{"id":87434,"date":"2022-09-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:23:43","slug":"what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/","title":{"rendered":"What are humic acids and where are they found?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More and more growers are enjoying the benefits of using <strong>humic acids and fulvic<\/strong> <strong>acids <\/strong>to ensure better crops. Although both components are created in the same environment, they <strong>have different properties<\/strong>. In order to understand the role of the two types of acids in cannabis plants culture, read all the information below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ade6e5968cd7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contenido<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ade6e5968cd7\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/#Humic_acids_what_are_they_and_where_do_they_come_from\" >Humic acids, what are they and where do they come from?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/#What_benefits_do_they_bring\" >What benefits do they bring?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/#How_to_apply_them\" >How to apply them ?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/#Main_differences_between_humic_and_fulvic_acids\" >Main differences between humic and fulvic acids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/#Effects_of_humic_acid_in_the_soil\" >Effects of humic acid in the soil<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Humic_acids_what_are_they_and_where_do_they_come_from\"><\/span>Humic acids, what are they and where do they come from?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Humic acids are complex molecules<\/strong> that come from organic matter\u2019s decomposition, both animal and vegetable, and feed the various microorganisms present in the soil. It is possible to find these acids in earth humus after years of decomposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most humic acids on the market come from leonardite, a <strong>humidified plant substance<\/strong> in an intermediate state between peat moss and lignite. It is characterised by its high richness and because it is easy to find; usually <strong>in the upper layers<\/strong> of open-pit coal mines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humic acids are <strong>obtained by dissolving an alkaline extractor <\/strong>of the same  material origin, a black liquid rich in humic and fulvic acids is obtained. Usually, it is in a liquid state but sometimes it is also solid.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/acidos-humicos-en-el-cannabis.jpg.webp\" alt=\"humic acids\" class=\"wp-image-55140\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_benefits_do_they_bring\"><\/span>What benefits do they bring?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humic acids offer various benefits to any type of culture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increases the <strong>absorption of nutrients<\/strong> due to its chelating property.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitates <strong>water retention and soil<\/strong> drainage, as well as aeration, increasing porosity and promoting root growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improves substrate&#8217;s CEC <\/strong>(Cation Exchange Capacity) , which allows for longer retention of nutrients, while saving on fertiliser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thanks to the <strong>accumulation of these acids<\/strong>, NPK fertilisers are more efficient, reducing the application but obtaining the same results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It favours the cell division and the transport of nutrients to the cells, so it <strong>reaches the most important points of the crop<\/strong> without problems. All this translates into a stimulation of the metabolism and a more satisfactory growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They contribute to a <strong>healthy microbial activity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce <strong>toxins absorption<\/strong> from the soil by the plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promote <strong>photosynthesis and resistance<\/strong> to pests and diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase harvest&#8217;s quality by providing a better physical appearance and a major organoleptic value, as well as increasing the cell walls of the buds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_apply_them\"><\/span>How to apply them ?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humic substances offer multiple benefits both in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/136-growing-media-substrates\">soil<\/a>, by simply adding the necessary organic matter, and in a powder fertiliser such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/boom-nutrients-nutes\/6035-humic-boom.html\">Humic Boom<\/a> from Boom Nutrients. Likewise, there are different formulations that encourage its dissolution in water and application through watering or spreading on the ground. In addition, foliar application is also an option.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"rlbp rlbp--grid rlbp--single ppgbo_row\"     data-rlbp-list=\"blog:what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\"     data-rlbp-post=\"87434\"\n     data-rlbp-slug=\"what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\"\n     data-rlbp-cart=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/index.php?fc=module&#038;module=rlblogproducts&#038;controller=cart\"\n     data-rlbp-host=\"www.gbthegreenbrand.com\"\n          data-rlbp-ff=\"0\" data-rlbp-locale=\"en-US\"\n     data-rlbp-t=\"{&quot;adding&quot;:&quot;Adding\\u2026&quot;,&quot;cart&quot;:&quot;View cart&quot;,&quot;oos&quot;:&quot;Out of stock&quot;,&quot;error&quot;:&quot;Could not add&quot;,&quot;add&quot;:&quot;Add to cart&quot;,&quot;ship_free&quot;:&quot;Free shipping&quot;,&quot;ship_from&quot;:&quot;Free shipping from \\u20ac0&quot;,&quot;ship_left&quot;:&quot;%s left for free shipping&quot;,&quot;ship_done&quot;:&quot;\\u2713 Your order ships free&quot;,&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%s\\\/seed&quot;,&quot;goto&quot;:&quot;Product %1$d of %2$d&quot;}\">\n        <div class=\"rlbp__frame\">\n                <div class=\"rlbp__track\">\n                            <div class=\"rlbp__item product rlbp__item--hover\" data-rlbp-id=\"6035\" data-rlbp-ipa=\"98710\"\n                     data-rlbp-url=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2J0aGVncmVlbmJyYW5kLmNvbS9ib29tLW51dHJpZW50cy1udXRlcy82MDM1LWh1bWljLWJvb20uaHRtbA==\"\n                                          data-rlbp-item=\"{&quot;item_id&quot;:&quot;Boom Nutrients&quot;,&quot;item_name&quot;:&quot;Humic Boom&quot;,&quot;price&quot;:4.5,&quot;item_brand&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;item_category&quot;:&quot;Boom Nutrients products&quot;,&quot;item_variant&quot;:&quot;98710&quot;}\" data-rlbp-currency=\"EUR\">\n                    <span class=\"rlbp__badge\">-20%<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"rlbp__img clickproducttitleblog rlbp-o\" role=\"link\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rlbp-u=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2J0aGVncmVlbmJyYW5kLmNvbS9ib29tLW51dHJpZW50cy1udXRlcy82MDM1LWh1bWljLWJvb20uaHRtbA==\" data-rlbp-blank=\"1\">                                                                            <img class=\"rlbp__pic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/45163-home_default\/humic-boom.jpg\" alt=\"Humic Boom\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"low\">\n                                                                            <img class=\"rlbp__pic2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/45164-home_default\/humic-boom.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"low\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                                                    <\/span>                    <div class=\"rlbp__body\">\n                        <div class=\"rlbp__info\">\n                        <span class=\"rlbp__name product_name clickproducttitleblog rlbp-o\" role=\"link\" tabindex=\"0\" data-rlbp-u=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2J0aGVncmVlbmJyYW5kLmNvbS9ib29tLW51dHJpZW50cy1udXRlcy82MDM1LWh1bWljLWJvb20uaHRtbA==\" data-rlbp-blank=\"1\">Humic Boom<\/span>                                                                            <div class=\"rlbp__stars\">\n                                <span class=\"rlbp__star\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2605<\/span>\n                                <strong>5.0<\/strong>\n                                <span class=\"rlbp__count\">(8 reviews)<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                                        <div class=\"rlbp__price\">\n                            <span class=\"rlbp__now\">\u20ac4.50<\/span>\n                            <del class=\"rlbp__old\">\u20ac5.63<\/del>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"rlbp__pills\" role=\"radiogroup\" aria-label=\"Choose option\">\n                                                                    <button type=\"button\" class=\"rlbp__pill\" role=\"radio\" aria-checked=\"true\" data-v=\"98710\" data-p=\"\u20ac4.50\" data-pv=\"4.5\" data-n=\"0\" data-o=\"\u20ac5.63\" data-d=\"20\" data-i=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/45163-home_default\/humic-boom.jpg\" data-u=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2J0aGVncmVlbmJyYW5kLmNvbS9ib29tLW51dHJpZW50cy1udXRlcy82MDM1LWh1bWljLWJvb20uaHRtbA==\">700 g<\/button>\n                                                                    <button type=\"button\" class=\"rlbp__pill\" role=\"radio\" aria-checked=\"false\" data-v=\"98711\" data-p=\"\u20ac14.00\" data-pv=\"14\" data-n=\"0\" data-o=\"\u20ac17.50\" data-d=\"20\" data-i=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/45164-home_default\/humic-boom.jpg\" data-u=\"aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2J0aGVncmVlbmJyYW5kLmNvbS9ib29tLW51dHJpZW50cy1udXRlcy82MDM1LWh1bWljLWJvb20uaHRtbA==\">3.5 kg<\/button>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                                            <div class=\"rlbp__buy\">\n                                                                                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"rlbp__btn verproducto clickaddtocartblog\" data-rlbp-add>Add to cart<\/button>\n                                <div class=\"rlbp__cartmsg\" aria-live=\"polite\" hidden><\/div>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_differences_between_humic_and_fulvic_acids\"><\/span>Main differences between humic and fulvic acids<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most growers apply both acids at the same time, so they <strong>tend to be related in most cases<\/strong>. However, although they are very similar, there are some characteristics that differentiate them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Colour<\/strong>. Humic acids are darker in colour and fulvic acids have more yellowish tones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water retention<\/strong>. Major for humic substances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Higher carbon concentration<\/strong> in humic acids.<br>Higher molecular weight, due to the chemical reaction that generates bonds between molecules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solubility<\/strong>. The former tend to precipitate, because unlike fulvic acids, they are not soluble in basic solutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The time of action of humic acids is constant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>CEC of humic acids is higher<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/acidos-humicos-cultivo.jpg.webp\" alt=\"humic acids in cannabis crops\" class=\"wp-image-55141\" title=\"humic acids in cannabis crops\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Effects_of_humic_acid_in_the_soil\"><\/span>Effects of humic acid in the soil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humic acids are responsible for the texture and its hydric properties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Heavy clay soils<\/strong>: increases permeability, helps aerate and improves structure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Light sandy soils<\/strong>. With a lack of organic matter, it increases the CEC and the water retention capacity, preventing the loss of nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Acid soils<\/strong>. They neutralise them by immobilising certain toxic elements, such as aluminium or heavy metals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alkaline soils<\/strong>. They buffer high pH, increasing the <strong>availability of microelements<\/strong> and trace elements for plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dry soils<\/strong>. Increase moisture holding capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saline surfaces<\/strong>. Increasing cation exchange results in the release of cations and the formation of chelates, binding cations such as calcium and magnesium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Humic acids can considerably improve the<\/strong> soil, bringing great benefits to the plants in which they are used. Its application is very simple and is suitable for all crops; in fact, currently there are <strong>different products<\/strong> containing this type of components.<\/p>\n<div style='text-align:center' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More and more growers are enjoying the benefits of using humic acids and fulvic acids to ensure better crops. Although both components are created in the same environment, they have different properties. In order to understand the role of the two types of acids in cannabis plants culture, read all the information below. Humic acids,\u2026 <span class=\"leermas\" onclick=\"window.location.href='https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-are-humic-acids-and-where-are-they-found\/'\">Continue reading<\/span ><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":82254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[254],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-marijuana-crops"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":1,"sum_votes":5},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87434"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":245385,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87434\/revisions\/245385"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}