I was wondering whether any of you has used a product called “Superthrive.” (And no, I am not working for the company that makes it!)
I’ve been using it for several years, and have been getting good results. It’s not a fertilizer, rather a kind of supplement that provides plants with micronutrients. I first heard about it when I was volunteering in a greenhouse, and the team leader used it to revive some wilted plugs. Then I heard more while attending a class on orchid culture. The instructor told us that she alternated “Superthrive” with her regular orchid fertilizer.
So, I bought one of those little bottles with the miniscule text and teeny tiny photos. If you want to actually read that tiny text, here’s a link to it on the “Superthrive” website. I think it’s kind of funny how they try and cram all that information onto a small label. But whatever the bottle looks like, I find the product useful, especially when I’m transplanting, or putting new plants in. They seem less traumatized if I add it to the water. I also use it on my orchids, alternating with orchid fertilizer.
I would love to hear your comments and/or experiences with this stuff, or any other products for that matter!
Digging RI 
I have used Super Thrive on house plants and the results were good. However I am not sure of all the ingredients in the product and if they could be potentially harmful. So this year I switched to a seaweed solution and it works just as well and I am more comfortable with what is going into my plants and eventually back into the environment.
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You make a good point. Maybe I should check into this a bit more.
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Denise, what is this that you use? I am concerned for the environmental impacts of superthrive.
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There are no adverse environmental impacts that we are aware of. It’s much more eco-friendly than Miracle Gro…
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I use this product for houseplants, transplanting and plants that are in need of a boost. It smells just like a bottle of vitamins, doesn’t it? It has encouraged new growth and literally brought plants back from death’s door. After purchasing s small bottle and loving the results, I bought it in the gallon size!
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It is amazing stuff, for sure. My orchids really love it. But as a reader commented before you, do we know it is safe for the environment? Maybe I should look into it.
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It sure looks interesting. I’ve seen an advertisement somewhere, it sounded downright magical.
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You use very little – a drop per gallon, I think, and it can be used in conjunction with your regular fertilizer.
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I know it’s definitely not organic because it contains the hormone 1-Naphthyl acetic acid which doesn’t occur naturally. I understand that this hormone encourages root growth and that’s why it’s so great for transplants. It also has a small amount of B vitamins, but no nitrogen, potassium or phosphorus.
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So it’s more or less innocuous.
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Well, here’s the confusing part. It’s certified as a non-toxic growth enhancer, but the EPA requires its registration and places it in the “pesticide” category. I don’t understand why a growth enhancer (hormone) would be in the pesticide category, but then who can figure out what a federal agency is thinking!
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Sometimes I think the confusion is deliberate, don’t you?
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Yes, I agree, but I was wondering if perhaps the hormone while encouraging plant growth does something to inhibit certain insect development.
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That’s kind of “GM” scary. As I have said, I have to look into this a bit more.
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