These Grow Additives ARE NOT Required! (But Increase Yield)

The Dude Grows Show59mApril 15, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

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.

Key Takeaways
1

Biostimulants are not plant food—they stimulate natural plant processes like hormone production and stress responses.

2

Kelp, chitosan, fulvic acid, and beneficial microbes are proven biostimulants with measurable benefits for growth and resilience.

3

Always test biostimulants using A/B testing with the same strain and baseline nutrients to measure real impact.

4

Fulvic acid enhances nutrient uptake due to its small molecular size, making it ideal for indoor grows.

5

Chitosan triggers systemic acquired resistance (SAR), helping plants defend against pests and pathogens.

…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

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.

2:00
3 min

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.

5:00
5 min

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.

10:00
10 min

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.

Highlight
20:00
10 min

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.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
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.
Scotty45:58
Viral: 90.0
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.
Granbo16:38
Viral: 88.0
Kelp is the fastest growing plant in the world. It uses sunlight and has these hormones that just contribute to your crazy growth rate.
Granbo34:50
Viral: 85.0
Speakers

Hosts

ScottyGranbo

Guest

Granbo
Topics Discussed
Biostimulants95%Plant Nutrition90%Kelp Extracts88%Fulvic Acid87%Microbial Inoculants86%Chitosan85%Grower Testing & A/B Testing83%Cannabis Regulation & Policy78%
People & Brands

Scotty

person

150xPositive

Granbo

person

130xPositive

Kelp

other

45xPositive

Fulvic Acid

other

35xPositive

Chitosan

other

30xPositive

DGC Cup

other

25xPositive

Real DGC

organization

20xPositive

Trichoderma

other

20xPositive

Humic Acid

other

15xNeutral

IBA

other

10xNeutral

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