Gibberellic acid (Ga3)

Gibberellic acid (Pronounced “Jib-er – illic”) is a very potent hormone whose natural occurrence in plants controls their development. It was first discovered in Japan in 1935 as a result of a study of “Foolish Seedlings Disease” which caused rice plants to grow much taller than normal.

With very small amounts, Gibberellic acid (GA) can enhance normal growth and quickly produce much larger, greener plants. At moderate concentrations (sprayed on seeds) GA can have a surprising effect on their development and growth. Some will germinate at a highly increased rate, other variations of seeds will begin to grow much differently than untreated seeds. Still other varieties will produce only slight changes in development.

As the amount of Gibberellic acid is increased, the change in plants become quite remarkable. At higher concentrations, plant growth becomes almost uncontrolled, producing incredibly large ‘mutated’ looking plants that have little resemblance to the original plant. Some will grow so tall, so fast, that the stalk will not support the plant, and some sort of wooden or metal support will have to be fashioned to prevent the plant from falling over and breaking.

In well-known Department of Agriculture experiment, Walnut trees were treated with small concentration of Gibberellic acid. In one season, the growth rate for the control group (the untreated trees) was 1.5 feet. For the trees treated with Gibberellic acid, growth averaged 8.5 feet.