Brandon Rust

Brandon Rust Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Brandon Rust, Educational consultant, 5120 N Santa Fe Avenue, San Diego, CA.

owner of FulCrop Sciences and Educational consultant in regenerative agriculture and controlled-environment cultivation, specializing in soil biology, humic and fulvic acids, and microbial systems.

03/12/2026

Can you run biologicals through a mobile fogger?
💨
YES! We have successful colonization!
🌱
For info on DM them!
🌱
Results at end of the video!

02/20/2026

:Magnesium — The Engine Behind Photosynthesis & Plant Energy ⚡🌿

If your plants are pale, slow, or losing vibrancy…
It might not be nitrogen — it’s often magnesium.
This single element sits at the center of plant energy production — literally.

Magnesium (Mg) is the central atom in chlorophyll, meaning every photon your plant captures depends on magnesium being present and available. No Mg = no efficient photosynthesis 👇

☀️ 1. Photosynthesis Power Core
Magnesium drives light absorption and energy conversion. Deficiency slows carbohydrate production, reducing growth, vigor, and yield potential.

⚡ 2. Enzyme Activation & Metabolism
Mg activates 300+ plant enzymes, controlling:

Sugar production & transport

ATP energy transfer

Protein synthesis

Nutrient assimilation

It’s a metabolic regulator, not just a nutrient.

🚰 3. Nutrient Mobility & Balance
Magnesium helps move phosphorus and carbohydrates through the phloem.
It also balances calcium and potassium — too much of either can suppress Mg uptake.

🍃 4. Deficiency Signs
Because Mg is mobile, symptoms show in older leaves first:

Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins)

Leaf curling

Reduced vigor

Premature leaf drop

Pro Tip 🔧
Need a fast correction?
Run a foliar spray:
1 tablespoon magnesium (Epsom salt) per gallon of water
Apply 1–2× per week until color and vigor return.
Foliar delivery bypasses root antagonism and restores chlorophyll quickly.

Magnesium isn’t optional — it’s the core of plant energy, metabolism, and nutrient flow.
Keep it balanced, and your plants stay green, efficient, and productive.

Comment MAGNESIUM for a full guide and a link to the newest podcast

02/16/2026

Entomopathogenic Fungi — The Microbial Assassins of the Insect World 🦠🪲”

What if you could control pests without chemicals…
Without resistance…
And without harming your soil biology?

Enter entomopathogenic fungi — microscopic predators that infect and eliminate insects from the inside out.

These beneficial fungi are nature’s biological pest control system. Instead of poisoning insects, they infect them directly — turning the pest itself into the host. Here’s how they work 👇

🧫 1. Contact Infection
Unlike bacteria that must be ingested, entomopathogenic fungi infect on contact.
Spores land on the insect’s exoskeleton, germinate, and pe*****te the cuticle using enzymes like chitinases and proteases.

🧬 2. Internal Colonization
Once inside, the fungus proliferates through the insect’s body cavity, consuming nutrients and releasing toxins that shut down physiological function.

🪦 3. Host Death & Sporulation
After the insect dies, fungal mycelium grows outward — producing new spores that spread to other pests.
It’s self-replicating pest control.

🌿 Common Target Pests:

Aphids

Thrips

Whiteflies

Fungus gnats

Spider mites

Beetle larvae

🧪 Key Species Used in Agriculture:

Beauveria bassiana

Metarhizium anisopliae

Isaria fumosorosea

Lecanicillium lecanii

Each specializes in different pest groups and environmental conditions.

⚡ Why Growers Use Them:

No chemical resistance buildup

Safe for soil biology

Compatible with IPM programs

Can persist in the environment

Minimal residue concerns

⚠️ Application Considerations:

Require adequate humidity to infect

Sensitive to UV degradation

Best applied in low-light periods

Work slower than chemical knockdowns

Entomopathogenic fungi don’t repel pests — they eliminate them biologically.
They’re living biocontrol agents that turn your IPM program into a regenerative defense system.

02/04/2026

Magnesium — The Engine Behind Photosynthesis & Plant Energy ⚡🌿

If your plants are pale, slow, or losing vibrancy…
It might not be nitrogen — it’s often **magnesium
This single element sits at the center of plant energy production — literally.

Magnesium (Mg) is the **central atom in chlorophyll**, meaning every photon your plant captures depends on magnesium being present and available. No Mg = no efficient photosynthesis 👇

☀️ 1. Photosynthesis Power Core
Magnesium drives light absorption and energy conversion. Deficiency slows carbohydrate production, reducing growth, vigor, and yield potential.

⚡ 2. Enzyme Activation & Metabolism
Mg activates 300+ plant enzymes, controlling:

* Sugar production & transport
* ATP energy transfer
* Protein synthesis
* Nutrient assimilation

It’s a metabolic regulator, not just a nutrient.

🚰 3. Nutrient Mobility & Balance
Magnesium helps move phosphorus and carbohydrates through the phloem.
It also balances calcium and potassium — too much of either can suppress Mg uptake.

🍃 4. Deficiency Signs
Because Mg is mobile, symptoms show in older leaves first:

* Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins)
* Leaf curling
* Reduced vigor
* Premature leaf drop

Pro Tip 🔧
Need a fast correction?
Run a foliar spray:
1 tablespoon magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) per gallon of water
Apply 1–2× per week until color and vigor return.
Foliar delivery bypasses root antagonism and restores chlorophyll quickly.

Magnesium isn’t optional — it’s the core of plant energy, metabolism, and nutrient flow.
Keep it balanced, and your plants stay green, efficient, and productive.

click the link for a FREE GUIDE about plants and magnesium!
https://na2.hubs.ly/H03sn-z0

01/21/2026

Organic Calcium Sources Aren’t All the Same — Here’s How to Choose the Right One 🧪🌱

Adding calcium is easy.
Adding the right calcium is where most growers go wrong.
Some calcium sources raise pH, some dissolve fast, and others are meant for long-term soil rebuilding — knowing the difference saves crops *and* money.

Calcium plays a structural and signaling role in plants, but how you supply it determines pH behavior, availability, and timing. Here’s how the main organic calcium sources stack up 👇

🪨Calcium Carbonate (Lime, Oyster Shell, Eggshell)

Raises pH significantly
Very **low solubility**
Best for **acidic soils** and long-term correction
Not effective for quick deficiency fixes

Use this when you’re correcting soil chemistry — not when plants are already hungry.

🌋Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate)

Does NOT raise pH
Moderate solubility
Supplies calcium and sulfur
Improves soil structure and reduces sodium issues

Great for providing Ca without changing pH and improving soil aggregation.

🧪Calcium Phosphate / Bone Meal

Slight pH increase over time
Slow-release calcium + phosphorus
Requires microbial activity for availability

Best for pre-plant soil building and biologically active systems.

💎Calcium Silicate (Wollastonite, Basalt-derived blends)

Slightly raises pH
Supplies calcium and plant-available silica
Strengthens cell walls and stress tolerance

Ideal for long-term resilience and structural strength.

🌱Liquid & Chelated Organic Calcium

Highly available
Fast acting
Minimal pH impact
Best for in-season corrections and high-demand phases

Excellent for flowering crops, foliar applications, and calcium-sensitive varieties.

🦠Biology Changes Everything
Microbes dissolve minerals, buffer pH, and shuttle calcium into roots.
Without biology, many organic calcium sources stay locked up.

* Need to raise pH? Use carbonates.
* Need calcium without pH shift? Use gypsum or chelated Ca.
* Building soil long-term? Use phosphates and silicates.
* Need fast results? Use liquid or carbon-chelated calcium.

CLICK THE LINK FOR YOUR FREE CALCIUM GIUDE
https://na2.hubs.ly/H038WBh0

01/18/2026

Gonna do a little chemistry project! I think I can make iron fulvate (organic chelated iron) with these items and the magnetic stir machine in my lab.
🌱
The idea is to use the citric acid to decrease pH of the water and use the ascorbic acid and a (antioxidant) to stop the ferric iron from oxidizing, and then introducing pure fulvic acid while blending to bind the fe2+ to the C-O-O-H (fulvic acid molecules) this should work if I have all the proper ratios and mixing protocols correct.
🌱
If everything works I should be able to test it by doing a "jar" test, I can add something like phosphorus to measure if there are any precipitation reactions that occur. If NO reactions occur or very little precipitation occurs Ill know it is stable!

🌱

01/15/2026

Amino Acids — The Metabolic Shortcut Plants Love ⚡🌱

If you’re feeding nitrogen but your plants still feel sluggish, you’re making them work too hard.
Amino acids change that. They don’t just feed plants — they save energy, speed metabolism, and unlock nutrients through biology.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but in agriculture their real value is efficiency. They let plants skip multiple metabolic steps and redirect energy toward growth, roots, and yield 👇

⚡ 1. Energy Savings Through Direct Nitrogen Use
Normally, plants must convert nitrate or ammonium into amino acids — an energy-expensive process
When you supply amino acids directly, plants can absorb and use them immediately, conserving ATP and reducing metabolic stress.

🧬 2. Amino Acid Catabolism = Fuel
Under high demand or stress, plants can catabolize amino acids breaking them down into carbon skeletons that feed:

* The TCA (Krebs) cycle
* Respiratory metabolism
* Rapid tissue expansion

This makes amino acids both **nutrients and energy substrates**.

🦠 3. Microbiology Amplifies the Effect
In the soil and rhizosphere, microbes metabolize amino acids into:

* Organic acids
* Enzymes
* Chelating compounds

These processes:

* Increase micronutrient solubility
* Improve calcium and phosphorus availability
* Strengthen root–microbe signaling

🌿 4. Enhanced Nutrient Uptake & Transport
Amino acids chelate minerals, improving mobility and absorption — especially for iron, zinc, manganese, and calcium.
They also improve phloem loading, helping sugars and nutrients move efficiently throughout the plant.

🔥 5. Stress Resistance & Growth Expression
Amino acids help plants tolerate:

* Heat and cold stress
* High EC
* Transplant shock
* Rapid growth phases

Because energy is conserved, plants express **stronger growth with less input**.

Amino acids don’t force growth — they optimize metabolism
They reduce energy waste, improve nutrient availability, and activate microbial systems that make everything work better together.

Want to know which amino acids matter most, when to apply them, and how to avoid wasting money?
hit the link below for a FREE GUIDE! https://na2.hubs.ly/H031sYX0

01/01/2026

Basalt Rock Dust — Soil Remineralization Without the Hype 🪨🌱

Basalt gets talked about like a miracle mineral…
But what does it *actually* do in soil — and when does it make sense to use it?
Basalt isn’t a fertilizer. It’s a **long-term soil regeneration tool** — and understanding that makes all the difference.

Basalt is a finely ground **volcanic rock** rich in slow-release minerals. Its power isn’t speed — it’s **durability, biology, and system-wide improvement**.

Here’s what you need to know 👇

🧪 1. Nutrient Content vs. Availability
Basalt contains calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, silica, and trace elements — but these minerals are **locked in a crystalline matrix**.
They only become plant-available through **weathering and microbial activity**, not instant dissolution.

🌱 2. Where Basalt Shines
Basalt excels at:

* Long-term remineralization
* Rebuilding depleted soils
* Supplying **plant-available silica over time**
* Improving soil structure and aggregation
* Supporting microbial diversity

This makes it ideal for **native soils, field crops, orchards, and regenerative systems** — not quick-turn container grows.

🦠 3. Biology Is the Key
Microbes and fungi produce organic acids that slowly break basalt down.
Without active biology, basalt behaves like gravel. With biology, it becomes a **mineral reservoir**.

⚠️ 4. What Basalt Is Not

* Not a fast calcium source
* Not a quick potassium fix
* Not a bloom booster
* Not effective in hydroponics

Expect results over **seasons**, not weeks.

🌍 5. Bonus: Carbon & Climate Benefits
Basalt weathering can **bind atmospheric CO₂** into stable carbonates — making it a tool not just for soil health, but for long-term carbon sequestration.

Basalt doesn’t force growth — it **restores balance**.
Used correctly, it rebuilds mineral diversity, strengthens soil biology, and improves resilience year after year.

CTA
hit the link for a FREE GUIDE and make sure to check out the YouTube podcast

https://na2.hubs.ly/H02PhDF0

https://na2.hubs.ly/H02Pftn0

12/30/2025

Kelp Meal & Seaweed Extracts — Powerful Biostimulants, Not Fertilizers 🌊🌿

Kelp gets marketed like it’s a nutrient powerhouse…
But here’s the truth: **kelp meal and seaweed extracts are not fertilizers.**
They don’t feed plants with NPK — they **tell plants how to grow better.**

Kelp and seaweed products come from marine algae rich in **bioactive compounds**, not macronutrients. Their real value is **signaling, stress tolerance, and biological stimulation** — not feeding crops.

Here’s what they actually do 👇

🧬 **1. Very Low Nutrient Value**
Most kelp meals and extracts contain only trace amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — far too little to meet plant demand.
They should never be relied on as a primary fertilizer.

🌱 **2. Plant Growth Hormones & Signals**
Kelp is loaded with natural **cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins** that:

* Stimulate root growth
* Increase lateral branching
* Delay senescence
* Improve stress recovery

⚡ **3. Stress Resistance & Resilience**
Seaweed extracts help plants tolerate:

* Heat and cold stress
* Drought
* Salinity
* Transplant shock

This is why they shine during **environmental swings**, not as nutrient sources.

🦠 **4. Microbial Activation**
Kelp polysaccharides act as **microbial food**, boosting beneficial bacteria and fungi that cycle nutrients more efficiently.

🌿 **5. Timing Matters**
Best used:

* Early veg for root development
* During stress events
* At transition points (transplant, flowering shift)

Overuse can lead to excessive hormonal signaling and soft growth — especially in flower.

Kelp isn’t food — it’s a **biological signal amplifier**.
Used correctly, it improves efficiency, resilience, and growth expression. Used incorrectly, it’s just expensive water.

CTA:
Want to know how to integrate kelp properly with real nutrition and biology? clink the link below for a FREE guide.
https://na2.hubs.ly/H02LPbH0

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5120 N Santa Fe Avenue
San Diego, CA
73118

Telephone

+16193572930

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