Boosters & Additives
Take your yields further with our range of nutrient boosters and additives, including PK boosters, cal-mag supplements, root stimulants, and flowering enhancers from Athena, Shogun, Hydrotops, Monkey Nutrients, SUPERthrive, and Growth Technology. Whether you're targeting bigger flowers, stronger roots, or better resin production, our additive range covers every stage of the grow cycle.
What boosters and additives actually do
Unlike base nutrients, which supply your plant's core ongoing nutritional needs, boosters and additives are designed to be layered on top of a base feed to target specific outcomes — bigger flowers, stronger roots, better stress tolerance, or improved final quality. None of these products are meant to replace your base nutrient; they work alongside it, added at specific points in the grow cycle for a specific purpose.
The main categories of additive
- PK boosters (like Athena PK, Shogun PK Warrior, Monkey Nutrients PK 9/18) — supply extra phosphorus and potassium during flowering, when demand for these nutrients peaks
- Cal-Mag supplements (like Athena CaMg, Shogun CalMag, Monkey Nutrients Cal-Mag) — correct calcium and magnesium deficiencies, especially important with RO water or coco growing medium, both of which strip these minerals naturally
- Root stimulants (like Hydrotops Root Stimulator, Monkey Nutrients Root Shot) — support early root development, typically used at transplant or early in the vegetative stage
- Flowering/yield boosters (like Shogun Sumo Boost, Monkey Boost) — bio-stimulants that trigger enhanced flowering response and increased metabolic activity
- Flush/finishing products (like Athena Fade, Hydrotops Flush) — nitrogen-free formulas used in the final 1-2 weeks before harvest to clear residual nutrient salts from plant tissue
When to start adding boosters
Timing matters significantly with additives — most PK boosters and flowering enhancers are designed for a specific window (commonly weeks 3-4 of flowering onward), not the entire grow cycle. Adding a PK booster too early can throw off your base nutrient's carefully balanced ratios; adding it too late means missing the peak demand window. Always check the specific product's recommended usage window rather than assuming "more is better" or "earlier is better."
Root-zone health additives
A separate category worth understanding is root-zone and system-cleaning products, like Hydrotops Bactivator (beneficial microbes) or Shogun Zenzym (enzyme-based root zone cleaner). These don't feed your plant directly — they maintain a healthy growing environment, breaking down dead root matter or introducing beneficial microbial life that improves nutrient uptake indirectly.
FAQ
Can I use boosters from a different brand than my base nutrient?
It's generally safer to stick with one brand's full nutrient line, since additives are formulated to complement that brand's specific base nutrient chemistry. Cross-brand mixing can occasionally cause unexpected EC or pH behaviour.
Do I need every type of additive, or just a few?
No grow needs every additive available — most experienced growers pick 2-4 additives that address their specific goals (e.g. a PK booster plus a cal-mag supplement) rather than using the entire range simultaneously.
Can I overdose on boosters?
Yes — concentrated additives like PK boosters can cause nutrient lockout or leaf burn if overdosed. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage rather than assuming more product means better results.
What's the difference between a "booster" and a "bio-stimulant"?
Boosters typically supply concentrated minerals (like extra P/K), while bio-stimulants (like Shogun Sumo Boost or Hydrotops Triple F) work through plant hormone or microbial pathways to trigger a growth response, rather than directly feeding the plant with minerals.