Silicon: An Essential Plant Nutrient?

[growerwannabe]

From March 2013, but it didn't show up in search.
http://sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu/2013/03/silicon-an-essential-plant-nutrient-2/
Interesting article about silicon.

 

[the new HG]

never really used any products such as DM silica and the likes, and have always been happy with the results. from my understanding silicon helps strengthen the cells of a plant,, making it more robust and resilient. I guess it could help,,, but ive always stuck to the moto if it aint broke don't fix it... so far I haven't seen a reason to use this product but maybe others have....?

 

[sensiman]

Well Im trying out Aptus Fasilitor they say one of the best ways to increase Calcium availability and uptake (other than chelating with amino acids) is to optimize Silicon levels in the form of Silicic Acid.

 

[sensiman]

Oh and the new try any silica (silicon) product on one of your plants and I bet you wouldn't grow with out it again. Silicon doesn't only strengthen the cell of plants it does alot more than that my friend. Since I being using it ive notice healthier, stronger, and higher yielding plants. Even the cheapest silicon products on the market will make a difference in your plants belive me.

 

[habeeb]

interesting the article says calcium silicate.. never heard of that


I also wonder, what too much will do to plant.. this is when I think of petrified forests from volcanic eruptions.. ( am I thinking of that correctly? )

I also wonder, how much in "normal" situations a plant gets into it's system in an outdoor setting

 

[SirSteely]

I use Dyna~Gro Protekt silicone solution with every feeding. I have never NOT used it. I do know that a friend of mine said my flower stalks are pretty tall (4') and pretty heavy to not be held up by nice stakes of any kind at week 6 of bloom. Iv'e found that my plants are very resilient to LST training and I havent had any problem with stem breakage, at all. I'd recommend it.

 

[willyweed]

i use silicon in dwc,and highly recommend it,its on the ionic grow guide table,and i think i have seen it on other grow guides too.willyweed

 

[indabonga]

grow technology silicon it's a great & cheap product

 

[Stonefree69]

I bet silicon would also be vital to the hemp fiber industry. Heck in time you'll be able to harvest 100% of the plant and sell some to the textile or paper industry.

 

[Gelado`]

Rice husk charcoal. So cheap it's almost free!

 

[shaggyballs]

All ya need is potassium silicate
Both foliar spray and feed at the same time works best for me.
the link has complete directions

http://www.mbferts.com/Agsil-16H-Potassium-Silicate-Soluble-Silica-Powder-1-Pound-545.htm

 

[vostok]

I suspect that by adding Miracle-Gro Water-Storing Crystals to your water starved pots ... adds a shot of silicon to the soil as well....?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-...ring-Crystals-100831/202563065#specifications

Thus you get the benefit of a damp soil when you return from vacation and the plants get that shot of much needed silicon...?

 

[EclipseFour20]

May I share some of my "silicon library"--

Links to files greater than 1meg:
Silicon uptake and accumulation in higher plants-- http://www.aseanbiotechnology.info/abstract/21019928.pdf
A Review Of Silicon And Its Benefits For Plants-- http://hortcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/agripower_silicon-review.pdf
Physiological functions of beneficial elements-- http://www.biology.colostate.edu/files/2012/02/epsmits-22.pdf
Plant-Available Silicon (Si) as a Protectant against Fungal Diseases in Soil-Less Potting Media-- http://www.ngia.com.au/Story?Action=View&Story_id=1782

Attached files--
INFLUENCE OF PLANT ASSOCIATIONS ON THE SILICON CYCLE IN THE SOIL-PLANT ECOSYSTEM-- 1004_547560.pdf
Silicon and Soil Fertility-- international-si-conference_beijing_rutgers.pdf
SILICON AS A BENEFICIAL ELEMENT FOR SUGARCANE-- matichenkov.pdf
Roles of Silica (Si) in soils and plants-- role_of_si_email.pdf
At the border between and Plant Protection-- silicon-review-prof-datnoff_newag.pdf
METHODS FOR SILICON ANALYSIS IN SOIL, PLANT AND FERTILIZERS-- Suzanne - Methods For Si Analysis Plont Soil Fert 03.pdf
US Patent: SILICON CONTAINING A MIXTURE FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE PLANT NATURAL PROTECTION MECHANISMS AGAINST STRESSES-- US7879127.pdf

Cheers!

 

[gus738]

hey guys is this product that which you speak of ? http://www.ehydroponics.com/?action=product&id=6814

 

[otis33]

I kept forgetting to bring a new bottle of protekt to my tree grow and I have been snapping limbs left and right..... it really does make for stronger branches..... it supposedly makes the plant resist pests and heat stress as well. If I werer to only use one additive in addition to base nutes, silica would be the one.

 

[baddagger]

ive nocited that wiht light stress training that i have to put a extra umph in squeezing the stem so i can bending them cause there so much thicker and stronger when using silica....

 

[EclipseFour20]

Think: Plant Available Silica...aka PAS and only in the forms of: amorphous silica and monosilicic acid.

It takes weeks for "potassium silicate" (Pro-tekt, Silica Blast, etc) to become "monosilicic acid".

There are some "potassium silicate" products that also include "monosilicic acid"...and several "amorphous silica" products to amend soil grow mediums.

Cheers!

 

[stoney917]

Silica is important but not nessessary.... It's been proven to make the plant stronger and more resistant to everything that could weaken it.... If u got it use it....

 

[dansbuds]

I use 1/2 cup per gallon of medium of powdered DE in my coco & i use protekt @ low doses & a I use it as a surfacant when i need to foliar with something . I could not believe the difference in my floppy Biesels when i started using Silica !!!

The powdered DE is 85% silica & kills any soil bound bugs or larva by dehydrating thier bodies . nice little bonus

 

[EclipseFour20]

Silica is important but not nessessary.... It's been proven to make the plant stronger and more resistant to everything that could weaken it.... If u got it use it....

Agree...necessary, no; essential, yes! That is why most packaged grow mediums contain zero Si....but funny how it makes up about a quarter of Earth's crust.

Cheers!