These Grow Additives ARE NOT Required! (But Increase Yield)
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In this episode of The Dude Grows Show, host Scotty and guest Granbo dive deep into the world of biostimulants—products that don't provide nutrients but instead stimulate plant growth and resilience. They clarify that while plants only need 17 essential nutrients (NPK and micronutrients), biostimulants like kelp, chitosan, trichoderma, fulvic acid, and microbial inoculants can significantly enhance yield, stress resistance, and terpene production. The hosts emphasize that biostimulants are not 'plant food' but rather tools that trigger natural plant responses—such as hormone production, defense mechanisms, and improved nutrient uptake. They break down key biostimulants, highlighting kelp’s proven benefits, chitosan’s role in systemic resistance, and fulvic acid’s ability to boost nutrient efficiency. The duo stresses the importance of A/B testing with new products, using baseline nutrient regimens before introducing additives. They also reflect on the cannabis community’s innovation, the challenges of regulation, and the irony of anti-drug funding in Florida. The episode closes with a lighthearted look at unnecessary grow gadgets and a shoutout to the DGC Cup and the growing community.
Biostimulants are not plant food—they stimulate natural plant processes like hormone production and stress responses.
Kelp, chitosan, fulvic acid, and beneficial microbes are proven biostimulants with measurable benefits for growth and resilience.
Always test biostimulants using A/B testing with the same strain and baseline nutrients to measure real impact.
Fulvic acid enhances nutrient uptake due to its small molecular size, making it ideal for indoor grows.
Chitosan triggers systemic acquired resistance (SAR), helping plants defend against pests and pathogens.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & The Biostimulant Debate
Hosts Scotty and Granbo kick off the episode with humor and energy, teasing the idea that 'shoes' (a metaphor for additives) aren't necessary for plants. They introduce the core topic: biostimulants—what they are, what they're not, and why they matter.
What Plants Actually Need
The hosts clarify that plants only require 17 essential nutrients—NPK and micronutrients—emphasizing that everything else, including biostimulants, is supplemental. They debunk the myth that biostimulants are 'food' and explain the science behind plant nutrition.
The Science of Biostimulants
They break down the eight recognized categories of true biostimulants, including humic/fulvic acids, kelp extracts, chitosan, and microbial inoculants. Granbo shares his research on how these substances trigger plant hormones and defense responses.
Kelp: The Proven Performer
“Kelp is the fastest growing plant in the world. It uses sunlight and has these hormones that just contribute to your crazy growth rate.”
Chitosan & Trichoderma: Defense & Hormones
“When they sense that, they're like, holy crap, we get ready for an attack, man. There's bugs coming. I can smell them in the air.”
“The federal government accidentally legalized weed. And if you went hard on that, that means that you just have an unregulated open market to do what you want.”
“When they sense that, they're like, holy crap, we get ready for an attack, man. There's bugs coming. I can smell them in the air.”
“Kelp is the fastest growing plant in the world. It uses sunlight and has these hormones that just contribute to your crazy growth rate.”
Hosts
Guest
Scotty
person
Granbo
person
Kelp
other
Fulvic Acid
other
Chitosan
other
DGC Cup
other
Real DGC
organization
Trichoderma
other
Humic Acid
other
IBA
other
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