LOL! Every time I encounter a post regarding the alleged benefits of Superthrive or questions about its effectiveness, I am reminded of a published article by a longtime and very well-respected GW member who refers to the stuff as "SuperJIVE". Just exactly what is it?? No one, other than the originator, knows for sure and he is not divulging the ingredients. It reputedly contains vitamins (B1) and plant growth regulators but in such low concentrations as to be virtually almost entirely water once diluted according to directions.

It does have a pretty impressive marketing presence, with full page ads in various trade and horticultural publications and a rather strong following of proponents who swear by the stuff, pot growers in particular if Google hits mean anything. But what it poses in anecdotal reports it lacks entirely in any kind of scientific testing. Odd that a product that has been on the market as long as this (since the 40's, I believe) has never produced any peer-reviewed scientific evidence to support its claims.

It flies under the EPA radar by not calling itself a 'fertilizer' and it is restricted from sale in various states as well as Canada simply because it is not EPA regulated and also appears to contain 1-Napthyl acetic acid, a non-regulated pesticide. If you have it, you might as well use it but I'd not go out of my way to buy anything that I could not confirm the ingredients on and that is unsupported by any real testing. And is dang expensive to boot. I would caution against applying in anything more than the recommended dilution rate as it does contain synthetic auxin, the same growth regulator that was used in defoliants in Viet Nam and could actually be harmful to plants if applied too frequently or in excess.

I'm curious -- if you are not sure of its value to plants, why did you buy it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Superthrive or SuperJIVE??

Forgot to add that the term 'snake oil' is often used with respect to this product :-) FWIW......

I've used it before and had great results with my Echinacea seedlings and divisions. In fact, I would say it's an excellent product, especially for stressed plants indoors.

Gardengal, I bought it at Wally World. I was looking for a growth stimulator which I read was needed when planting potted trees and that was the only thing I could find. It sounded good, almost too good. Then after I got it home I decided that I would just take it back. Then I noticed it at the little Amish store close by which deals with plants, etc. I meant to ask the ladies there if they recommended it. I moved a floppy salvia plumosa back into the garden bed and thought that a little shot of Superthrive might help it recover from the move, but it didn't seem to help. Thanks for your interesting comment and also to Echinaceamaniac!

I love it! I don't know what it does, but it works like gangbusters for me. I used to get transplant shock a lot, but not anymore! I like to soak my new plants in water with a small amount of Superthrive before planting. I did soak 3 new potted rose bands in a bucket with the stuff and they are doing wonderful.
Bottom line for me... It may be "snake oil" or jive, but whatever it is, it works well for me! :)

Cathy

There are definitely gardeners and some growers who swear by the stuff. I've used it on occasion without definitive evidence of success (for instance, I dosed a small tree transplanted under difficult circumstances with Superthrive and it adjusted well and took off into new growth, but how do you tell if that can be attributed to Superthrive?).

And that's the problem with products such as this, not to mention other wonder additives/fertilizers like Spray-N-Gro and all the expensive weirdly named fertilizers on sale at the hydroponics places - they seem to depend heavily on marketing and testimonials.

I do enjoy the pictures and lurid text on the Superthrive bottle/package.

Its the "power of positive thinking". Whenever I have tried these "wonders" others rave about, they work like plane water for me. I have in some cases been tempted to taste them "just in case they WERE plain water" but have not had the guts. As long as it is not my money they spend, and they are happy with their perceived results, I am happy. For my own growing I will stick to making my soil as healthy as possible and will be happy with normal plant growth, and not expect miracles. Al

used superthrive years ago to grow large vegetables....have switched to a better product call vitazyme....they prove their product....

Perhaps the same could be said of the mycorrhizae fad. Maybe it helps get a new plant off to a better start maybe not. I do know that any plant I've transplanted does already have micorrhizae colonized on their roots all on their own. The tougher the spot from which they were moved the more mycorrhizae they have.

container wise...unless you had to take an axe and shovel to chop up roots so you could remove the plant from the container. could not pull them out....you have not had a good dose of mycorrhiza on your plant...eggplant, pepper plant and tomato plant...you can capture your own from virgin forest soil...it cost very little this way....but takes a little time and studying, but simple...chemicals, kill the good stuff....keep your soil full of worms, then you are headed natures way....the forest knows how to grow giant trees....the indian