Anyone tried using Armor Si (or any Silica)?

[cemchris]

Only thing I find weird, they talk about ph'up using silica and every manufacturer are saying, add silica first, then nuts :p

That is because most bottled silica is already diluted into 80% water or more which you won't see many issues from.

 

[Medigrow]

Never heard of it preventing spider mites (not saying it doesn't) but any foilar that increases the ph on the leaf surface will aid in preventing pm and other fungal infections.

The guy in the interview was saying that when they used bio-protek, the little bugs were not able to lay eggs inside the leaves because it was too thick...

 

[Medigrow]

I also wanted to add the reason you put it in a res first is it will spike you PH up to 9-10ish. Even tho I never had an issue with it it can supposedly cause other nutes not to dilute or take a lot longer at that PH. So the theory is Silica first. PH back to range. then add nutes. I just don't put a lot of stock into that since people have been using it as PH Up for years and years. I do however tho put stock into pure potassium silicate takes a min to dissolve and can be kind of fickle depending on what you are mixing it into and will sort of sludge like if not in pure water.

Silica/H202 as the res fills--> PH Down when full ---> Nitrates --> Sulfates ---> Mono Ammonium Phosphate. Bout 10 mins total between all of them. You don't have to get too crazy with steps or spend too much time on it.

Oh, I will try to find some informations on this, silica then ph down then nuts.. thanks for the tip!

 

[OldManRiver]

Ag-sil 16 is soluble. MB ferts is where I get it. Stay away from Kelp4Less silica in any form, it is not even close to soluble.

Ag-sil 16 is potassium silicate. How do you know it isn't the potassium that had any positive effect? We know that potassium is important, and that pot can use large amounts of it. We don't know that for silica.

 

[cemchris]

Ag-sil 16 is potassium silicate. How do you know it isn't the potassium that had any positive effect? We know that potassium is important, and that pot can use large amounts of it. We don't know that for silica.

Because in nute mixes that isn't the only source of K and at the ratios of Agsil you would dose its only like 20-30 ppm K. Also you can usually adjust your K back down to the level prior to Silica so the only change is the Si and can see the benefit. Again this in in an RDWC thread where no one uses soil or pulls silica from magic spots out of the air. Most of the hydro guys are sterile with inert mediums unless you are a super baller and want to drop the money on something like Growstones or Dynaroks that will slow release it and that's debatable in itself vs the cost of dosing Pot Silica for the medium alone.

You are talking about 2 waaay different approaches to growing where there is very little overlap and there for way different advice. For short veg quick flip crops that are usually trellised IMO silica makes a big difference that I can visually and physically see in a plant.

 

[OldManRiver]

Because in nute mixes that isn't the only source of K and at the ratios of Agsil you would dose its only like 20-30 ppm K. Also you can usually adjust your K back down to the level prior to Silica so the only change is the Si and can see the benefit. Again this in in an RDWC thread where no one uses soil or pulls silica from magic spots out of the air. Most of the hydro guys are sterile with inert mediums unless you are a super baller and want to drop the money on something like Growstones or Dynaroks that will slow release it and that's debatable in itself vs the cost of dosing Pot Silica for the medium alone.

You are talking about 2 waaay different approaches to growing where there is very little overlap and there for way different advice.

That's fine. I've grown a lot of great, healthy hydro weed over the years without any silica input. I note that none of the leading fertilizer manufacturers list silica/silicon in their list of contents. I'm going to wager that all the agriculture schools, all the scientists therein, and all the chemists/biologists designing fertilizer know more than we do. I'm further going to wager that, since silica is so incredibly common, its unlikely to be absent in the amount that the plants might need.

 

[cemchris]

That's fine. I've grown a lot of great, healthy hydro weed over the years without any silica input. I note that none of the leading fertilizer manufacturers list silica/silicon in their list of contents. I'm going to wager that all the agriculture schools, all the scientists therein, and all the chemists/biologists designing fertilizer know more than we do. I'm further going to wager that, since silica is so incredibly common, its unlikely to be absent in the amount that the plants might need.

Did you really just use the argument that the nute companies know whats best and you are going to trust their word for it? These are the same companies that all make silica supplements. Hey agree to disagree.

As far as studies there is quite a few out there on the positive effects of silica and plant growth especially in soil-less mediums. Hell Megacrop that everyone loves on here has it in it. I'm not arguing its required to have wonderful plants. I'm saying it def has an added benefit and it's pennies on the dollar when you buy the pure stuff. It's pretty much on the same page as compost tea. Would you make that same argument against that for a soil grow that it isnt needed and anyone using them is just wasting money since all that stuff is out in nature and in the soil already.

 

[MIMedGrower]

Ag-sil 16 is potassium silicate. How do you know it isn't the potassium that had any positive effect? We know that potassium is important, and that pot can use large amounts of it. We don't know that for silica.

Listen to the nutrient content of the plant tissue in the dyna grow interview. Silica is abundant in the cells.

I do agree potassium is responsible for strong branches though. I dont add soluble silica and most strains and crosses hold up their own buds and take supercropping fine.

 

[MIMedGrower]

That's fine. I've grown a lot of great, healthy hydro weed over the years without any silica input. I note that none of the leading fertilizer manufacturers list silica/silicon in their list of contents. I'm going to wager that all the agriculture schools, all the scientists therein, and all the chemists/biologists designing fertilizer know more than we do. I'm further going to wager that, since silica is so incredibly common, its unlikely to be absent in the amount that the plants might need.

Silica would come out of solution. It is bottled/ packaged seperately.

Calcium is missing from most major powdered fertilizer for the same reason. Greenhouses use a seperate res for it even.

 

[HorseBadortiz]

The same companies that don't list Si in their base ingredients sell it as an additive... hmmmm.

 

[Medigrow]

Ag-sil 16 is potassium silicate. How do you know it isn't the potassium that had any positive effect? We know that potassium is important, and that pot can use large amounts of it. We don't know that for silica.

go listen to the interview, pretty nice information in it!

 

[HorseBadortiz]

Ag-sil 16 is potassium silicate. How do you know it isn't the potassium that had any positive effect? We know that potassium is important, and that pot can use large amounts of it. We don't know that for silica.

Speak for yourself, I know it, lol!

Are you using the royal we?

Doode, I'm sure the K has a positive effect or I wouldn't use it... but I'm really in it for the Si. Silly things like stronger stems and more resistance to the crap I lay on my plants! TBH, it probably wouldn't help you, and you should avoid it at all costs... even if it meant a chance for growing better weed!

 

[Compost Man]

Dig-it !! I've used food grade Diatomaceous Earth🖐

I use a tsp./ gallon all the time now.

 

[Medigrow]

I use a tsp./ gallon all the time now.

Don't forget we're in a RDWC subthread ;)

 

[Chachidabs]

Anyone in RDWC using silica?

Power si works great

 

[Indiva710]

I believe in silica as it being the 2nd most abundant mineral on thee planet and the plant loves it so I'm gna keep on using it also why quite a few companies are now putting it into their bases as well as it makes total sense and does wonders for the plant strengthens cell walls that does wonders for pests and support for large buds... Among the many many more things it does too... I have not used armor si tho I just do agsil 16h but might try out some rice hulls that's organic when I need more.. I add 120g to 1gal to make 34ppm for a stock solution and Call it a day and haven't had a issue yet with it... Went from rdwc to coco as well and still using and loving it

 

[BudTester420]

I’ve been growing for about 20 years indoor and out using all sorts of organic soil mixes, hydro systems, mediums and nutrients. Currently using Cultired Solutions in RDWC and was getting interested in adding Power Si to my mix. My herb is always pretty nice but always looking to try other options. Wondering if anyone has experience with this combo and would recommend it or not? Any feedback is always appreciated. Oh and here some bud porn just for fun. ✌🏼💚

 

[Ponky]

Yeah. I've used it. But I don't notice anything when I don't. Sometimes I just use it because I think it helps my PH stay stable. Used it with 4 or five different brands of food. Powder and liquids. Promix and DWC. Can't say if it is worth it or not. But it's cheap ish.

 

[HydroLynx]

I would like to know how exactly they add Si to fertilizers without it precipitating out of solution in the bottle on the shelf. It's only soluble at pH 9+ in a staunch hydroxide mixture it seems...

I've sprayed it as a foliar weekly and still got the worst PM ive literally ever seen in all my years of growing. Biosulfur worked 100% though.

 

[Homesteader]

I use rice hull in my mixes. Rice hull is 20% silica which makes it considered a biological ore for various purposes. A small amount of rice hull ash is very helpful and recommended but even without it rice hull will be fine. Takes a few months to break down otherwise but it is very high in plant available silica as is diatomacous earth.