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root boosters

Balduvian

Balduvian

has anyone used root boosters like
 
general hydroponics rapid start
supernatural rootburst powder
technaflora rootech
Plant Prod Stim Root
Holland Secret Propogator
 
or things like this
 
SuperNatural Instant Jungle
 
is it bad to use? does it add bad taste or anything to the plant i dont want?
 
Stim Root or any product that conatins IBA are carcinogenic. So no its not good for you but many people still use IBA rooting powders/gels for cuttings.
 
Like Sarge said above you have mixed products here some are for rooting cuttings and some are for enhancing the root zone.
 
I use only organic in all my soil plants. There is a product down in Australia its called Seasol. Its brilliant. Excellent stuff. Its not a fertilizer but a soil conditioner which contains seaweed extract amongst other things to help establish a strong large root system, help the plants immune system against pest and disease. No chemicals so very tiny chance of any effects to fruit taste. Try something with a seaweed/fish extract. Usually low in nitrogen and are great for root development. Magnesium is also a good mineral for root development.
 
http://www.seasol.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=108
 
I too use Seasol and it is indeed good stuff.
 
But, I'm told it is salty so shouldn't be used continually for any length of time. That is, it's good to give the soil a break and let some flush out with just good old water every now and then.
 
The garden specialists from the local handy man place (Bunnings) say that it has a particular kind of extract that other seaweed products don't have which is supposed to make all the difference. I think it has something to do with the actual species of seaweed that is harvested and used in Seasol. But, I haven't used any competing products so I'm in no position to offer advice or thoughts.
 
Regards,
 
Tim
 
teejay said:
I too use Seasol and it is indeed good stuff.
 
But, I'm told it is salty so shouldn't be used continually for any length of time. That is, it's good to give the soil a break and let some flush out with just good old water every now and then.
 
The garden specialists from the local handy man place (Bunnings) say that it has a particular kind of extract that other seaweed products don't have which is supposed to make all the difference. I think it has something to do with the actual species of seaweed that is harvested and used in Seasol. But, I haven't used any competing products so I'm in no position to offer advice or thoughts.
 
Regards,
 
Tim
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Well fuck, I've been using it every two weeks. There are plenty of waterings in between but fuck. Might explain the salt at the bottom of some of my pots.
 
I've used plant prod root stimulator before. Worked great. I think it was something like 10-52-10. The instructions state to only use it 2 times or so if I remember correctly. For the most part if you are just using it to establish some roots at the beginning of the growing season I doubt it'd have any affect on the taste. This is mainly because the small amount you put in will be washed out by the time harvest rolls around.

From what I've experienced it's the continuous use of chemical fertilizers that give peppers a bad taste. I had one season where I used ferts on a regular basis. I had great looking peppers, but they all had a chemical flavour.
 
I used GH RapidStart in my 2013 grow with good results. Its NPK is only 1-0.5-1 and the rest is extracts of Alfalfa, Barley and Willow Bark. No off flavors, and very economical to use... a 125ml bottle costs about $25 and will make up about 500 gallons of solution. It's dilute enough when used as directed that it won't burn the roots of tender seedlings.
 
That rapid start kicks arse. I don't dilute it. Lol add a couple drops to the plant (aero garden sponge). And man. Does it go crazy.
 
I have recently picked up some Yates Tomato & vegie food Liquid Fertiliser to try out.  Does that sound like anything that would be good for root booster? I'm not sure of the other ones mentioned.  Still very much learning at this myself :)
 
Sarge, I asked my local gardening expert how to get my Butch T Scorps going, as they have stalled out and done nothing since the second set of leaves.  His instructions were to repot individually in a mixture of a premium potting soil and Osmocote Plus Organics Plant Starter, slow release fertilizer.  Once potted he recommend watering it in with Seasol for encouraging root growth, all of which I did tonight.  It will be interesting to watch now and see what happens.  I didn't ask him about frequency of watering with seasol, but sounds like every other week may be too much?  Hoping I can get these guys to start growing!
 
I've used the GH RapidStart as well. I had nice results with it. It's pretty pricey, I happened to get it for free from the hydro store because I had given him some seeds :-)
 
In my experience the best root boosting products are just populations of microorganism... so really just feeding A.A.C.T.  is the best root enhancer IME.  However, even better than these products is having a fluffy media that isnt too rich and then bottom heatting.  Keeping your roots warm allowing them to cycle between soaked and dry extremely rapidly is the easiest way to induce vigorous rooting... which translates into luscious, healthy plants that can take stronger and stronger feedings.  Dont forget that roots breath oxygen...  let them dry out to get that O2 son!!!! :dance:

If you are planting in the ground outdoors then planting in a raised bed or mound helps to achieve those effects.
 
Paddamae said:
I have recently picked up some Yates Tomato & vegie food Liquid Fertiliser to try out.  Does that sound like anything that would be good for root booster? I'm not sure of the other ones mentioned.  Still very much learning at this myself :)
Click to expand...
Where did you find the Yates Tomato & Vegie Food Liquid Fertiliser? The product page on Yates web site states that it contains seaweed. Does the back of the bottle have any additional detail other than the NPK?
 
Paddamae said:
I have recently picked up some Yates Tomato & vegie food Liquid Fertiliser to try out.  Does that sound like anything that would be good for root booster? I'm not sure of the other ones mentioned.  Still very much learning at this myself :)
Click to expand...
Grab seasol. Its great stuff. Its a root tonic and soil conditioner and contains no npk so you can use it safely without worrying about over fertilizing your plants.

Also make sure your soil mix is really light and fluffy. It will be easier for the roots to penetrate and grow with minimal resistance.
 
Hello Harry - I picked up the Yates tomato & vegie food liquid fertiliser at Woolies supermarket, just in their gardening section.
Besides the NPK stuff (which I am not heaps familiar with) theres mainly only just application rate which says 1-2 caps in 9Litres and frequency every 1-2 weeks during growing season.  Wet leaves and surrounding soil, And stuff like do not apply if the temperature exceeds 30deg C.
 
Hello Sarge -  I think I need to get some more seasol too then.  I got the yates tomato and vegie fertiliser for something different to try out on the chillies, keeping them guessing I thought.  You wrote about keeping your soil mix light and fluffy, I use 1 peat brick mixed in with one bag of potting mix, do you reckon that is enough?  Thankyou for your info :P
 
Paddamae said:
Hello Harry - I picked up the Yates tomato & vegie food liquid fertiliser at Woolies supermarket, just in their gardening section.
Besides the NPK stuff (which I am not heaps familiar with) theres mainly only just application rate which says 1-2 caps in 9Litres and frequency every 1-2 weeks during growing season.  Wet leaves and surrounding soil, And stuff like do not apply if the temperature exceeds 30deg C.
 
Hello Sarge -  I think I need to get some more seasol too then.  I got the yates tomato and vegie fertiliser for something different to try out on the chillies, keeping them guessing I thought.  You wrote about keeping your soil mix light and fluffy, I use 1 peat brick mixed in with one bag of potting mix, do you reckon that is enough?  Thankyou for your info :P
Click to expand...
 
I've noticed you PM'ed me, rather than take this off topic I'll send you info in that PM!
 
Hophead said:
Stim Root or any product that conatins IBA are carcinogenic. So no its not good for you but many people still use IBA rooting powders/gels for cuttings.
 
Like Sarge said above you have mixed products here some are for rooting cuttings and some are for enhancing the root zone.
Click to expand...
Stim root being accused as a carcinogen is silly...

Show me something in its MSDS that would show it or it's components are a proven carcinogen (other than the 10 to 40 years of constant lung exposure to silicates (ie. common dust) that they mention)

http://www.mgshort.com/us/images/stim-root_1,2,3_expires_09-30-2013.pdf
 
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