
← Hydroponics Daily29 Dec 2025 · 8 min
Don't Get Ripped Off: How to Choose Microbial Biostimulants
Dr. Russell Sharp explains how to choose and use microbial biostimulants for hydroponics, focusing on production/expiry dates, manufacturer credibility, and the trade-offs between liquid and powder formulations.
He recommends trusted suppliers (Legume Technology, Omex/Biomex, Symbiom, Koppert's Trianum P), suggests starting with Bacillus blends and Trichoderma, and advises using seaweed extracts, humic acids and mild fertilizers to feed, not kill, microbes.
https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/
Ben Lugtenberg — Leiden University
Jos M. Raaijmakers — Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
Corné M. J. Pieterse — Utrecht University
Paola Bonfante — University of Turin
Ian R. Sanders — University of Lausanne
Toby Kiers — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Uta Paszkowski — University of Cambridge
Marcel G. A. van der Heijden — Agroscope
Jan Jansa — Agroscope