Organic forms of Silica

[Bear777]

In soil, when organic forms of silica such like diatomaceous earth are used, what kind of time frames might be required in order to be utilized. I heard it takes a fair bit longer, than some other forms. I hear it's good for a few things including stronger wider stems.

 

[frankreynolds]

You can also find liquid Potassium Silicate that is OMRI listed works quicker. But it will depend on the size of the particles you use, but it is certainly a slow form of silica.

 

[itchybro]

yep what frank said , i wouldn't get to caught up in micro manageing individual elements , what you want is soil balance , very easy to get caught in the add more on & more on & more on & before you know it your a moron

https://nutri-tech.com.au/products/potassium-silicate?_pos=1&_sid=e0227d56a&_ss=r

https://www.nutritiongardening.com.au/collections/products/products/life-force-cell-strength

https://nutri-tech.com.au/products/photo-finish?_pos=2&_psq=pho&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

[Bear777]

yep what frank said , i wouldn't get to caught up in micro manageing individual elements , what you want is soil balance , very easy to get caught in the add more on & more on & more on & before you know it your a moron

https://nutri-tech.com.au/products/potassium-silicate?_pos=1&_sid=e0227d56a&_ss=r

https://www.nutritiongardening.com.au/collections/products/products/life-force-cell-strength

https://nutri-tech.com.au/products/photo-finish?_pos=2&_psq=pho&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Soil balance yes, I was just mixing up some soil to 'cook' and I hadn't had any experience with adding any silica before, so I was curious if it would take longer than one grow before it would start have benefits if I were to add it in, as I hope to be able to continue to better the soil each grow. I will look up the links, thank you

 

[benn0]

With diatomaceous earth I'd imagine it would takes ages

 

[Donothing-garden]

Micronised diatomaceous earth has a very high plant available silica number... it's sold under a brand I saw somewhere recently. A soluble powder that can be added to water. NTS sell a very expensive version of this. I did get heavy metal numbers on it though and it's high, not great for commercial cultivators

 

[afghan bob]

I add a cup of dia earth in every 60ltrs of medium i make up
Not sure how well it works but haven't had a gnat problem 4 long time
Lotsa diff forms or grades at diff dollar amounts

 

[Bear777]

Micronised diatomaceous earth has a very high plant available silica number... it's sold under a brand I saw somewhere recently. A soluble powder that can be added to water. NTS sell a very expensive version of this. I did get heavy metal numbers on it though and it's high, not great for commercial cultivators

High in heavy metals, that's not good. That soluble powder sounds like the version of diatomaceous I was investigating...perhaps azomite would cover my soils needs as far as silica is concerned

 

[Donothing-garden]

I add a cup of dia earth in every 60ltrs of medium i make up
Not sure how well it works but haven't had a gnat problem 4 long time
Lotsa diff forms or grades at diff dollar amounts

Wollastonite is awesome too, I'm looking at supplying some soon. Calcium silicate.

 

[Donothing-garden]

High in heavy metals, that's not good. That soluble powder sounds like the version of diatomaceous I was investigating...perhaps azomite would cover my soils needs as far as silica is concerned

It's probably fine in terms of heavy metals, I just wouldn't recommend in commercial grows due to the low tolerance

 

[Bear777]

It's probably fine in terms of heavy metals, I just wouldn't recommend in commercial grows due to the low tolerance

What do you like to use in your blend to cover silica needs

 

[Donothing-garden]

What do you like to use in your blend to cover silica needs

I haven't added anything specifically for silica yet but I'd like to. Soft rock has a fair bit of silica but I don't know how much is plant available or how long it takes to become available.

 

[veritas629]

You could consider rice hulls. They have silica and are also good for aerating your soil. I use them as opposed to perlite. I think they take a while to break down, so consider them a slow release silica. You can find them at homebrew stores; their are used to prevent compaction in all-grain brewing.

 

[Bigfoot (aka Lil’ Wristy)]

Seabird Guano is another form of silica

 

[Pikey]

Seabird Guano is another source of silica

 

[Bigfoot (aka Lil’ Wristy)]

Seabird Guano is another form of silica

Seabird Guano is another form of getting silica.

 

[Aye Shroomer]

This isn’t so much a source of silica but it says it can turn insoluble silica and other minerals into forms that plants can use immediately.
I use it and notice afterwards that the plants bounce like they just had red cordial

RHIZO-MOJO

RHIZO-MOJO: The Plant Growth Supercharger RHIZO-MOJO is the most potent rhizobacterial based biostimulant package created to date. It's a truly memorable experience for any plant that encounters it, and any gardener that uses it. RHIZO-MOJO works via a multipronged approach to boost plant growth...

highpoweredorganics.com

 

[Donothing-garden]

You could consider rice hulls. They have silica and are also good for aerating your soil. I use them as opposed to perlite. I think they take a while to break down, so consider them a slow release silica. You can find them at homebrew stores; their are used to prevent compaction in all-grain brewing.

I was looking at rice hulls a while back but there was too much arsenic as well as no assurance from supplier that they'd been parboiled for a sterile product

 

[Bear777]

I was looking at rice hulls a while back but there was too much arsenic as well as no assurance from supplier that they'd been parboiled for a sterile product

Interesting, I had been tossin the rice idea around, you really have to know how the products are made when their going in your soil.

 

[Donothing-garden]

Interesting, I had been tossin the rice idea around, you really have to know how the products are made when their going in your soil.

Absolutely. Just because it's organic doesn't mean it's a good idea.