SILICON+ ??? (pic)
- Thread starter rucon
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Kush Out The Ass
New Member
I don't know the concentration of that solution. I use Dyna-Gro's Silicon at 1/2 tsp per gallon hydro.
eza82
Well-Known Member
What did you want to know ?? I have done much research before I touched the stuff, have now used it for years - here is what I found.
SILICA:
Why is silica so important for your plants?
Various research projects conducted over the past 40 years (coupled with regular feedback from users of SilikaMajic) have shown that the presence of silica (SiO2) in plant tissue produces many beneficial side effects:
+ Increased stem strength and rigidity - once silica is taken up by the roots, it is deposited in the plant’s cell walls as a solid silica matrix equivalent to quartz. This structure produces stronger and more rigid cell walls and hence a ‘mechanically’ stronger plant. This enables better leaf orientation for receiving light which in turn enhances photosynthesis and growth rates.
+ Improved healing of pruning wounds - silica enables pruning wounds to heal more quickly and neatly. This property is especially beneficial in commercial cropping of plants such as tomato and cucumber where regular pruning threatens the plant's survival.
+ Increased fruit weight - accumulation of silica in plant cells can result in higher fruit weight.
+ Increased leaf strength - improved resistance to wilting, particularly noticeable during hot weather. + Increased tolerance to high salinity - silica has been shown to reduce problems arising from nutrient toxicity (e.g. sodium, chloride) and/or imbalance.
Why silica additives are needed in hydroponics
The silica (SiO2) content in the leaves (etc.) of 'soil grown' plants ranges from 1-10% of their dry weight. This silica is potentially supplied from both the feed water and the soil:
Feed water: Natural (i.e. uncontaminated) waters commonly contain around 5 mg/L soluble silica. Hence soil grown plants potentially enjoy a feed of soluble silica each time the plant is watered.
Soil: Sand is composed largely of silica, therefore, the roots of soil grown plants are immersed in a potential "silica reservoir". Although this form of silica is very insoluble it does dissolve slowly - especially with alkaline waters.
However, plants grown in hydroponic systems without soluble silica supplements, typically contain much less silica in their cells. This occurs because, unlike soil grown plants, silica is virtually absent at the root-zone:
Recycling systems: Once the plant consumes the silica present in the make-up water, no more silica is available. Of course if either rainwater or RO (reverse osmosis) water is used, no soluble silica is present.
Inert mediums: Unlike 'soil', inert mediums are unable to yield silica.
Research shows that the absence of silica in hydroponics can cause plant health to be less than optimum.
*Note, silica cannot be included in concentrated nutrient formulations because stable silica solutions are by nature highly alkaline. It must therefore be added separately.
When to use Silica?
Silica should be used from seed to harvest: Consistent with predictions based on silica’s general insolubility, electron microscopy and x-ray analysis both confirm that once deposited, silica can no longer be redistributed within the plant. Consequently to benefit all growing areas of the plant, silica must be present at all times in the nutrient solution.
Come check out my research may save you a bit of time
HORMONES/PGR`s/VITIMANS - RESEARCH THREAD ONLY.
EZA82
SILICA:
Why is silica so important for your plants?
Various research projects conducted over the past 40 years (coupled with regular feedback from users of SilikaMajic) have shown that the presence of silica (SiO2) in plant tissue produces many beneficial side effects:
+ Increased stem strength and rigidity - once silica is taken up by the roots, it is deposited in the plant’s cell walls as a solid silica matrix equivalent to quartz. This structure produces stronger and more rigid cell walls and hence a ‘mechanically’ stronger plant. This enables better leaf orientation for receiving light which in turn enhances photosynthesis and growth rates.
+ Improved healing of pruning wounds - silica enables pruning wounds to heal more quickly and neatly. This property is especially beneficial in commercial cropping of plants such as tomato and cucumber where regular pruning threatens the plant's survival.
+ Increased fruit weight - accumulation of silica in plant cells can result in higher fruit weight.
+ Increased leaf strength - improved resistance to wilting, particularly noticeable during hot weather. + Increased tolerance to high salinity - silica has been shown to reduce problems arising from nutrient toxicity (e.g. sodium, chloride) and/or imbalance.
Why silica additives are needed in hydroponics
The silica (SiO2) content in the leaves (etc.) of 'soil grown' plants ranges from 1-10% of their dry weight. This silica is potentially supplied from both the feed water and the soil:
However, plants grown in hydroponic systems without soluble silica supplements, typically contain much less silica in their cells. This occurs because, unlike soil grown plants, silica is virtually absent at the root-zone:
Research shows that the absence of silica in hydroponics can cause plant health to be less than optimum.
*Note, silica cannot be included in concentrated nutrient formulations because stable silica solutions are by nature highly alkaline. It must therefore be added separately.
When to use Silica?
Silica should be used from seed to harvest: Consistent with predictions based on silica’s general insolubility, electron microscopy and x-ray analysis both confirm that once deposited, silica can no longer be redistributed within the plant. Consequently to benefit all growing areas of the plant, silica must be present at all times in the nutrient solution.
Come check out my research may save you a bit of time
HORMONES/PGR`s/VITIMANS - RESEARCH THREAD ONLY.
EZA82
sagensour
Active Member
I can already hear the babies on this site cryin about this thread. To answer the question, if you want to use silicon, you must buy a good rep. silicon and use it per the labels instructions. I use it and find the strains im running loves the Rhino Skin. Anyways good luck.
sagensour
Active Member
Yes. In soil. Use half strength as it usually carriers lots of k. I'd rather say to foliar and some soil application through the grow. peace SS
