So there is a good chance I would see a significant increase in yield by the use of silicic acid? All other factors being the same?
NO.
Even though Cannabis
is an "accumulator" [I list it as it's considered a "dynamic accumulator" of nutrients] (plants species relationship to Si are broken into 3 groups, Accumulators - intermediates - non accumulators), it does not increase yield weight by any "serviceable" amount from use. Vs. other "accumulators" such as grass's do. These would include things like Rice, Wheat, Rye, Oats etc. (I use a spring field fertilizing with available Si for such grains that we plant. Mostly Wheat, Rye and Oats. This is done organically). Oddly enough, tomato's are a "non accumulator"
but, use of Si amendment of tomato's
does increase flower and fruit
set, in soils that are deficient in Si availability. For this reason, the hydro farming of tomato's, does include use of silica's to increase yields!
Why do I apply Si to grain crops (grass's)? To give the plant a stronger shoot (stem). This results in less falling over (called "Lodging") to wind or rain.
You lost me when you started quoting high times. I consult with people with degrees in horticulture, bio-chem and farm management. They'd all disagree with your assertions.
As far as density/mass and my fluffy/airy buds due to problems with my "technique";
I have an aversion to HT myself, although I have had a
working relationship with them in the past.
How nice for your consulting. Your consulting with another of those now. I assure you, I am not making "assertions". I doubt
very greatly, They would disagree with what I have posted.
Maybe so for some "wording" but in end meaning,
NOT!
In reality, the "over use" of Si in cannabis growing can make your final product harder to break apart for consumption. Even the continual use of a pH "up" product,
will effect this resulting issue.
It will also be a big contributing cause of darker/heavier ash!
Do you want that?
Observation: In use of Si vs. not in cannabis growing over the years. I have found no significant increase in the ability of the plant to better hold up the fruit/flowers in heavy producing strains. They
still require the
same amount of support as in same strain plants not supplemented with Si. One must remember that cannabis is a broad leaf plant and
not a "grass" plant.
The use of Si does increase to a point (best observed in Rice), yields in grass plants. In scientific research. It is found to be
not very much at all, in by far, the
vast majority of broad leaf plants!
In cannabis, it is beneficial to blocking toxic levels of aluminum and some other heavy metals in a lesser degree. Do you have high levels of heavy metals in your soils or waters? You can see why knowing your Hvy metal levels in your nutrient line can be important..eh?
Potassium Silicate isn't very available to the plant without the help of soil bacteria that is absent in most hydroponic systems. For hydroponics you would need to use silicic acid which is ridiculously expensive but is readily taken up by the plant.
NOT TRUE! You might think my wording to be harsh, it's
not.
I'll post this from a another site as I'm getting tired of typing replies to this discussion. (please note, I did not say argument!)
" If you have ever grown hydroponically and thought that your plants seemed a little weaker or more susceptible than previous crops grown in soil, it may be due to a lack of Silicon.
Hydroponic feeds do not contain Silicon in any noticeable quantity, if at all. The reason for this is that for Silicon to stay soluble, it requires a high pH – greater than 7. Unfortunately it cannot be included in a normal, hydroponic two-part feed as it would react with the other components present and this would most likely lead to a nutrient deficiency
For Silicon to be used as an available additive for your plants, it needs to be kept separate from the basic feed. You could even think of it as your third part to go alongside your usual two-part feed.
Plants can only absorb Silicon in the form of monosilicic acids, these occur naturally as mineral Silicon is broken down and dissolved into water. In hydroponic applications, the most common form of Silicon additive is Potassium Silicate."
Silicic acid is simply the best
available form of Si, and is the general name for a family of chemical compounds containing the element
silicon attached to oxide and
hydroxyl groups. It is created in a process called
hydration. This occurs naturally in contact with waters. Thus, potassium silicate is effective in use with hydro methods of growing.
Let me take a moment to touch on the "resistance" effect of Si on preventing PM or bug attacks. It does but, with that said. If you had plants with and without Si supplementation. You would find that those supplemented,
will succumb in to the problem in 2-3 days later then the ones not. PM is a bitch and mites will attack stressed plants because they (the plants) give off a pheromone that attracts them. With that news. It would serve you better to not have "stressed" plants. It's simple to say, "keep your plants happy and suffer less problems!"
I do not consider this as an argument, it is simply a discussion of the effective use of Si products and their relationship to cannabis growing.
You have been civil and not inflammatory/insulting or accusing. At least, I'm not going to take anything that way!
This has resulted in a
quality thread on Si use....
