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Comment by Idaho Spud on December 11, 2012 at 4:45pm

My first thought was wrong also, but my first google reference agrees with Joan's.  It's  http://ralph.cs.cf.ac.uk/cacti/Cactus%20and%20Alkalinity.pdf

It starts by saying:  We often hear references to desert soil being alkaline. Maybe this is because there are so many alkali dry lakes in the desert, the assumption is that desert soils must also be alkaline. Cacti in their natural habitat get their water directly from rain. These plants normally grow on a minimum of soil in rocky areas. Many appear to come out of cracks in the rock. The pH of rain is acidic due to the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolving in the rain water. It is this water that the cacti prefer. 

 

Comment by Sentient Biped on December 11, 2012 at 2:52pm

Amer,

All I can say to that would be via googling on it, so your guess is as good as mine.

Humic acid is part of what is in humus, which is one of the important parts of compost.  I use lots of compost in all of my gardening, but I have not used purified humic acid.

All I can think of is to follow the label instructions.  I don't think it will hurt anything, but I'm not familiar with it.

This is from one web site:  

Humic acids - the fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water under acidic conditions (pH < 2) but is soluble at higher pH values. They can be extracted from soil by various reagents and which is insoluble in dilute acid. Humic acids are the major extractable component of soil humic substances. They are dark brown to black in color.

I don't know that humic acid would acidify soil so much as bring it closer to the middle.  It buffers the soil.  It would take a chemist to explain that.  also info here.

Hope that's a little helpful!

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 11, 2012 at 1:55pm

Amer, I don't grow cactus but Dallas and Sentient Biped do. Perhaps they can give you some clues about when and how much to give. My guess, just on principle, is that cactus do not require acidic fertilizer. Oh Boy! I could be very wrong on cactus culture so don't trust my word. Much as I would like to speak with some knowledge.

What I am going to do now is Google "cactus culture", or "cactus management". 

The Cultivation Page about growing cacti & other succulent plants

Oh! I was wrong! Jeez! I really love it when I find out I am wrong and have a more accurate bit of knowledge. This article states, "Most cacti and succulent plants prefer a slightly acidic compost (pH6). If in doubt, this is the best choice for most species, but also avoid watering with strongly alkaline tap water. Simple, affordable pH meters are sold in many garden centres."

This article is really full of information and easy to access specific information. 

 

CACTUS CULTURE FOR AMATEURS  This is an old publication from England, but it is chuck full of information instructing Brits on how to grow cactus. "as in the case of almost every one of our cultivated plants, it is important to the cultivator to know something of the conditions which Nature has provided for Cactuses in those lands where they are native."

CACTUS  This is a modern cactus cultivation article. 

Well, this should get you started, and with a nice conversation with Sentient Biped or Dallas, you should be well launched. 

 

 

 

 

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 11, 2012 at 1:28pm

If the plants are dormant, you should honor that dormancy. They get their yearly rest and then come forth with full vigor during their growing season. Withhold fertilizer, except in very dilute amounts, until March or April. 
Soil is easily burned, either by heat or chemicals. If you notice ground under a campfire it is usually burned to clay and that is often what is found in archeology digs: burned soil. All living organisms are killed including plant life, seeds and roots, worms, fungus and any organic life. 

To burn with chemicals is to put too strong a dose of commonly used garden products on organic material (living material). Nitrogen is a most often seen. Have you ever noticed a lawn that has had fertilizer spread over the grass, and some grasses die? That is a chemical burn. Any acidic or alkaline fertilize has the capacity to burn leaves and roots if too much is applied. 

Comment by amer chohan on December 11, 2012 at 12:23pm

Joan, you mentioned it in your comment it would be easy to burn the soil. what is "burning of the soil"?

Comment by amer chohan on December 11, 2012 at 7:04am

Thanks Joan, what I make from all of this is to apply it in very low concentrations. I was told by the seller to do it in a water mixture. I am not in postion of experiment because my plants are in a dormancy state. Anything during this winter period effects them severly. It is not clear does Humaic acid increases soil acidity or not. One thing is for sure, my cactus are acidic loving plants. But I already use many things for the purpose and my soil is already at low PH. Further decrease would be a trouble.

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 10, 2012 at 8:07pm

Amer, I put in a "Google Alert" and I am getting responses back. Here is one that just came in:

100% Water Soluble Powder of Humic / Amino Acids and Fe Chelate

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 10, 2012 at 7:43pm

I forgot to tell you that Humic Acid is a principal component of humic substances, the major organic components of soil in peat bogs, stagnant lakes; It comes from brown water ponds and is made from decomposing dead organic matter. Its common use is as a soil supplement in gardens. I do buy bales of humus when I am building up my acid gardens. 

 

Comment by Joan Denoo on December 10, 2012 at 6:52pm

Humic Acid's Role in Improving Soil Quality and Plant Growth

I don't know what kind of effect it has on plants; I have not used Humic 50%. 

If I were you, I would go to a good local nursery to find out how to properly apply it, what amounts, and what season, or call your county extension people. They are great help for me.

There is a way to make a liquid foliar spray with Humic acid, but I don't know how much you should dilute it. If you have an out-of-the-way garden, you could experiment but remember, it's major effect will be on soil, and it would be easy to burn the soil. 

I keep part of my borders acidic and the other alkaline and choose plants for those areas. 

Here are some basic information sites that may, or may not answer your specific questions. 

Garden how-to-test-soil-pH

or 

How to test soil pH

Acid-Loving Plants

Comment by amer chohan on December 10, 2012 at 8:13am

Comment by amer chohan 2 seconds agoDelete Comment

On a friend's prescreption I bought a 4kg fertilizer bag containing 50% Humic acid as main costituent. If someone has previous experience with Humic acid. If so then

1. What kind of effect it has on plants?
2. Should I deal it as an acid or as a fertilizer?
3. Quantity and method of applying(it is in powder form).

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