The Chain of Deficiencies

It’s easily understood, that removing colored marbles from a large jar reduces the marbles in the jar, and continually removing marbles, without putting any back, will eventually empty the jar. Conversely, taking more of one color than the rest of the colors will deplete that color much more quickly. To make an analogy, consider each marble represents a specific soil nutrient, based on its color, that is, all red marbles represent a specific soil nutrient, all blue another, etc. We now have a jar full of different colored marbles or in this scenario, various soil nutrients.

Removing the colored marbles from the jar demonstrates how growing plants removes soil nutrients during its life cycle. This is referred to as “mining the soil”. If there is no replacement of the nutrients, the soil becomes deficient in nutrients. Deficient soils produce deficient plants that in turn, produce nutrient deficient food. Deficient food creates deficiencies in the human body.

It is well documented that deficiencies in even the seemingly least important soil nutrient can have a very noticeable negative effect on the individual plant and overall crop production. The simple answer is to continuously replace the soils nutrients before and during the growing of crops, trees, indoor plants, etc., and keep the soil in peak condition.

The best replacement of nutrients is with nutrients developed by nature; thus being as organic and natural, as possible. This assures the growth of healthy plants and nutritious foods. This should be everyone’s goal when growing plants, or purchasing food… which is to promote locally grown, nutrient rich, plants and food products, in as eco-friendly manner as possible.

Humate Technologies Inc’ 40+ years of research and development addresses this problem through their organic humate based soil conditioners, plant food tablets and fertilizer products that contain over 70 natural nutrients.

Humaform®, our base formula for all Humate Technologies products, is specially formulated with virgin organic humates, other organic and inorganic compounds that specifically address the requirements for a balanced soil, healthy plants, and nutritious food crops. Our products further enhance the moisture holding capacity of the soil, reducing watering requirements up to 50%, promote beneficial bio-life within the soil, and increase plant cell structure and natural nutrients that prevent and correct nutrient deficiencies.

Happy Plant® tablets are eco-friendly, and specifically address the need to supply and perpetually replenish natural nutrients to the soil, plants, and food crops, on a long-term basis.

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How to Read a Fertilizer Label

To be a fertilizer, by law, the contents must include at least one of the following ingredients, and they should always be stated in a sequence of three numbers, i.e. 1-1-1.

  1. The first number represents the percentage of NITROGEN in the product.
  2. The second number represents the percentage of PHOSPHATE in the product.
  3. The third number represents the percentage of POTASH in the product.

If the fertilizer does not contain any phosphate or potash the numbers would read i.e. 10-0-0, or if the fertilizer does not contain nitrogen the number might read 0-10-10.

The label will list where each ingredient is derived from. (20-5-10) Nitrogen 20% is derived from urea. If there are any minerals, i.e. zinc or manganese in the fertilizer, they are listed as secondary nutrients and must be identified by their percentage in the product.

If the product contains manure, sewer sludge, or compost (in most cases marked as organic, but having small amount of nutrients), the label should indicate type and amount. However, some states do not require this. The percentages may add up to only 60% of the total bag. The balance is a carrier like sand or other inert type. The higher the ingredients, the less carrier used.

Happy Plant® is 100% nutrient product. There is no sludge, compost, manure, carrier, or inert in any of the Happy Plant® fertilizers. If you have a question about a label or product, email us, and a technician will answer your question.

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How to Grow Organic Tomatoes

Organic gardening may require a little more work, but the result and pure, sweet flavor of an organic tomato is worth it.

You’ll Need:

  • Certified organic tomato seeds
  • Happy Plant® tablets
  • Organic potting soil
  • Biodegradable starter pots
  • Watering can
  • Soak-hose
  • Organic top soil

Place organic soil with one or two Happy Plant® tablets into biodegradable starter pots. Soil should be moistened but not overly saturated with water. Place up to three organic tomato seeds per pot and cover with ½” soil.

Place pots on a sunny window sill and keep soil moist. Check pots daily to make sure the soil does not dry out too much. When the seeds sprout, continue to water the plant and watch for signs that the tomato plants are getting enough nutrition. If the leaves are very pale or turn yellow, this is usually a sign that the plant needs more Happy Plant® tablets.

Plant the tomato outside in soil that has been tilled and prepared with organic topsoil. Do this only when the outside temperature is no longer in danger of freezing and you organic tomato plants are at least 4″ high or higher. Plant them about 7″ apart. Use of the biodegradable starter pot allows you to plant pot and all. Make sure you can bury it deep enough to cover the plant past the top of the pot.

Lay your soak hose close enough to the stems so that the water will reach the root system of the tomato plants. Soak hoses are not necessary but preferred because tomatoes don’t like water left on the leaves. Water on the tomato plant leaves can lead to scorching or fungal growth. Soak hoses gently water the soil around the plant.

Place tomato cages over each plant, if desired. This will help keep the plants from drooping as they grow.

Harvest tomatoes when they are firm and fully colored. If left on the vine too long they may “crack and split”, so pick them often. “Pink” tomatoes can be picked and left on a window sill to ripen.

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Happy Plant Test on a Fern

I arrived home June 20, 2009, after being away for five months to find my fern completely brown and dry. I pushed a tablet into the soil and watered on June 21, 2009. The first photo was taken eight days later and as you can see it was already growing new green leaves. The fern has continued to grow and get fuller by the day.

June 29, 2009

July 7, 2009

July 13, 2009

July 31, 2009

August 10, 2009

August 20, 2009

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