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Organic source of silica?

Sibbeli

Member
I just wanted to say that the Bentonite/Montmorillonite product Agriton produces, Edasil, contains 56% SiO2. So it is very rich in silica.


How soluble it is, i dont know but my guess is that it is available for roots quite fast as the recommendations to apply it 2x year.

And the product has many other benefits, like a really high CEC value, very usable in a living soil, and it also helps with water retention, et cetera. It is precisely the type of clay you want in your living soil.

I use both Edasil and Vulkamin to everything i grow and in huge amounts, about 2-4% of the complete soil mix, before ferts are applied as i see them as amendments even if both products got lots of K, Fe, Ca, and so on in them.
 

spazspaz

Member
Cut the chase and get a liquid silicon product - you'll have all the silica your plant needs for chump-change.

Liquid works fast! I've been using Cutting Edge brand (probably the most expensive) and am amazed how it rapidly affects plant stature during veg.

I also like liquid for foliar application, but I don't have science to justify any treatment method or another. Maybe foliar delivers the Si quicker, and is less expensive per treatment--but maybe soil fed liquid Si could still be the most dramatically effective. Anyone else feel more secure with data?
 

PaulieWaulie

Well-known member
Veteran
Couldn't this all be cleared up by confirming that perlite is a good source, in high amounts and soluble/available? Perlite is 70% Silicon Dioxide. Wikipedia says some of this is amorphous as someone had suggested it should be. As most people have high amounts between 30-40% of the mix and a good amount of mine is very fine and small particles and even 20% of it is powdered from being crushed in the bags, I would think I have this covered in my mixes.
 

G.O. Joe

Well-known member
Veteran
I'd think the heating involved in perlite would not help make a reactive surface. It might be a good idea to look for any data showing plant available silicon in things you're sure have it. A lot has been posted here on the subject, real analyses.
 

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