Silicon Solution as Nute Supplement?

[ZoBudd]

I was discussing some high temp challenges I'm having with my friends at the local hydro store and -- in addition to a number of great suggestions that I won't go into -- they recommended using a silicon solution as an addition to the nutes when I water to help the plants deal with the heat a little better. New to me, so I thought I'd ask folks if it works.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Zo

 

[az2000]

In veg, silica makes stronger stems, tougher leaves. Makes plants resistant pests, heat, drought, etc. It's also extremely high ph, so it can reduce the amount of ph-up you use.

Not sure how beneficial it is in flower. I use it into mid flower. I've read it may not be wise to use in late flower because dry silica is unhealthy to inhale. Some people believe it could collect in flowers and smoked. I don't know if that's true.

But, it's definitely beneficial in veg. I start feeding about 1-2ml/gal at week 2.

 

[ZoBudd]

In veg, silica makes stronger stems, tougher leaves. Makes plants resistant pests, heat, drought, etc. It's also extremely high ph, so it can reduce the amount of ph-up you use.

Not sure how beneficial it is in flower. I use it into mid flower. I've read it may not be wise to use in late flower because dry silica is unhealthy to inhale. Some people believe it could collect in flowers and smoked. I don't know if that's true.

But, it's definitely beneficial in veg. I start feeding about 1-2ml/gal at week 2.

Great Input!!! Thanks AZ! Good to know about the ph. I'm also really interested in how it actually works at the biological level. I'm nerdy that way. Any suggestions?

 

[Silky Shagsalot]

i've been using pro-tekt for a very long time. perfect for ph up. unless i screw up on ph up (pro-tekt) i never use ph down...

 

[ZoBudd]

i've been using pro-tekt for a very long time. perfect for ph up. unless i screw up on ph up (pro-tekt) i never use ph down...

I actually came home with some pro-tekt concentrate. BTW I'm growing in soil: Roots 707 and using all organic nutes.

 

[az2000]

I'm also really interested in how it actually works at the biological level. I'm nerdy that way. Any suggestions?

"How do plants absorb silica." (<<link to google search)

 

[Silky Shagsalot]

i use it every grow, good stuff...

 

[Cobnobuler]

Ditto for Pro-tekt

 

[BluJayz]

SI increases and balances the uptake of nutrients; strengths cell structure, increases stress resistance and stimulates the plants immune system.

To effectively use Si, it's important to understand that plants have a defined biological sequence of nutrient uptake. That starts with Boron, which stimulates the root system to leach sugars into the medium. These sugars feed the microbes, which transform silicates (Si) into bio-available silicic acid through a process called sillicification. Silicic acid enhances Calcium uptake, followed by Organic Nitrogen (from L-amino acids), Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium.

These elements should be present in a bio-available form to plants. If one nutrient in this sequence is not available (or less available), the uptake of all other elements in the sequence is more difficult or missed. It is very important to respect the sequence in order to avoid mineral deficiencies and//or uptake problems.


That being said, the sillicification process can take weeks, or even months to occur naturally in any meaningful amount. For the shorter indoor growing cycles (vs outdoor) your are going to need bio-available Si and that won't be cheap; but well worth it if your completing the cycle.

 

[Michiganja Meduana]

Where do you get it? And who makes a Silica that doesn't tamper with the Ph? I'm not messing with it until they fix that.

 

[churchhaze]

An silicon cures cancer, and it helps you quit cigarettes, and it's fat and carb free, and and and....

Silicon may or may not do anything at all, it's expensive, and gets silicon (glass) in your weed.

I know a lot of experts swear by silicon, but focus on N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe

 

[DemonTrich]

pro tek silicon user here, only in veg and 1st week in flower.

 

[BluJayz]

Silicic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in healthy soil environments. While silicon is the second most abundant mineral in the earth's crust, its not readily absorbed into biological tissues in common forms. (potassium silicate, calcium silicate, sillica, etc). Silicon is often found in larger molecules that cannot penetrate cell walls.

The most common agriculture input forrm of silicon are potassium silicate (K2SiO3) and calcium silicate (Ca2SiO4). Much of the naturally occurring silicon is in the form of silica (SiO2). These forms when unprocessed are not bio-available to plants.

So there is plenty of it, it just takes microbes a long time to break it down and make it bio-available. So unless you are recycling soil it needs to be bio-available from the bottle.

I know Aptus makes a whole line of bio-available nutes for large scale agriculture. I heard they now sell small bottles to "plant hobbyists". I heard somewhere around $100+ per bottle with an 8 bottle line. (including the base)