Diatomaceous earth feeding. silica?
- Thread starter DSinatra
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RockinDaGanja
Well-Known Member
Is that decomposing granite?
I wonder if it's as assimilable as what's in bottled supplements. I think that stuff has been broken down somehow. For example, GH ArmorSI says it's silicon dioxide derived from potassium silicate. I wonder how that compares to whatever DE is.
(I'm growing without silica to see if I notice a difference. I thought I did when I began using it. But, now I wonder if it was the potassium that comes with silica supplements. I'm supplementing with potassium (langbeinite). I'll see what happens.).
Regarding DE, someone posted recently that they amend DE into their soil for it's nutrient value. They mentioned calcium. I forget what else. It was in the last 10 days.
RockinDaGanja
Well-Known Member
Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas.
Silica is very common in nature and makes up 26% of the earth's crust by weight. Various forms of silica include sand, emerald, quartz, feldspar, mica, clay, asbestos, and glass. Silicon, a component of silica, does not exist naturally in its pure form. It usually reacts with oxygen and water to form silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide has two naturally occurring forms: crystalline and amorphous. Most diatomaceous earth is made of amorphous silicon dioxide. However, it can contain very low levels of crystalline silicon dioxide. The first pesticide products containing silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth) were registered in 1960 to kill insects and mites.
Silica is very common in nature and makes up 26% of the earth's crust by weight. Various forms of silica include sand, emerald, quartz, feldspar, mica, clay, asbestos, and glass. Silicon, a component of silica, does not exist naturally in its pure form. It usually reacts with oxygen and water to form silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide has two naturally occurring forms: crystalline and amorphous. Most diatomaceous earth is made of amorphous silicon dioxide. However, it can contain very low levels of crystalline silicon dioxide. The first pesticide products containing silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth) were registered in 1960 to kill insects and mites.
RockinDaGanja
Well-Known Member
Some smart dude wrote that not me. I was just answering my own question.
But there's always Green Sand that probably has the highest amount of usable silicon available to your plants. I think with silica its something That has to be broken down into your soil mix.. a soil amendment as opposed to feeding don't know if that makes since.
But there's always Green Sand that probably has the highest amount of usable silicon available to your plants. I think with silica its something That has to be broken down into your soil mix.. a soil amendment as opposed to feeding don't know if that makes since.
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mmmmbrownies
Active Member
use it... mostly for controlling gnats and it's pretty cheep so if I get a bump in silica cool.
now i am pretty sure some organic process needs to break the DE down so it might be best as a supplement added early in a compost.
now i am pretty sure some organic process needs to break the DE down so it might be best as a supplement added early in a compost.
chuck estevez
Well-Known Member
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Diatomaceous-Earth_vq21.htm
Hydroponics[edit]
Freshwater diatomite can be used as a growing medium in hydroponic gardens.
It is also used as a growing medium in potted plants, particularly as bonsai soil. Bonsai enthusiasts use it as a soil additive, or pot a bonsai tree in 100% diatomaceous earth. Like perlite, vermiculite, and expanded clay, it retains water and nutrients, while draining fast and freely, allowing high oxygen circulation within the growing medium.
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Alienwidow
Well-Known Member
Amend the soil with it if you want. Topical applications dont do much for bugs. Its a before thought in all aspects unless your useing liquids but it will (raise?) roll PH numbers pretty good. Liquids make cool spinning sparkles in the water when mixing it in. 
i havent seen substantial benifit useing it.
i havent seen substantial benifit useing it.
chuck estevez
Well-Known Member
What happens to diatomaceous earth in the environment?
Silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth. It is the second most abundant element in soils. It's a common component of rocks, sands, and clays. It is also abundant in plants and plays a role in their growth and development. Due to its chemical makeup, diatomaceous earth is not degraded by microbes or by sunlight. Also, it does not emit vapors or dissolve well in water.
The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth. Many marine organisms use it to build their skeletons.
seems like it would be very hard to get anything beneficial, silica wise from DE
Silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth. It is the second most abundant element in soils. It's a common component of rocks, sands, and clays. It is also abundant in plants and plays a role in their growth and development. Due to its chemical makeup, diatomaceous earth is not degraded by microbes or by sunlight. Also, it does not emit vapors or dissolve well in water.
The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth. Many marine organisms use it to build their skeletons.
seems like it would be very hard to get anything beneficial, silica wise from DE
DSinatra
Well-Known Member
No it's Like fossils