Discussion forum for environmentally-friendly alternatives to replace synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
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May 2, 2011 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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root stimulants
I was looking for root stimulants (ROOTS, probably this stuff:
http://www.stonelantern.com/Roots_Ro...oz_p/or316.htm ), when I came across Mendocino Root-Plex: http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/pro...otPlex_QT.html This turns out to be a kelp extract plus 3% iron. (Just fyi.)
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May 2, 2011 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Alabama 7.5 or 8 depends on who you ask
Posts: 727
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Here's a link to my post where links to some use here at Tomatoville
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=18010 Last edited by John3; May 2, 2011 at 07:39 PM. |
May 2, 2011 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,591
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I've used the liquid Roots Concentrate for years with mixed results. Most of the time it really seems to help get seedlings going and rooted up quicker.
But occasionally if I'm having any problems, it sometimes seems to actually delay rooting. I would stay away from the product with the added iron. Roots also has an iron formula but I always specify the "no iron" formula. I've killed a whole lot of peppers tomatoes and eggplant seedlings with the iron stuff. BTW, the Roots in a 2.5 gal jug runs about $150.00. Carol |
May 3, 2011 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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dice,
I am trialing something this Season called Roots Excelurator: The plants have never been healthier with thick stems, and lots of foliage. Not cheap - - but the folks in the "indoor grow" business rave about it. Seems to be working well on tomatoes, too. Raybo |
May 3, 2011 | #5 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,386
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Ray
I bought some from your son and am using it in a hydro system and also in containers outside. Going to pick up a new hydro system from him in a few days.
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May 3, 2011 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Landers, CA
Posts: 191
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dice,
i have been useing rapid start this spring and i am getting very good results all my plants are showing very good growth and they all have many flowers, in fact i picked my first tomato yesterday a 14 oz. applause that should finish ripening by tomorrow ?? good luck. les |
May 3, 2011 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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It looks like Roots Concentrate is a kelp based product, too
(plus other stuff, humic acid, vitamin B-1, etc). This page has the ingredients listed: http://www.lebanonturf.com/products/...945/index.aspx
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May 12, 2011 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,591
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While I've used Roots Concentrate (liquid) for at least 15 years, right now I wouldn't recommend using it at all.
We have been having all kinds of problems in the greenhouse this spring. We've killed off more baby plants than we've kept growing. Even some of the plugs we bought have failed to thrive. They just sat there for about 3 weeks then started to go down hill. When Eggplant plugs don't fill out a pot in a month you know something is wrong. Otherwise healthy tomato seedlings potted on a Friday were dead by Sunday. After changing all kinds of things, last weekend out of desperation, I eliminated the Roots from my water/fertilizer tank. I use a weak solution of fertilizer all the time when I water. A constant feed system. That was about the only thing left to do at that point. By Wednesday, you could see a noticeable difference in many of the plants. While the jug of Roots I have is NOT the Roots with Iron, I believe it actually IS the iron formulation. Everything in the greenhouse is acting like it had iron toxicity. I've seen this same thing before. It just took longer to figure out this time because I wasn't using anything with iron, or so I thought. I believe I have either a mislabeled jug, or possible they didn't flush the lines when changing formulas. Whatever, I wouldn't trust them right now. We lost thousands of dollars worth of plants and my plant selling season at the farmers market is a wreck. Carol |
May 26, 2011 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 101
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Not sure if this is considered a root stimulator, but is sold as a "root inoculant".
Picked it up from my local hydro store for $10. http://botanicare.net/biologicals/zho-root-inoculant If you do a quick google search, it appears to be a well liked product, and is used for cultivation of another commonly grown "indoor" plant. Although I don't have nearly the amount of plants that some of you guys have here, the few I did try it on, seems to be working very well; though it's only been a week now. |
May 26, 2011 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 329
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I like kelp for roots
This 4 week old Stupice, 2 weeks in the cup, had 3 half strength feeds of Natures Guide kelp Root Stimulator, 1 dose Myco gro, with Actinovate, a little molasses...seems to have worked this time.
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May 27, 2011 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 101
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May 27, 2011 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ca
Posts: 79
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I agree with Ray. Roots Excell is the way to go. I know its expensive, but when u only use 1ml per gallon its not really that expensive.
L8 MJ |
May 27, 2011 | #13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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Quote:
I figure the one bottle of Roots Excelurator will last me about 5 years, so spread over that useful life period, its cost really isn't too bad. Raybo |
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May 27, 2011 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ca
Posts: 79
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Great looking plants Ray.
What type are they? L8 MJ |
May 27, 2011 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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