A common misfortune of domestic orchids is that plants, seemingly for no reason at all, stop sprouting roots, flower stalks, wither and eventually die. The culprit could be even a random draft from a window. Therefore, orchid lovers were the first to appreciate the plant growth bioregulator with a stimulating and anti-stress effect, Ribav Extra: it does not feed plants with phytohormones, but stimulates their biosynthesis and increases vitality.
Currently, the drug Ribav extra is increasingly used in small private farms. The possibilities of increasing the yield of private household plots or at least maintaining it at an acceptable level from year to year are limited: it is difficult or impossible to use large-scale agricultural techniques on a wide variety of crops, and the use of phytohormonal agents ultimately depletes the soil. In these conditions, “soft” growth regulation also showed its best side: Ribav extra does not guarantee an “instant” record harvest, but it makes it possible to significantly reduce both the dependence of farm productivity on weather conditions and the costs of agrochemicals.
History of the drug
The history of the creation of Ribav extra is not so much instructive in itself as it is necessary for private owners to use it knowledgeably and profitably, as well as, on occasion, experiment with different crops: Ribav extra is, in principle, universal. If overdoses are avoided, this drug is harmless and safe for humans, plants and the environment. Its target crops (see below) were determined during full-scale (field) tests; their species range can be significantly expanded.
Growth regulator and anti-stress drug for plants Ribav extra
In John Wyndham's novel The Day of the Triffids, written during the Cold War, one of the characters says: "The Russians are far ahead of everyone else in biotechnology." One of the areas of the breakthrough at that time was a thorough study of the biology of ginseng and its similar, more hardy relative Eleutherococcus, the extract of which is the basis of the famous drink “Baikal”. Artificial cultivation of ginseng promised enormous benefits, which were later fully realized, but in the course of the work, the mycorrhiza (symbiont fungus) of ginseng inevitably came to the attention of researchers.
As it turned out, in cohabitation with mushrooms, ginseng has reached the same limit as orchids: the existence of a plant and a symbiont fungus separately from each other is impossible. And the mycorrhiza of ginseng, as it turned out, is much more capricious than its “big brother”. In attempts to find a substitute for it, a new generation of plant growth regulators was born.
Reviews from flower growers about growth stimulants
To prepare vitamin “cocktails,” only ampoule solutions are used.
Vitamins in tablets are not suitable for this purpose. Moderate use of stimulants often helps gardeners who cannot provide ideal conditions for orchids:
“I have a dark apartment with north-facing windows, and I don’t have enough money for phytolamps. But my orchids bloom normally and feel good. I keep a little bit of everything in my medicine cabinet: succinic acid, Ribav, vitamins, Stimul. Thanks to them, I don’t give up on my favorite orchids and enjoy their blooming.” (Valentina, Chelyabinsk).
Composition and action
As stated above, Ribav extra is not a phytohormone. Compared to phytohormonal preparations, this growth regulator produces, by analogy with us, not stunted “jocks” who are capable of an instant mighty leap, but rather stunted “jocks” in serious business, but tourists-discharge workers or veteran soldiers. Those who will go everywhere as much as they can, and when they can’t anymore, they will go as long as necessary, or as long as they order.
Area of action of the drug Ribav extra on plants
The effect of Ribav extra on plants affects primarily (see also figure):
- On the acceleration of seed germination, the consistency of seedlings, their rapid growth and development, on the left in the figure;
- Accelerating the rooting of cuttings during vegetative propagation (in the center), as well as increasing the survival rate of seedlings, seedlings and indoor plants during planting, planting and replanting;
- Enhanced root formation and the ability to tolerate stress in orchids and other capricious indoor plants.
Researchers were able to isolate the biologically elementary “building blocks” on which the drug’s action is based. They turned out to be aliphatic amino acids, i.e. having no cyclic bonds in the structural formulas: 2-aminopropane (alanine) and 2-aminopentanedioic (glutamine), see fig. The very mechanism of their action in the required dosages has not yet been solved, but the most important role of amino acids in all living things is undoubted.
Chemical formulas of alanine and glutamic acid
L or R?
In the manufacturer's specification, the components of Ribav extra are listed as L-alanine and L-glutamic acid. In this case, we mean Left spatial isomers, which is determined by the relative position of the amino group and oxygen in the acid residue. In nature, only left-handed isomers are formed and consumed by living organisms; right R (Right) of the same substances are deadly poisons, difficult to synthesize in laboratories. Why, how and why this happened in the process of evolution is a mystery in front of which scientists are only throwing up their hands, relying on quantum physics in the absence of something even more mysterious. As well as solving the main problem of photosynthesis research.
During photosynthesis, a photoreceiver in a plant captures a quantum of light and directs it to a special protein molecule with 100% accuracy. Next, a chain of biosynthesis is launched, which results in a molecule of the universal energy carrier of all living things, adenosine triphosphoric acid. But chemical reactions are fundamentally unable to produce a 100% yield of the final product. And in plants, every suitable quantum of light produces an ATP molecule with 100% probability, and no one can say why this is so yet.
Biologists are also waiting for a complete solution to photosynthesis from quantum physics. Knowledge of its mechanism in all details will make it possible to create artificial photosynthesis. Here prospects open up, about which the wildest imagination can only say – breathtaking. But when and how this will happen – who knows...
Characteristics of the product
Ribav-extra is the result of the vital activity of mycorrhizal fungi obtained biotechnologically from the ginseng root. Contains phytohormones, amino acids and vitamin complex.
A characteristic sign is a slight alcoholic odor. When mixed with water, it forms a small amount of foam. Available in volumes from 10 ml to 1 l of different concentrations.
The universal regulator Ribav-extra has shown high efficiency when used in the process of growing a wide range of cultivated plants: from industrial grains to exotic ornamental ones.
The effectiveness of the drug is explained by the creation of a mutually beneficial symbiosis of plant roots with fungal mycelium, which provides plant roots with biologically active elements, receiving in return the carbohydrates necessary for their growth. As a result of this interchange, the supply of the plant with mineral salts, enzymes, hormones and vitamins increases many times over, which greatly enhances the growth and development of roots. Thanks to the mycorrhizal fungi included in Ribav-extra, the root nutrition of orchids is enhanced 15 times.
Release forms
In the Russian Federation, Ribav extra is produced by Avgust LLC (avgust crop protection) in the form of a ready-to-use solution (formation P). Active ingredients (AI) L-alanine at a concentration of 1.52 mg/l (0.0152%) and L-glutamic acid 1.96 mg/l (0.0192%). Solvent – 60% ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Retail packaging for private household plots - ampoules from 0.5 to 5 ml and bottles of 5 or 10 ml (see figure at the beginning).
Note: Ribav extra from ampoules for indoor gardening, cottages and garden plots must be immediately pumped into a medical syringe (from ampoules of 0.5 and 1 ml to insulin), because The dosage of the drug is negligible, and it is not stored in an opened container.
Fake or not?
The secret of the effectiveness of the original Ribav Extra is in the exact dosage of DV. The August company supplies semi-finished products and wholesale to sub-manufacturers in larger volume containers. This extra Ribav (see picture) is usually no worse than the branded one.
Ribav extra preparations from alternative manufacturers
However, simple alcoholic extracts of ginseng mycorrhiza (is it ginseng?) can also be found on sale under the same name. They cannot definitely be called counterfeits: in general, they act similarly to the original product, but are weaker and unstable. The way to determine the authenticity of the drug seems to be simple: the original Ribav Extra has a characteristic alcoholic smell and, when dissolved, consistently slightly foams, while the “fake” ones give off something like fusel, and when they dissolve, only individual bubbles or tiny clusters of them are formed.
But who will allow you to break an ampoule or open a sealed bottle when purchasing? Therefore, when purchasing Ribav extra, check the authenticity of the packaging, the presence and relevance of the manufacturer’s details, as well as the indications on the packaging of the exact chemical composition and registration number(s) - falsification of these data is severely prosecuted by law.
Note: clearly inflated and at the same time streamlined wording in the specification of the product can be considered an indirect indication of counterfeit. For example, “increases seed germination up to 100%.” Rotten, empty and gnawed seeds will also germinate? An adequate manufacturer does not take responsibility for foreign materials. And if none of them sprouted, is that also “up to 100%”? Sorry, but what are the complaints against us?
Precautionary measures
Ribav is an extra substance of the 4th class of danger for humans and bees because the 5th (safe substance) is not assigned to agrochemicals.
To work with the drug, basic PPE is required: latex gloves for hands, simple safety glasses against splashes on the eyes. Storage – locked away from children and animals (possible at home). If the drug gets on the body, rinse with water; If it gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with open eyes under running water. neutralizing spills on the floor - wipe with a rag, paper napkin or wad of toilet paper, which are thrown into the trash can; There is no need to neutralize spills on the ground. However, if a significant amount of the drug (approx. 0.5 ml) gets inside the human body, then, due to the high bioactivity of amino acids, depending on the general condition of the body, undesirable consequences, even severe ones, are possible. In this case, the victim should be taken to a doctor immediately. Treatment, if necessary, is symptomatic, because amino acids are not poisons and there are no specific antidotes for them, respectively. No.
Benefits of use
The drug Ribav-extra for use in growing orchids has a number of advantages.
- Non-toxic and low-hazard. Belongs to hazard class 4, not posing a threat to the health of humans and domestic animals, fish and bees. The use of Ribava does not entail a negative impact on the substrate and does not lead to contamination of surface and ground waters.
- Easy to use. Thanks to its chemical composition, it has good effectiveness for the life of flowers.
- Combines with other types of fertilizer complexes.
- Economical, used in small dosages.
Application procedure
Ribav extra concentrate should be diluted for watering or spraying immediately before use in a 2/3 filled technological container (watering can, sprayer tank). Then the container is topped up to normal and work begins; the working solution must be produced within 4 hours. For use in drip irrigation systems, prepare a stock solution of the required concentration (see below) and pour in the system’s supply tank. To soak seeds, first prepare a working solution, and then immerse the seed material in it.
Note: when using Ribav extra by watering, it is necessary to first water with plain water until the soil is visiblely moistened; on open ground 2-4 hours before using the drug; for indoor plants in 4-24 hours.
Instructions for using the plant growth bioregulator Ribav Extra in private farming are given in the table below. In unfavorable cultivation conditions (for example, in bad years) or after transplantation, Ribav Extra can also stimulate adult fruit-bearing plants and shrubs. To do this, water them until the volume of food is completely soaked, and a day later or later, when the top layer of soil dries, water them with a 0.01% solution of the drug (1 ml per 10 liters of water) until completely soaked. Consumption of the product ranges from 0.25 liters per strawberry bush to 30-50 liters per large fruit-bearing tree. If necessary, stimulating watering can be repeated no earlier than 2 weeks after the first.
Note: transplanted adult plants can be stimulated with Ribav Extra no earlier than signs of rooting appear. You cannot stimulate plants that are overwatered, in acidified soil and/or with rotting roots! In this case, the plant must be replanted correctly, removing rotten roots and sprinkling the sections with chiseled activated carbon, and stimulation must be applied only after rooting in a new place.
Preparation of the solution
Depending on the purpose, ribav is diluted in different dosages.
- To feed flowers or spray leaves, dissolve 1-3 drops in a liter of water. Use a syringe or pipette to measure the exact dose.
- 3-4 hours before treatment, moisten the soil well for better penetration of the drug.
- Pump the solution into an insulin syringe for safe storage.
The opened solution is not stored , because its active substances lose their beneficial properties when in contact with air. Active action time is no more than 4 hours after opening the package. Store the drug in a dark and dry place.
Ribav and orchids
Ribav extra remains a popular anti-stress drug for orchids cultivated in living rooms. In general, the scheme for using Ribav extra for indoor orchids is as follows:
- For weakened plants, check the condition of the roots and substrate. It is replaced if necessary, the root system is washed (do not remove lumps of mycorrhiza!) and made healthy by removing rotten roots.
- Prepare a solution of Ribav extra: 2-3 drops of concentrate per 1 liter of water and soak the roots of the plant in it overnight.
- Dry the roots outdoors in a room at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. Not in direct sunlight and not in convective currents and/or thermal radiation fluxes from heating devices!
- The plant is planted in a new (or, in extreme cases, in a sterilized old) substratum.
- Water thoroughly with plain water.
- A day after watering, stimulating watering is carried out with a solution of 1-2 drops of Ribav extra per 1 liter of water.
- If the plant begins to revive, the stimulating watering is repeated after 2-3 weeks.
- The third stimulating watering with a solution of 1-2 drops of Ribava extra is carried out when the revived plant throws out the first flower arrow.
For more information on the use of Ribav extra for orchids, see the selection of videos below.
Purpose
Ribav-extra is a universal non-toxic root-forming preparation used for indoor and outdoor growing of orchids. Created for:
- pre-sowing treatment of seed material in order to increase germination, increase germination energy and seed survival in the substrate;
- root treatment of seedlings to accelerate rooting and development of the root system and ensure better survival of young orchids when planting and replanting;
- foliar treatment of the vegetative parts of the flower by spraying and watering at the stage of active growth in order to strengthen the plant’s immunity and increase their resistance to viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases;
- protection from stress at all stages of vegetative development;
- gradual removal of orchids from dormancy with a general trend of slower growth;
- rejuvenation of old plants;
- restoration of the green mass of flowers after its loss as a result of overdrying or freezing and after damage to the foliage by pests, which improves the overall appearance of orchids and increases the number of flowers.
The best time to use Ribav-extra for phalaenopsis is the initial stage of growth, characterized by a low concentration of microorganisms in the root system - endophytes, which act as producers of active stimulating substances for flowers. The use of a growth regulator at the beginning of orchid growth also leads to an increase in the insufficient amount of phytohormones.
