I'm not spouting BS or making a fool of myself. It's snake oil. You need to learn about the placebo effect. Thousands of people take sugar pills during drug studies and claim that the pills actually are benefiting them. Same thing goes with unnecessary plant supplements. People want to believe they work so that is what they perceive as happening. The fact that it won an award at the worlds fair in 1940 is meaningless.
It's snake oil plain and simple. I've done plenty of research regarding it.
Thanks for replying to my post in such a mature manner but I'll take the scientific work of someone with a Ph.D ,decades worth of research, and a best selling book over the opinion of some kid that's grown a couple cannabis plants/weeds.
Do you actually think you know more about this topic than this woman? You should read her best selling book:
The Informed Gardener
https://www.amazon.com/Informed-Gardener-Linda-Chalker-Scott/dp/0295987901
Winner of the Best Book Award in the 2009 Garden Writers Association Media Awards
Named an "Outstanding Title" in University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries, 2009
In this introduction to sustainable landscaping practices, Linda Chalker-Scott addresses the most common myths and misconceptions that plague home gardeners and horticultural professionals.
Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University
- 2005-2007: WSU Master Gardener Program Curriculum Director
- 1997-2004 Associate Professor of Plant Physiology and Landscape Management, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington
- 1989-1997: Assistant Professor (Associate 1995), Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, SUNY College at Buffalo
- Education
- Ph.D. 1988, Horticulture (double minor in Biochemistry and Botany), Oregon State University. Thesis title: Relationships between Endogenous Phenolic Compounds of Rhododendron Tissues and Organs and Cold Hardiness Development
- M.S. 1981, Biological Sciences, Oregon State University. Thesis title: Sensitivity of the Marine Copepod Tigriopus californicus to Ultraviolet-B (290-320 nm) Radiation
- B.S. 1978, Biological Sciences, Oregon State University
Certification
- Certified Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Professional and Honorary Memberships
- American Association of University Professors
- American Society for Photobiology
- Garden Writers of America
- International Society for Arboriculture
- Gamma Sigma Delta, Agriculture Graduate Student Honor Society
- Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society
- Sigma Xi, National Research Honorary
- Phi Sigma, National Biological Research Honorary
Selected Awards
- Silver Award of Achievement (for The Informed Gardener) from the Garden Writers Association, 2009
- Award of Appreciation, American Society for Photobiology, 2006
- Earth Hero at School, King County Earth Legacy Initiative, 2003
- Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (WSNLA) Educator of the Year, 2002
- President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advisement, SUCB, 1994
- Nuala Drescher Affirmative Action Leave Award, SUCB, 1994
- Outstanding Research Publication Award, American Society for Horticultural Science, 1990
- National AAAS Award in Organismic Biology, San Francisco meeting, 1989
- Robert I. Larus Award from AAAS, Pacific Division, 1988
The Myth of Vitamin Stimulants: "Vitamin B-1 reduces transplant shock by stimulating new root growth"
The Myth
Ever seen this advertisement? “[Product X, which contains vitamin B-1] stimulates the quick formation of new root hairs and revitalizes the delicate feeder roots that are often damaged in transplanting. [Product X] is especially designed to hasten the development of bareroot roses, shrubs, shade trees and bedding plants that have been moved to new locations. It helps plants become established quickly and ensures vigorous growth.” Another adds a little scientific terminology to convince you: “Vitamin B-1 (plus minor elements and chelating agents) is great for root growth and helps reduce transplant shock.” Or how about this one? “The combination of Vitamin B-1 with essential micro nutrients forms a highly effective mixture...and lessens the chances of transplant shock and plant stress.”
Aren’t you convinced that if you don’t use products with Vitamin B-1 your transplants will suffer? Apparently administrators at one large university are. Under their “Typical Tree Protection and Relocation Specifications” is the following: “48 hours prior to cutting, an application of vitamin B-1 shall be administered to the rootball of the tree.” If a university requires this practice, it must be legitimate, right?
The Reality
Applying vitamin B-1, or thiamine, to root systems of whole plants does not stimulate root growth. This is a myth that refuses to die, though it has been repeatedly refuted in the scientific literature. To understand why, it helps to think about this in a historical perspective.
Many decades ago the plant growth regulators called auxins were isolated and characterized. Auxins were found to stimulate cell elongation in both root and shoot tissues. Commercial preparations were developed that contained auxin and vitamin B-1 among other ingredients. Research in 1949 found improved root development in plants treated with one of these preparations (Transplantone, which contains both auxin and thiamine), but noted the importance of auxins in this response. Further research throughout the last half of the 20th century investigating the application of auxins to root systems suggested that auxins may stimulate root growth, but that vitamin B-1 on its own does not.
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/vitamin-b1.pdf