Have you ever wondered why for some people the use of plant additives are non-negotiable in their crop? Buckle up, because we are going to review the world of additives: what they are, how to use them and when to use them. In addition, we will also review the Atami additives that will take the quality and quantity of your next crop to the next level. Keep reading and discover all their benefits!
What are Plant Additives? Do I Need to Use Them?
If my plants already give good harvests, why should I mess around with plant additives? Picture using plant additives like drinking a protein shake after a workout. If you train consistently, you know you’ll see results. But if you want to see even better results and improve faster, you might need a boost.
It’s the same for plants.
They will do fine without additives, but by using them correctly they will outperform your previous results without them.
Plant additives are products that contain a mix of essential elements and other beneficial substances that will help your plants reach their full potential. Stick around and we’ll tell you in more depth what types of additives exist and when to use them.
Additives 101: What’s in the Green Toolbox?
From root stimulators to flowering stimulators, enzymes to sugar supplements, the list is long. The important thing is that each type of additive will play a specific role in the development of your plant. And Atami will have one – or more 😉 – for you. Let’s have a look!
● Root Stimulators: Give your plants a boost at the start of the cycle or after transplanting, and watch those roots grow stronger than ever! Root game is the game that you need to win to have better results. These products will support a better root development, helping the plant to grow more root hairs, which are main responsible for nutrient uptake. Often without NPK, but with some essential elements, humic substances and amino acids are the main components that make these products work.
● Atami’s choice: We said these products usually don’t have NPK but then, we created Rootbastic. This product is one of a kind and contains biostimulants and NPK that will feed your plants while stimulating root production.
Root Stimulator is a trusty one. Its formula contains amino acids, humic acids and plant extracts that support rapid and vigorous root growth. Rootfast also contains a good amount of phosphorus together with the presence of humic acids and amino acids, making Rootfast a truly complete product. Root – C is the root stimulator from the Atami range for organic growers. It provides the same as the others, but with a higher concentration of organic substances which favors a richer soil life as well as root growth.
● Flowering Stimulators: These additives are our allies during the early stage of flowering. It’s like giving the plants a starter pack with all the necessary for kicking out a great bloom! Again, no NPKs, but with the necessary microelements and humic substances in the required proportion to have a positive effect on the plant’s readiness to flower. Thus, we flowering to produce more flowers and to start sooner.
● Atami’s choice: Bloom Stimulator will promote the onset of flowering and make it more intense and long-lasting, allowing an explosive production of dense and compact flowers. And if you grow in coco the solution for you is Coco Bloom Stimulator! Then we have ATA-XL which is a special product that acts as a growth fertilizer and a bloom stimulator. On the more natural side of Atami, you can find Flower-C, with the same effect as Bloom Stimulator but designed for the organic grower.
● Flowering Enhancers: These ones are game-changers. While the former had no NPKs, the latter usually have very high concentrations of phosphorus and potassium. These two elements are key for the formation and ripening of large, aromatic and heavy flowers and fruits. Flowering booster, aroma boosters.
● Atami’s choice: We love flowering enhancers as the flowering phase is for us an exciting period in the life cycle of the plant and we want to enhance it. If this is also your goal then you have to try our mineral and organic cocktails, Bastics. If you don’t love Bloombastic it’s because you haven’t tried it yet. This all-in-one additive will stimulate and boost flowering like no other. Its green version is Bi-Bloombastic, which is a must if you grow organic-minded cultivator. On the other hand, Rokzbastic is a finisher that will provide plenty of potassium for heavier, denser flowers. Something simpler, but effective is Blossom Builder, this mineral booster will achieve great results with low doses. And finally, the golden ratio to boost flowering, PK 13-14 will provide what your plants need, and it’s affordable for all budgets.
● Flavor enhancers: Their name says it all. They are additives designed to improve the organoleptic properties, i.e. the taste and flavor, of your crop.
● Atami’s choice: Here, Flavor takes the cake. This high potassium, beet molasses-based flavor booster will delight everyone who uses it, literally, by enhancing the natural flavors, aromas, and sugar content of your final crop. A very valuable addition.
● Overall Health Boosters: These kinds of additives are your plant’s “daily vitamins”, enhancing your plant’s health throughout the entire cycle. Some are also designed to be used at specific times, when the plant is subjected to certain types of stress, or when transplanting, pruning, etc… in this way you reinforce the health of the plant so that it can better cope with the effects of stress.
A good example of this are supplements with silicon, vitamins, or algae-based additives.
● Atami’s choice: From silicon supplements such as Silic Boost to Boosters Uni or algae-based supplements such as Alga-C, they all have the same mission: to prepare and strengthen the plant to overcome the effects of stress, both abiotic and biotic. Each one has its own way of achieving this, depending on its composition, click on the links to find out more about each one and the benefits they can bring to your crop, which are not few.
● Powerful Enzymes: If you haven’t heard about the wonders that enzymes can do for your crop, and especially for your soil, you’ve missed out on a great ally. But don’t worry, very summarized for you to understand: In general, enzymes are complex proteins that help speed up and carry out various chemical processes, such as the breakdown of organic matter.
● Atami’s choice: That’s what the enzymes in Atazyme do. This type of enzymes mediates and accelerate the decomposition of dead root substrate into usable organic compounds for the plant which also reduces the risk of diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
● Nutrient supplement: Another type are those supplements that provide certain elements when the plant shows signs of some kind of deficiency, the most commonly used being calcium and magnesium additives.
● Atami’s choice: Calmag is a professional and fast-acting calcium and magnesium additive, applicable on all types of substrates. This additive is ideal when used for cultivation with soft or demineralised water. And also, it is a great addition when growing in coco substrates, which can tend to be deficient in these secondary nutrients. It includes Iron, so Calmag will help to reduce different deficiencies using only one product.
How to Use Plant Additives?
Now, you might be wondering, “How do I sprinkle this liquid magic on my plants?” Fear not! The application time depends on the type of additive.
Pro Tip: Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the right dose. Remember to shake each bottle vigorously, use a clean pipette for dosing and mix the nutrient solution very well before watering the plants… and enjoy! Creating your nutrient solution is like doing a little alchemy for stronger, healthier and more productive plants, don’t you feel that way a little sometimes?
● Root Stimulators: Introduce these incredible helpers at the beginning of the cycle or post-transplantation for that root growth spurt. Start during the first 1-2 weeks until the veg phase kicks in.
● Flowering Stimulators: When your plants are getting ready to flaunt their blooms, bring in the flowering stimulators. Usually, you should start in the earlier blooming phase when you detect that flowers are beginning to form.
● Flowering Enhancers: Flowering boosters should be used when flowering is already underway, during the last 4-6 weeks. This way we give the plant what it needs to improve flowering and subsequent fruit production.
● Overall Health Boosters and Nutrient supplements: As we explained above, depending on the type you’ll want to use them during the whole cycle, or just when your plant needs an “extra push”. Anyway, add these all-rounders and your plants will thank you with robust health and juicy fruits.
Now You’re Ready to Dive In and ATAMI Has Your Back!
If you’re looking forward to joining the additive party after all (and why wouldn’t you be?), then take a look at our website and discover the partner for your next successful crop. We have a whole arsenal of plant additives at your disposal, the perfect combination for your crop is just a click away. Happy growing!
