Why bottled silica?
- Thread starter SuperHemp
- Start date
PeteWeedSeed
Member
Hmmm soil grower huh
Well I would not pour sand into my res... that's just silly
Well I would not pour sand into my res... that's just silly
CrumpleZone
Member
I'm guessing that it's because at normal reservoir temps it's not very soluble in water. Think Quartz crystals, or glass.
E
el Dream Reader
I've been thinking about this as well, here's what I found on the subject.
silicon PDF
How is Silicon Used by Plants?
Plants can only absorb water and the minerals that dissolve in it. Silica (sand) is very insoluble.
Therefore, plants cannot absorb silicon in sand or glass form. Rather, silicon is typically absorbed
as monosilicic acid, H4SiO4, (also called “orthosilicic acid”) which is typically present in soils at
levels around a hundred times more than available phosphorus. Silicon is deposited as silica in the
cell walls, giving structural rigidity and strength. This presumably allows plants to better resist
damage or attack that involves tissue penetration. Since most fungal diseases require initial
penetration of the outer epidermis, strengthening this protective layer will logically provide better
resistance to various diseases. This may indeed be the case, since silicon deficiency produces
plants that are dramatically more susceptible to attack by fungal pathogens. This is dramatically
demonstrated in rice plants, where silicon is deposited as a thin layer of nearly insoluble silica just
below the waxy coating over the cell wall of the outer epidermis (skin). To penetrate the leaves, a
pathogen must get through the wax (no problem), then penetrate this hard, rigid layer of silica
mineral, before it even reaches the cell wall. Most (87 to 99%) of the silicon in rice plants exists as
an insoluble form of silica in rice hulls, leaf blades, and leaf sheaths. Here it provides rigidity, and
helps minimize water loss, as well as presenting a hard barrier to fungal pathogens and insect
pests. VAM plants growing in acid soils usually have higher silicon concentrations than
nonmycorrhizal plants. These higher silicon levels appear to reduce the toxicity of high levels of
page 2
manganese and aluminum, which are usually soluble in acid soils. Different species of VAM fungi
appear to differ in their abilities to enhance silicon acquisition.
silicon PDF
How is Silicon Used by Plants?
Plants can only absorb water and the minerals that dissolve in it. Silica (sand) is very insoluble.
Therefore, plants cannot absorb silicon in sand or glass form. Rather, silicon is typically absorbed
as monosilicic acid, H4SiO4, (also called “orthosilicic acid”) which is typically present in soils at
levels around a hundred times more than available phosphorus. Silicon is deposited as silica in the
cell walls, giving structural rigidity and strength. This presumably allows plants to better resist
damage or attack that involves tissue penetration. Since most fungal diseases require initial
penetration of the outer epidermis, strengthening this protective layer will logically provide better
resistance to various diseases. This may indeed be the case, since silicon deficiency produces
plants that are dramatically more susceptible to attack by fungal pathogens. This is dramatically
demonstrated in rice plants, where silicon is deposited as a thin layer of nearly insoluble silica just
below the waxy coating over the cell wall of the outer epidermis (skin). To penetrate the leaves, a
pathogen must get through the wax (no problem), then penetrate this hard, rigid layer of silica
mineral, before it even reaches the cell wall. Most (87 to 99%) of the silicon in rice plants exists as
an insoluble form of silica in rice hulls, leaf blades, and leaf sheaths. Here it provides rigidity, and
helps minimize water loss, as well as presenting a hard barrier to fungal pathogens and insect
pests. VAM plants growing in acid soils usually have higher silicon concentrations than
nonmycorrhizal plants. These higher silicon levels appear to reduce the toxicity of high levels of
page 2
manganese and aluminum, which are usually soluble in acid soils. Different species of VAM fungi
appear to differ in their abilities to enhance silicon acquisition.
BirdManFlyHigh
Member
dont give up just yet my friend wait for the soil growers.
wow- i was just reading an article a couple days ago about how to make a water soluble silica that i was going to make and try out on some basil plants to check for toxicity before using in my rez. http://chemistry.about.com/od/makechemicalsyourself/a/make-sodium-silicate.htm
Sounds like a lot of trouble with some caustic chemicals.
My idea has been to fill an igloo water jug with silica sand, put water in the top, and take it from the bottom filtered and with a possible silica charge. Possibly add some activated charcoal to get rid of the chloride as well.
My post on invisivile (invisible) glass covers a silica spray for external use.
My idea has been to fill an igloo water jug with silica sand, put water in the top, and take it from the bottom filtered and with a possible silica charge. Possibly add some activated charcoal to get rid of the chloride as well.
My post on invisivile (invisible) glass covers a silica spray for external use.
