The Benefits of Potassium Silicate

[spl]

Why You Should Use Potassium Silicate.
Many benefits can be gained by using a good Potassium Silicate product in your feeding program. Increased tolerance of environmental stress, heat, cold, drought, water and soil toxicity or deficiency, improved growth rate both in the root zone and in the plant it foliage. By using Potassium Silicate with clones can increase the rate of roots kicked by as much as 80%.

Potassium Silicate is a natural fungicide, it helps build the plants defense from attacks by insects, fungi. Potassium Silicate helps the plant growth by depositing it self epidermal cell walls, enhancing the plant's ability to keep the leaves pointed towards the light source. It also increases the stem strength, making it easier to hold up more weight. As the plant builds it self up with Potassium Silicate, it helps with balancing nutrient uptake and distribution, and increased concentration of chlorophyll and RUBP carboxylase in leaves. (AKA the Calvin cycle)

How Potassium Silicate Increases Resistance to Pathogens
Potassium Silicate is impregnated in the epidermal cell layer acting as a barrier against penetration of fungal attacks from powdery mildew, black spots, pythium and phytophthora and many more fugal problems. Silicate also increase the mechanical strength of the plant to help it in extreme heat and cold swings, salt build up in soils or increased TDS in water, and controls the rate of transpiration of plants.

Potassium Silicate plays an active role in combating fungal growth by the production of polyphenolic compounds, this is a main part of the plants natural defense against fugal and insect attacks.

The plants leaf system will rapidly bound potassium Silicate in the tissue and cell walls with in 24 hours of uptake. Therefore a continuous source of Silicate is very important. When silicate uptake by the plant it will start with the older growth and work is way into the newer growth to help build up the mechanical strength of the plant.

When adding Silicate to a foliage spray program, it will help lower the rate of disease attack and helps protect the plants new leafs from spider mites, aphids, and many other sucking type insects.

How Potassium Silicate Increases the Metabolic Rate of Plants
It has been shown that silicate improves resistance to wilt, resistance to water stress, can help fight heat stress up too 105 deg F. If your plant has excessive transpiration, the plant will cease it metabolic function and stunted or no growth will occur.

Use if silicates in cloning or new seedlings helps speed up the rate of growth by as much as 90% (University of Florida and Minnesota). Also the study showed that 18% top 80% increase of dry weight of fruit and herbs.

It also increases reproductive rate in plants (Bud Growth). Increases tolerance of Zinc deficiencies, excessive phosphorus, manganese, sodium and aluminum toxicity.


My favorite is Dyna-Gro's Pro-Tek it is the most refined and concentrated there is on the market. 5 ML per gallon to start and 1ML per gallon add back with top off water.

EPA- Potassium silicate is the potassium salt of silicic acid, and, in formulation, is readily absorbed by the plant. Silicon comprises 32% of the Earth’s crust, and silicic acid salts (silicates) are the most common form of silicon. Consequently exposure to silicates is widespread in activities involving contact with soil and natural water. The other part of the chemical, potassium is a required element for survival of both plants and animals, as is silicon.

Potassium silicate is an active ingredient to be used as a fungicide, insecticide and miticide. Potassium silicate will be used as a broad spectrum, preventative fungicide with optimum control obtained when used under a scheduled preventative spray program. Potassium silicate also provides suppression of mites, whiteflies, and other insects. It is approved for use on agricultural crops, fruits, nuts, vines, turf and ornamentals.
Most common used in hydro is Potassium Silicate.

REFERENCES
1. Marschner, H., Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, Academic Press, 1995, pp. 417-426,440-442.
2. Datnoff, L.E., et al., “Influence of Silicon Fertilizer Grades on Blast and Brown Spot
Development and on Rice Yields,” Plant Disease, October 1992, pp. 1011-1013.
3. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth of Cucumber Plant in Soil
Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 29 (4), 1983, pp. 463-471.
4. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth and Fruit Production of
Strawberry Plants in a Solution Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 32 (2), 1986, pp. 321-326.
5. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Silicon Deficiency of Tomato Plant,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.,
24, 1978, pp. 175-189.
6. Schmidt, R.E., et al., “Response of Photosynthesis and Superoxide Dismutase to Silica
Applied to Creeping Bentgrass Grown Under Two Fertility Levels,” J. Plant Nutrition, 22
(11), 1999, pp. 1763-1773.
7. Posters presented at Silicon in Agriculture Conference, Sept. 26-30, 1999, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. “Effects of Silicon on the Seedling Growth of Creeping Bentgrass and
Zoysiagrass,” by Z. Linjuan et al., China Agricultural University; “Influence of Silicon and
Host Plant Resistance on Gray Leaf Spot Development in St. Augustinegrass,” by L.E.
Datnoff and R.T. Nagata, University of Florida.
8. Chen, J., et al., “Let’s Put the Si Back into Soil,” University of Florida, Mid-Florida
Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL.
For more information on PQ Corporation and our complete

 

[Jalisco Kid]

Why You Should Use Potassium Silicate.
Many benefits can be gained by using a good Potassium Silicate product in your feeding program. Increased tolerance of environmental stress, heat, cold, drought, water and soil toxicity or deficiency, improved growth rate both in the root zone and in the plant it foliage. By using Potassium Silicate with clones can increase the rate of roots kicked by as much as 80%.

Potassium Silicate is a natural fungicide, it helps build the plants defense from attacks by insects, fungi. Potassium Silicate helps the plant growth by depositing it self epidermal cell walls, enhancing the plant's ability to keep the leaves pointed towards the light source. It also increases the stem strength, making it easier to hold up more weight. As the plant builds it self up with Potassium Silicate, it helps with balancing nutrient uptake and distribution, and increased concentration of chlorophyll and RUBP carboxylase in leaves. (AKA the Calvin cycle)

How Potassium Silicate Increases Resistance to Pathogens
Potassium Silicate is impregnated in the epidermal cell layer acting as a barrier against penetration of fungal attacks from powdery mildew, black spots, pythium and phytophthora and many more fugal problems. Silicate also increase the mechanical strength of the plant to help it in extreme heat and cold swings, salt build up in soils or increased TDS in water, and controls the rate of transpiration of plants.

Potassium Silicate plays an active role in combating fungal growth by the production of polyphenolic compounds, this is a main part of the plants natural defense against fugal and insect attacks.

The plants leaf system will rapidly bound potassium Silicate in the tissue and cell walls with in 24 hours of uptake. Therefore a continuous source of Silicate is very important. When silicate uptake by the plant it will start with the older growth and work is way into the newer growth to help build up the mechanical strength of the plant.

When adding Silicate to a foliage spray program, it will help lower the rate of disease attack and helps protect the plants new leafs from spider mites, aphids, and many other sucking type insects.

How Potassium Silicate Increases the Metabolic Rate of Plants
It has been shown that silicate improves resistance to wilt, resistance to water stress, can help fight heat stress up too 105 deg F. If your plant has excessive transpiration, the plant will cease it metabolic function and stunted or no growth will occur.

Use if silicates in cloning or new seedlings helps speed up the rate of growth by as much as 90% (University of Florida and Minnesota). Also the study showed that 18% top 80% increase of dry weight of fruit and herbs.

It also increases reproductive rate in plants (Bud Growth). Increases tolerance of Zinc deficiencies, excessive phosphorus, manganese, sodium and aluminum toxicity.


My favorite is Dyna-Gro's Pro-Tek it is the most refined and concentrated there is on the market. 5 ML per gallon to start and 1ML per gallon add back with top off water.

EPA- Potassium silicate is the potassium salt of silicic acid, and, in formulation, is readily absorbed by the plant. Silicon comprises 32% of the Earth’s crust, and silicic acid salts (silicates) are the most common form of silicon. Consequently exposure to silicates is widespread in activities involving contact with soil and natural water. The other part of the chemical, potassium is a required element for survival of both plants and animals, as is silicon.

Potassium silicate is an active ingredient to be used as a fungicide, insecticide and miticide. Potassium silicate will be used as a broad spectrum, preventative fungicide with optimum control obtained when used under a scheduled preventative spray program. Potassium silicate also provides suppression of mites, whiteflies, and other insects. It is approved for use on agricultural crops, fruits, nuts, vines, turf and ornamentals.
Most common used in hydro is Potassium Silicate.

REFERENCES
1. Marschner, H., Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, Academic Press, 1995, pp. 417-426,440-442.
2. Datnoff, L.E., et al., “Influence of Silicon Fertilizer Grades on Blast and Brown Spot
Development and on Rice Yields,” Plant Disease, October 1992, pp. 1011-1013.
3. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth of Cucumber Plant in Soil
Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 29 (4), 1983, pp. 463-471.
4. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth and Fruit Production of
Strawberry Plants in a Solution Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 32 (2), 1986, pp. 321-326.
5. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Silicon Deficiency of Tomato Plant,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.,
24, 1978, pp. 175-189.
6. Schmidt, R.E., et al., “Response of Photosynthesis and Superoxide Dismutase to Silica
Applied to Creeping Bentgrass Grown Under Two Fertility Levels,” J. Plant Nutrition, 22
(11), 1999, pp. 1763-1773.
7. Posters presented at Silicon in Agriculture Conference, Sept. 26-30, 1999, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. “Effects of Silicon on the Seedling Growth of Creeping Bentgrass and
Zoysiagrass,” by Z. Linjuan et al., China Agricultural University; “Influence of Silicon and
Host Plant Resistance on Gray Leaf Spot Development in St. Augustinegrass,” by L.E.
Datnoff and R.T. Nagata, University of Florida.
8. Chen, J., et al., “Let’s Put the Si Back into Soil,” University of Florida, Mid-Florida
Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL.
For more information on PQ Corporation and our complete

How does this relate to herb? Can I expect a 90% increase in my plants if not which plants? If it increases plants resistance to pests would that be 1 %,5%,10%?
Your thread makes claims that do not transfer over to herb or other plants I use P silicate on. Those references listed were listed by whom? Where did you take this info from? I can lift info from any study to slant it in many directions.
I do not mean to bust your chops but I do not want newbi's to shallow this whole. I am a firm believer in using P silicate but I get nowhere near what your thread claims,I was looking for an ad at the bottom since it was so slanted and not offering real facts. It looks like something I would read in Maximum Yield. JK

 

[spl]

How does this relate to herb? Can I expect a 90% increase in my plants if not which plants? If it increases plants resistance to pests would that be 1 %,5%,10%?
Your thread makes claims that do not transfer over to herb or other plants I use P silicate on. Those references listed were listed by whom? Where did you take this info from? I can lift info from any study to slant it in many directions.
I do not mean to bust your chops but I do not want newbi's to shallow this whole. I am a firm believer in using P silicate but I get nowhere near what your thread claims,I was looking for an ad at the bottom since it was so slanted and not offering real facts. It looks like something I would read in Maximum Yield. JK

Are you related to UB? just joking
Proof is in the grow when leaves are thicker and buds swell up in high heat when every one says it can't do to heat stress. My grow rooms run in the mid 90's every single day and they grow just fine, and no I don't run cO2.

I won't grow with out since I have started using it about 10 years ago. There are many parts to a puzzle to this game and this is one of the parts.

REFERENCES
1. Marschner, H., Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, Academic Press, 1995, pp. 417-426,440-442.
2. Datnoff, L.E., et al., “Influence of Silicon Fertilizer Grades on Blast and Brown Spot
Development and on Rice Yields,” Plant Disease, October 1992, pp. 1011-1013.
3. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth of Cucumber Plant in Soil
Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 29 (4), 1983, pp. 463-471.
4. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth and Fruit Production of
Strawberry Plants in a Solution Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 32 (2), 1986, pp. 321-326.
5. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Silicon Deficiency of Tomato Plant,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.,
24, 1978, pp. 175-189.
6. Schmidt, R.E., et al., “Response of Photosynthesis and Superoxide Dismutase to Silica
Applied to Creeping Bentgrass Grown Under Two Fertility Levels,” J. Plant Nutrition, 22
(11), 1999, pp. 1763-1773.
7. Posters presented at Silicon in Agriculture Conference, Sept. 26-30, 1999, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. “Effects of Silicon on the Seedling Growth of Creeping Bentgrass and
Zoysiagrass,” by Z. Linjuan et al., China Agricultural University; “Influence of Silicon and
Host Plant Resistance on Gray Leaf Spot Development in St. Augustinegrass,” by L.E.
Datnoff and R.T. Nagata, University of Florida.
8. Chen, J., et al., “Let’s Put the Si Back into Soil,” University of Florida, Mid-Florida
Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL.

 

[Jalisco Kid]

Are you related to UB? just joking
Proof is in the grow when leaves are thicker and buds swell up in high heat when every one says it can't do to heat stress. My grow rooms run in the mid 90's every single day and they grow just fine, and no I don't run cO2.

I won't grow with out since I have started using it about 10 years ago. There are many parts to a puzzle to this game and this is one of the parts.

REFERENCES
1. Marschner, H., Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, Academic Press, 1995, pp. 417-426,440-442.
2. Datnoff, L.E., et al., “Influence of Silicon Fertilizer Grades on Blast and Brown Spot
Development and on Rice Yields,” Plant Disease, October 1992, pp. 1011-1013.
3. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth of Cucumber Plant in Soil
Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 29 (4), 1983, pp. 463-471.
4. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Effect of Silicon on the Growth and Fruit Production of
Strawberry Plants in a Solution Culture,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 32 (2), 1986, pp. 321-326.
5. Miyake, Y. and E. Takahashi, “Silicon Deficiency of Tomato Plant,” Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.,
24, 1978, pp. 175-189.
6. Schmidt, R.E., et al., “Response of Photosynthesis and Superoxide Dismutase to Silica
Applied to Creeping Bentgrass Grown Under Two Fertility Levels,” J. Plant Nutrition, 22
(11), 1999, pp. 1763-1773.
7. Posters presented at Silicon in Agriculture Conference, Sept. 26-30, 1999, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. “Effects of Silicon on the Seedling Growth of Creeping Bentgrass and
Zoysiagrass,” by Z. Linjuan et al., China Agricultural University; “Influence of Silicon and
Host Plant Resistance on Gray Leaf Spot Development in St. Augustinegrass,” by L.E.
Datnoff and R.T. Nagata, University of Florida.
8. Chen, J., et al., “Let’s Put the Si Back into Soil,” University of Florida, Mid-Florida
Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL.

"There are many parts to a puzzle to this game and this is one of the parts."


It is just that one small part of the puzzle. But if I read your thread I am led to believe I would have explosive root growth,protection from pests, disease,chem and bio warfare. It does help with the immune system a little and it does aid in water transport.
The only thing I got from your pics is you grow small plants that you like to torture. Bump that rh up to 70% and see the difference. JK
Where did you source this info?

 

[Seamaiden]

I have to admit, my lips just chapped at those RH values. Ouch!

 

[spl]

I have to admit, my lips just chapped at those RH values. Ouch!

That's the way the room is at this stage, Once the plants get bigger the room RH jumps up to about 45% and keeps right there.

This is the bloom room.

 

[cheaplastic]

no offense bro, but that plant looks stressed as hell

 

[spl]

TH Seeds DarkStar

no offense bro, but that plant looks stressed as hell

Here is a few pictures from my 30" tall stressed plants harvest, I only took the tops and left the lower half for another 2 weeks.
So in 2 weeks I will finish harvesting the lower half of my plants.

 

[altitudefarmer]

Nice buds, regardless! I use potassium silicate in all my grows. I think it's a good idea. But not at mfr's recommended dosage- less than half. Not a cure-all, but like a little boost to keep 'em from over-stressing when I fuck 'em up, lol. My long sativas seem to really appreciate it, although in very minute amounts. Also glad you're not selling anything...lol.

 

[spl]

Nice buds, regardless! I use potassium silicate in all my grows. I think it's a good idea. But not at mfr's recommended dosage- less than half. Not a cure-all, but like a little boost to keep 'em from over-stressing when I fuck 'em up, lol. My long sativas seem to really appreciate it, although in very minute amounts. Also glad you're not selling anything...lol.

LOL, no not selling any thing. I use 3 ml per gallon if I Dyna-Gro's Pro-tekt, if it is other brands I adjust.

Thanks for checking it out.

 

[justiceman]

"There are many parts to a puzzle to this game and this is one of the parts."


It is just that one small part of the puzzle. But if I read your thread I am led to believe I would have explosive root growth,protection from pests, disease,chem and bio warfare. It does help with the immune system a little and it does aid in water transport.
The only thing I got from your pics is you grow small plants that you like to torture. Bump that rh up to 70% and see the difference. JK
Where did you source this info?

I totally know where you are coming from JK. It does in fact imply a cure all product that will lead you to glory no matter what happens.

I don't deny it though. What the OP says I honestly believe as I have read similar things elsewhere. I wouldn't say that it performs to the intensity or level of what the article states, but I would says it does all those things to a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar lesser degree.

Sorry SPL, but Silica won't save you from low 90's and 20% humidity but it will help your plants cope slightly better then without it though.

 

[FreshSteppin]

silica in general is a great additive.

Potassium silica is infact the best stretch stopper there is. \

I use silica blast all through the plants life cycle, which is sodium silicate and potassium silicate. Excess potassium can keep plants extremely short and bushy

When I switch to flower I start using Dyna-Gro's pro-text potassium silica, and overload them on the K
This keeps the stretch down. Allows me to take a plant that wants to bet 6 ft tall and shorten it to a mere 2 ft. I do not recommend using pro tekt if you do not want to affect your stretch.

 

[FreshSteppin]

....

 

[Skunkenstein]

I use Grotek{0-0-3} Pro-Silicate @ 2ml/Gallon.I've noticed it makes the Plants stronger..branches,Leaves reach for the Light. Definately gives em that extra 'Perky-ness".I consider silica 'Gatorade' for Plants.Highly recommended for Hot dry conditions.I have not Noticed any increase in Yield whatsoever.It's a worthwhile addative if your Fighting the heat.Plus,2ml dosages out of a Quart size container are going to last for quite some time!!

 

[TheDrizzle]

Silica is by no means a cure all, but a safety net yes. It has made the difference for me as I have to use less supplemental support during late flower because my girls can support their own weight better. I HIGHLY suggest getting some and using it every watering if you have not.

 

[Kaiser Puff]

Does anyone know if silica makes it harder for endomycorrhizae to innoculate roots? If so then I suppose it would be best to innoculate before starting the course of silica?

 

[gudkarma]

i have AN rhino skin (got it on sale) in my nutrient tool kit.

from what i have read, potassium silicate can help to strengthen cell walls, can assist in nutrient uptake, can be used as a potassium suppliment, & can help increase plant metabolic function.

like other posters, i use it... to maintain healthy & strong stems ...& to give plants greater tolerance to my occasional f$ck ups.

i stop using silica in flower... but in veg i use it every third watering to the tune of 2 to 3ml per gallon.

i've also read p.silicate is a great additive for one's cloning solution... anybody know if that's accurate?

 

[Seamaiden]

No, but based on what you've written I'm rethinking my feeding strategy with regard to veg vs flower. I've been using it in flower only because that's where it gets hot, the flowering room.

 

[Jalisco Kid]

It helps in a veg room a lot as a floral spray. It raises ph so guess what it prevents in a 75% rh room. JK

 

[gudkarma]

seamaiden, its always nice to rethink things.

if i am going into flower with very healthy plants (my main goal trumping all others) my non-horticultural based logic is that "silicate did its job"... i mean, how many waterings included silicate in veg? ...plenty.

i like to remove silicate from the equation in flower so that i can suppliment with something more suitable to that particular plant process.

unlike the tone of the original post, i don't think silicate a cure.

i'm just trying to stay away from the "nute soup" mix out philosophy. i want to rock a more simple nute schedule in an effort to strech out my nute stash & make the process more simple.

on re-thinking...

before i came to the Farm, i generally didnt do the foliar feed thing. misting of clones, sure. foliars no.

however, i saw a few posts where JK and a few others were advocating foliar tonics.

i've adopted the process with good results using the most basic formuli... 1/4 to 1/3 strength nutes ...humic or fulvic acid at 5ml ...& everything followed by a regular pd'd water mist to clean the leaves the following day.

change can be good.:RastaBong: