Silicon is one of the most common chemical elements in planet (27,7% of weight), only exceeded by Oxygen. In natural state, this element (symbolized in period schedule as Si), can take crystalized or shapeless form, with a bluish and greish tone and metal brightness. Today we will talk about benefits of using Silicon growing cannabis, when and how to add it to our plants to get maximum benefits.
Silicon origin
This mineral form from volcano ashes, is used in farming (organic and non-organic) to increase yields, for a very low cost.
Previous studies
Being an element widely used for years, many studies have demonstrated that in presence of Silicon, plants are less susceptible to suffer from stress. It is logic, because the quantities of Silicon present in plants can be closer to other elements like phosphorus, calcium or magnesium.
Benefits of Silicon for cannabis
If our cannabis plants get enough amount of Silicon, this will be stored in cell-walls, what not only increases stems' resistance and strength, it also helps cut down leaves' drehydration. Hydroponic growers know the benefits of avoiding fungal development, besides some common green algae in medium's surface (combination of light and moisture).
In stress situations (like high temps. or drought) Silicon helps plants reducing its breathability, what actually helps (specially along hottests months of summer outdoors, and when indoor temperatures are too high). Adding to every feeding products like Aptus Regulator, Raw Solubles Silica, Biotabs Silicium Flash or putting some Mineral Magic in the surface of the medium, we can prevent in a very efficient way dehydration of plants, besides strengthening its stems and branches, what will derive in healthier plants, able to improve its growing ratio, and its final yields. Partially this is also due Silcion acts as cannabis internal process regulator, producing an improvement in the use of nutrients, in addition to other factors.
Studies also demonstrate that a Silicon source improves self-defense mechanisms, making them stronger to foreign attacks.
Use of Si to improve substrate
Add silicates, not only improves plant's healthy bringing wide benefits, it also helps improve substrate's life, so we are improving macro and micro nutrients uptake contained in medium. In addition it also acts as preventive against possible toxic nutrient-lock of elements like Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Copper, that could damage plants and tokers healthy.
In a previous post we talked about how to recycle soil, where we quoted the use of Silicon as a must element to recycle substrate for more than one cycle (we aim you to read the article).
When should be add Silicon
As we previously said, Silicon can be helpful in multiple cases, and if you have never used it before, we strongly recommend to use it, and see the difference (even in cases where there isn't any stress, nor pathology), Sourcing a small amount of Silicon from early stages of growth will improve plant's health, what will reward you with an increased yield, being a natural element, for a very low cost budget.
If this information was interesting for you, do not hesitate to share this link and help other growers know more about Silicon benefits.
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In advanced that I like comments, even if they are not agree with whatever I wrote. Said this, I guess that if you find our text maybe it was because you were looking for some information about Si, or maybe trying to know how to use it. I think our text is a good information for those like you that want to learn more from the Si use benefits in your crop. The problem is when you turn your will into rage writing comments like yours. I really don't think these kind of comments will help you convince writers like me to explain you better any question you may have. Instead of standing with this mood, I guess it would be better for you if you try being kind when asking a question. It's a karma thing, if you are kind probably people will be nice, if you are rude probably you'll get rudeness back.
Then, and trying to answer your claims... The problem telling you a certain dose, is that there are hundreds of brands in market, every single one with its own dose for their products, This is the main reason why I don't wrote readers a dose, and instead of that I gave them a reference. My logic says a dose from one brand can be harmful when using it with another brand, so it is better to tell readers a reference so when they buy a brand just need to check the recommended dose for that product and then apply less than what the brand tells you. In other words Barry, doses won't be the same for all Si products in market (i.e: Aptus tells you to add 1,5 ml/10L, and Atami tells you to add 0,1 ml/L, etc). As a final clarification: You should add Si from early stages of growth (2nd-3rd week) until just before flushing period to get full benefits.
Hope all is well with you, and if in the future you have more questions to be answered just remember my words.
Best
I loved your answer to “Dr.” Nadel :)
I really see benefits of using it and would like to try: it I did not use for the first 3 weeks and start only from 1st week of bloom stage is that all fine? Or will I see a big difference VS. If I started day#1 of growth stage..?
Many thanks!
There are benefits of using it from the really first day, but there isn't much difference if you start adding it once it starts blooming.
Best