What are Humates? Shrub Doctor uses formulas that are loaded with Humic and Fulvic acids. Whats this all about?
Humates come from decomposed prehistoric matter. They contain at least 70 trace minerals that are necessary for plant health. As plants decompose, they first form peat, which then turns into humate, then lignite, then leonardite and finally to coal. Because humate was once a living organism, its properties are quickly absorbed into the plant.
Humates contain humic and fulvic acids. Humic acids are negatively charged. They bind to positively charged ions of the trace minerals in the humus, and in the soil within the root zone. It benefits the plant by grabbing the minerals locked up in the soil, and also the nutrients in “just applied” fertilizer, and holds them in the rootzone until they are utilized. “It basically keeps the nutrients from leaching away from the plant until they are used.” Its like a storage locker for the plant. Fulvic acids are very small molecules. They are also loaded with oxygen. Because they are so small, they can easily move through the cell wall, and enter the cell of the plant. “Fulvic acids are the carriers of nutrients. They transport the nutrients to the plant.” In other articles, Shrub Doctor mentions the benefits of utilizing foliar applications when treating your plants. Its the “fulvic acids” that allow the plant to absorb the organic formula so quickly. Shrub Doctor also mentioned carbon, and its benefits to the soil microbes. Fulvic acids are the “carbon carriers” in the fertilizer.
