Using silica?

So question has anyone ever used a silica supplement in soil grows? I know growers use it in hydro.but was curious if anyone has used it for a soil( aka potting mix) grow? Does it improve plant health? Or is it more marketing wank-ateering.

the benefits are the same in hydro or soil.

Sand does not hold water. It's used for drainage and I'd think there'd be a limit to it usefulness as measured drainage is important. Personally, I pay for the engineering of the mediums I use and use it as I buy it. Amending mediums may be fun but it can be a pandora's box.

Oldreefer said:

Sand does not hold water. It's used for drainage and I'd think there'd be a limit to it usefulness as measured drainage is important. Personally, I pay for the engineering of the mediums I use and use it as I buy it. Amending mediums may be fun but it can be a pandora's box.

Click to expand...

I’m not talking about sand I more meaning use of something like botanicare silica blast or something like that.

I'd check to see what is already in your soil before making up your mind. Silica is used less frequently in soil because many potting soil mixes are already rich in it. That may or may not be the case with what you are using, but it is always critical to know what is in your medium before you start adding inputs.

Axeman88 said:

I’m not talking about sand I more meaning use of something like botanicare silica blast or something like that.

Click to expand...

I use Advanced nutrients Rhino skin for silica. I use it throughout veg and bloom in soil.
I can't tell you if it improved plant health.. but I can tell you my plant hasn't been unhealthy.
It's supposed to help strengthen plant cells/stem growth. Also supposed to contributes to the plants immune system for mold resistance and drought.

Check out this link. https://hydrobuilder.com/learn/silica-for-plants/

Thanks everyone for the information

One negative to using Silica is it raises your ph

Herb & Suds said:

One negative to using Silica is it raises your ph

Click to expand...

and it precipitates like a bitch if you add it in the wrong order.

Just use pH neutral Silica unless you want it for the pH up

budman111 said:

Just use pH neutral Silica unless you want it for the pH up

Click to expand...

like what? i've only tried Armor Si and it's not ph neutral

rkymtnman said:

like what? i've only tried Armor Si and it's not ph neutral

Click to expand...

The easiest method is use Canna Base A&B as they add it, or products like Density silica pro...I'm in UK so not sure about N. America

Herb & Suds said:

One negative to using Silica is it raises your ph

Click to expand...

For me that's a positive, as it raises my ph to a more desired level.

I’d like to know how much sillica blast to use per gallon of water. I’m in veg feeding 400-500PPM. Soil though. I love the pure blend pro line by botanicare. I’ve gave silica in past grows and it made the stems quite sturdy, but I don’t know how to properly use it. Thanks.

Moabfighter said:

I’d like to know how much sillica blast to use per gallon of water. I’m in veg feeding 400-500PPM. Soil though. I love the pure blend pro line by botanicare. I’ve gave silica in past grows and it made the stems quite sturdy, but I don’t know how to properly use it. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I'd shoot for around 25ppm of silica.

PJ Diaz said:

I'd shoot for around 25ppm of silica.

Click to expand...

Potent stuff huh. Gotcha thank you

Moabfighter said:

Potent stuff huh. Gotcha thank you

Click to expand...

Yep, and it will raise your ph a bit as well, so keep that in mind too. Also always add silica to water before adding nutes. BTW, Botanicare is made by Scotts Miracle Gro now.