FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

So what's the verdict ? Is Maxsea 16-16-16 safe for my VFT's and is there
any real advantage to using it ?

I've never tried it personally, but I've "heard' it works on VFTs. I think VFTs grow quite well with proper care, good sunlight and the occasional insect, so I haven't tried fertilizing them yet.

Me either, but in hypothesis a low orchid fertilizer should work. But I wouldn't recommend it for beginners, more for advance growers that know how they work.

Like Matt said just give them proper conditions and they'll thrive!

I just ordered the Maxsea from California Carnivores. I'm going to try it in a very weak concentration
as suggested by those guys. I'll let you know the results. Keep your fingers crossed for me ...LOL

I am resurecting this old thread because I want to try it.

David Conner recommended diluting the package instructions x4 and lightly misting the tops of the plants.

Apparently, he has been doing this for some time and insists that it really stimulates growth.

I did not see this thread, and started another one :\

From experience (but not with VFT's) I learned that while some fertalizers can make your plants look fantastic,
in the long term, you may be damaging the plants own DNA.

I am no horticulturist, so I dont know, but I would think if moderation is used, you could see fantastic results
w/o shortening the life span of your plants.

I'm confused, how does fertilizer damage a plants DNA? I can't really think of anything that the DNA has to do with being harmed by fertilizer. Thanks

David F wrote:I'm confused, how does fertilizer damage a plants DNA? I can't really think of anything that the DNA has to do with being harmed by fertilizer. Thanks

LOL!! good question, that's what I read somewhere, and I have not seen any evidence that this is even possible

Nats wrote:

David F wrote:I'm confused, how does fertilizer damage a plants DNA? I can't really think of anything that the DNA has to do with being harmed by fertilizer. Thanks

LOL!! good question, that's what I read somewhere, and I have not seen any evidence that this is even possible

But you said in your previous post "from experience (not VFTs)"... So I take it you don't have experience with fertilizer damgaing DNA but instead ya just read it somewhere?

I was going to start a Maxsea thread, then I saw this one soooooo....

Remember how, many post's ago, I was going to do a experiment with this stuff, using Conner's formula
(mix as directed, then dilute X4)?

Well, I was using this pretty regular on a few select plants that were doing poorly.
I saw absolutly no results, good or bad. But, I was using his method of misting the stuff on the plant.

So, I decided to just pour the stuff on there! I used a measure tablespoon and poured directly into the center of the
plant 2 tablespoons.

For the first few days, nothing, these plants were almost dead, and had little or no new growth.
I just kept at it, 2 TBLS every day, now I am seeing a difference, and not a small one either, and it's not coinceidence!!

The plants are growing new sprouts now and much faster then normal.
My once dead looking Maroon Monster now has healthy leaves with a few nice traps, and lots of small leaves with tiny traps are
sprouting up. The plants look almost normal now thanks to this stuff.

When they get a little better, I will stop using it, but the point is, it really does work, you just need to be really patient

I have not tried any other dilution other then what I mentioned, and it has to be the Maxsea 16-16-16 formula mixed with
the usual distilled water.

Dont expect it to perform miracles though, and give it lots of time to work.

I never experimented with giving the plant more then 2 tbls. but I dont think it would hurt the plant.
This stuff is very gental (unlike 99% of fertilizers I have used in the past) and if you look at the ingrediance, it's all natural
stuff that sounds good (no big long chemical names, dyes, preservitives, etc.

I am happy with it, and will use it as needed for sick plants only.

But, I say with caution, use as I discribed and no stronger, your results may very, and dont blame me if something horrible
happens to your plant
All I know is it works for me

P.S. And if you dont believe me, you are invited to come over and ask my Maroon Monster what he thinks of Maxsea!!

ill try this if i get sick plants lol

Found this on Maxsea 16 16 16

Container gardens need the support of bio-available nutrients and Maxsea is our top pick. A blend of quality North Atlantic seaweed, quick acting, liquid soluble nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other micro-nutrients; Maxsea promotes healthy root systems, vibrant plants and quality blossoms. Dissolves quickly and completely for convenient use'

The only thing i see in this product is seaweed all the other ingredients are contained in almost all plant fertilizer ( nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus)

As for the micro-nutrients ?

I have also seen a product used in hydroponics called alg-a-mic which contains liquified seaweed and the same nitrogen potassium etc