Barb in Pa.
gaila, I did add it to the fertilizer. I din't use it as a stand alone supplement. Barb, you are welcome, But I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS IT TO DO AN EXPERIMENT WITH IT AND REALLY SEE. COMPARE PLANTS SIDE BY SIDE WITH AND WITHOUT IT. (sorry about the caps) the label is for all plants and markets it to use it on everything. I would expect to see a difference whether it was healthy seedlings or stressed and dying plants.
I really like these sorts of experiments. It always gives you a solid foundation of knowledge when discussing procedure with other gardening folks. That, and the fact that it just makes things clearer for yourself when you have to make decisions about your own garden and gardening habits. I quite enjoyed this posting, C.
