Acids are Cool: Supercharging with Supplements!

Doctor Dave — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:45:00 GMT

Everyone now has the tools to diagnose nutrient deficiencies and correct them. Let’s turn our attention to the vast array of supplements that will help to supercharge our plants. While a complete hydroponic fertilizer provides everything a plant Must have in order to grow, supplements will allow your plants to go beyond just growing and help them to fully maximize their genetic potential. Even supplements that do not contain “food” can improve a plant’s performance by accelerating nutrient uptake, boosting blossoming, protecting the plant’s root system, and controlling growth habits. Today I would like to talk about two related supplements that can boost a plant’s performance by improving nutrient uptake.

Humic acid is known as a soil conditioner. It improves the quality of soil/soilless mediums by increasing their ability to retain water and helping to facilitate the movement of nutrients from one soil particle to another making the soil more evenly nutritious. In addition, it acts as a chelating agent latching onto micronutrients; as they are absorbed by the plant’s roots the humic acid-micronutrient compound effectively increases the efficiency of the plant’s uptake of these micro-nutrients. It is most associated with increased absorption of Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Manganese, and Iron.

Fulvic Acid is essentially a more refined version of humic acid. It is most beneficial in hydroponic systems. Fulvic Acid accelerates the absorption of nutrients by aiding the transport of these nutrients through the pathways by which they enter the plant. Fulvic Acid essentially grabs hold of immobile or heavy molecular compounds and streamlines their absorption. It is most associated with increased absorption of the same elements as Humic acid but also Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. They are transported into the plant tissue faster and easier, resulting in more rapid growth & bigger yields. Fulvic acid also allows plants to thrive in higher ppm nutrient solution, effectively cutting down on the risk of over-fertilization.

Both Fulvic and Humic Acid are safe to use in all stages of plant growth from cutting to bloom.

Humic Acid Products:

HUMEGA by Botanicare
H-2 by Advanced Nutrients
Europonic Fossil Fuel
Liquid Karma by Botanicare
All GH Floralicious products (Floralicious Plus has a Fulvic acid base)
Diamond Black by General Organics (aka. GH)
Flora Nova by General Hydroponics has added Humic acid

Fulvic Acid Poducts:

Diamond Nectar by General Hydroponics
F-1 by Advanced Nutrients

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Acids are Cool: Supercharging with Supplements!