I've been growing for a long, long time and have worked in the industry for a long time also.
Here is the real truth:
Advanced Nutrients reverse engineers its formulas from other already current mariuana nutrient companies. The first ones they RE were from Holland, then they kept the cycle going with GH and others.
I have experimented with a lot of nutes over the years and I do use some of the AN line but I have been switching over to other brands as of late and actually getting better results.
-GH's base nutes M/G/B is a better product period.
-Dry Flower Product's Liquid Gold is a better Fulvic acid period
-Heavy Weight (for soil grows) is a MUCH better carb additive than "the original"
Bud Candy wich does 100% change the taste and smell of the original weeds smell and taste ( i like the real taste and smell of mj why change it!)
-B vitamins: use any brand than is specific for mj..again a RE product from Advanced.
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Big Bud in powder form is better than the liquid by far but again there are a lot of similar products made by other nute companies that are derived from the same product sources and in similar ratios.
-Overdrive is a good end of cycle calix booster but there are others that do the exact same thing like
MOAB, Monster, etc.
-Enzymes and bacteria: I re use soil so these additives are a definite benifit but there are lots on the market that are similar. I do only use Advanced bacteria and fungi though.
Voodoo-they claim it's pure magic..well I did a grow with it and a grow completely without it and didn't notice a difference at all not one bit. My root mass was identicle so wtf?
The truth: get good at experimenting with different variations/ratios of your base nutes and bloom enhancers and you will absolutely max out your yield and product quality in a good grow environment.
Good nute companies stick around if they weren't producing good results they wouldn't last so ask yourself this: why are there still the same old excellent nute companies still around?
The truth: I know two guys that work for AN and use their own schedule of food mixed up of nutes from different companies like I now do so why do you think that is!?