Question
I know what you're thinking, they could die if you fertilize them because of their sensitive roots. This is a different form of Fertilizer. On the United Nuclear Chemical and Metals page (URL: http://unitednuclear.com/chem.htm) Gibberellic Acid is defined:

"Gibberellic Acid is a very potent plant growth hormone. Very tiny amounts have profound and surprising effects on plants. Lettuce for instance, which grows in a small ball on the ground, can grow into a 10 foot tall 'tree' when a small amount of Gibberellic Acid is applied to the seedling. Varying amounts do different things and different plants will produce different results. Very tiny  amounts are used, and a little goes a long way. Now sold with a convenient spray bottle and concentrated liquid. Easily diluted to any strength desired."

Since the majority of Carnivorous plants prefer acidic conditions, and because this acid is called a plant hormone (natural to the plant?) I was wondering if it could be used on plants and seedlings to promote growth or on seeds to help some of the plants which getting seeds to grow can be difficult.

Answer
Hi Remag,

Gibberellic acid is routinely used to get seeds that require stratification to germinate without the cold or heat period.  When used on regular plants they will grow faster as long as they have adequate nutrients.  Therein lies the problem when used on carnivorous plants.

We tried some gibberellic acid in 2004 on several species such as sundews, Mexican butterworts, and Nepenthes.  The results were disasterous on all of them.  Carnivorous plants have such specialized nutrient uptake adaptations that they were not able to absorb the nutrients quickly enough.  The results were similar to being sprayed with glycophosphate (Round-up).

I would say that if you experiment, be sure it's on a plant your not afraid to loose.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com