What's the "best" humic acid supplement?

[jerry111165]

http://www.bioag.com/

Like most folks suggested, go with the Bioag products. Many humic/fulvic products on the market are "extracted from leonardite". Stay away from these if you can. Bioag uses different extraction methods and are simply high class.

jerry.

 

[jerry111165]

Not that "Nondual" made a bad suggestion, by any means. I guess Im just partial to Bioag and have heard/read that the leonardite based humics/fulvics are not as good - but then again Im not a scientist.

 

[Nondual]

Not that "Nondual" made a bad suggestion, by any means. I guess Im just partial to Bioag and have heard/read that the leonardite based humics/fulvics are not as good - but then again Im not a scientist.

Well I think part of it is the right tool for the right job and what is it you're trying to achieve in your particular situation/application. I've sat with Dr. Faust and also had the opportunity to chat with John Kempf at AEO and Lawrence Mayhew who heads an industry organization of people in the humic/fulvic business. Dr. Faust made a comment about one of his products and said just putting it on a field of say barley would do no good unless you also threw on some urea. In sandy soil something like an extract would not work well whereas Huma-Carb would kick ass. That stuff works amazingly well and it has to do with the particle size and available surface area. I mean do the math for the difference between 1 15 micron particle and that same volume filled with 1 micron, and less, particles and look at the surface area difference...yikes! I mean these are nano sized particles and that's why it works so well. A whole humate product that works well as a foliar! Humic and fulvic acids are also being liberated in his proprietary milling process. I know how it's done and very cool.

Yeah Dr. Faust uses a bacterial fermentation for his fulvic product and pretty sure he said an electrolysis process for his humic extracts. The conventional acid/alkaline extraction process denatures humic acids but can't remember about fulvics. Humic acids are extremely sensitive to pH changes and actually change shape or structure as if they are alive. I think the New Mexico deposits are higher in fulvic acid. Leonardite products work. John's customers would not keep buying his stuff unless they were getting results and he does not recommend something to someone just because he carries it or manufactures it. He creates a program custom for what they are growing and based on their environment and soil testing.

Huma-Carb, over time, will build soil in a similar way that something like biochar will. Anyway I think it's the right tool for the right job. Lot's of good products out and just which one is best for a particular situation. Huma-Carb has valuable properties that extracts don't and vice versa. It's still amazingly versatile.

 

[GeorgeSmiley]

My local farm supply gets their from these guys http://www.earthcrew.com/contents.htm I pay$11 for a pound and its dilution rate is 1tsp/5ml per 5gallons of water. (1ml per gallon)

I was told by someone that many nutrient companies use this particular humic in their supplements and nutrients. Ans some sell it exactly as it is just re branded.

I think you can get tera vita from simlicitea site
http://www.simplici-tea.com/humic_acid.htm

Cheers
gs

 

[Karmic Farmer]

Lotta suggestions! Thanks, all. Time to do some product research. The dry humic products are intended as soil amendments before hand? I have a few acres I might like to treat soon, so I appreciate the suggestions towards not only indoor soil but outdoors.

- Mr.S

They can be used many ways. As soil amendments, foliar sprays, mixed with nutes, spread over acreage dry or mixed with water, and good teas can also be brewed.

Peace,
KF

 

[Iffy]

Would Bio-Char be of any use in the short term, at least until your compost is ready??

http://biochar.pbworks.com/w/page/9748043/FrontPage

 

[squatcrayon]

Try Dirt M.D.

 

[BugJar]

bioag for sure.

I have used quite a few and bio ag's stands out

 

[xmobotx]

i have been checking bio-ag out myself; only used a couple times so far as it's a new product for me

trying ful-power and TM7 & both seem to be well received but no long term results or real data yet

by comparison; i do have/have been using DTE's humic acid ~it's not the same thing/the TM7 gives the praying leaves and seems to have an explosive effect on growth

 

[growcodile]

Leonardite check it <-- really informative on the benefits of humid acid

Here its 50lbs for under 30 bucks 85% Ha's

best tip on whole thread to save $$$ for diluted products

 

[FatherEarth]

Longtime user of BioAg's fulvic and humic just thought I would explore other avenues, cheaper and seemingly equal or better quality...

Ive got some of this on the testing schedule, only takes 1 tsp to make a gallon, I bought a lb for 14$
http://www.ferti-organic.com/products/fulvic-acid/

I have a couple Kg of the humisolve Im still going through, lol lasts forever seems like.
I also have a gallon of Humacarb Ill be giving a try next go around.

Advancing Eco- Agriculture has an awesome line up, I think I picked up most of them. Ill be taking them for a well documented test drive...

 

[BugJar]

there is a company around here that has a dry soluble humic that is something CRAZY high percentage wise. most likely sketchy

 

[milkyjoe]

I am really liking the Ferti Organic stuff.

 

[squatcrayon]

I am not sure the statement that "leonardite extracted humic products are in any way inferior to some other methods" is completely accurate. There is really no consistency on the quality of humic products as no one method for determining it's quality is universally adapted or accepted.

No one has been able to offer a comprehensive molecular structure of humic acids, with most structures offered being educated guesses at best. Scientists in Europe (Alessandro Piccolo) have been working for a long time trying to figure out the exact structures and chemical properties for humic substances but the progress is slow.

I would recommend just doing side-by-sides and comparing the benefit you get from a certain product based on the application rates and price point. Everything else is for the most part not defined, IMHO.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Bump, this is true. I took it on the word of others that Leonardite extracted humic substances are inferior. I use BioAGs "TM-7" once in a while but more regularly use their Ful-Humix, their dry Fulvic/Humic acid supplement in foliar spraying. I've tried to go light on it but still have seen some slight twisting post-spray of leaves.

 

[Smoking Lamp]

I have heard that fulvics are compositionally bigger in acid soils that are frequently drained.

Doesn't this describe soil growing in pots? Acid soil, check, watering 1-3 days [calcium loss] check.

The source is from Texas A&M.

 

[Granger2]

Let's not overlook Botanicare Liq. Karma. Has both humic and fulvic. Regardless of your opinion on PBP, etc., many people hold up Karma as one of the best products available on the Horticulture market. Other ingredients and benefits also. -granger

 

[Iffy]

Let's not overlook Botanicare Liq. Karma. Has both humic and fulvic. Regardless of your opinion on PBP, etc., many people hold up Karma as one of the best products available on the Horticulture market. Other ingredients and benefits also. -granger

Not much 'bang for your buck' though as only 0.5% Humic content. It may be an amazing product in it's own right, I'm just saying there are far more cost-effective ways of adding Humic/Fulvic acids.
Happy growing

 

[CT Guy]

there is a company around here that has a dry soluble humic that is something CRAZY high percentage wise. most likely sketchy

Labeling laws differ by state regarding humic acid %. I know CA has weird laws about it.

The stuff I've been using for years is 85-90% humic acid by content. 1/8th tsp per gallon of water. I use the LC-10+7 on my most important plants.

http://www.simplici-tea.com/humic_acid.htm

or www.teravita.com

I will vouch that it's a reputable company/manufacturer.

 

[Iffy]

I found this company online, referred by Jaded1.
Great product line and extremely cost effective compared to hydro store ready-mixed.

http://www.viresco-uk.com/