New Grower Diatomaceous Earth and silica additives?

[Alwaysautos]

Hey guys, I´m nearing the end of my current grow and am getting prepped for my next run (current grow is here: https://www.autoflower.org/f142/auto-green-poison-some-dinafem-auto-original-amnesia-too-31398.html).

I´ve had a major problem with fungus gnats this time around, and am going to top dress my soil with diatomaceous earth next time to hopefully prevent a repeat. However, I´ve been reading up on its use and it seems that a portion of the diatomaceous earth (hereafter known as DE as its a bitch to spell!) is soluble silicon.

My question is should I still give a silica supplement when using DE, or is there enough in the DE to give my plants what they need?

Also, is top dressing the best way to use it, or is it better mixed through my medium?

Thanks in advance for any help guys!

 

[namvet25]

DE contains 80 to 90 % silica so I don't think you need to add any more .Just mix it in the top soil and water in.

 

[oldster]

Hi AA,

Since DE works y abrading the outside layer of insects like sandpaper I think a top dressing would be the way to go but I have never tried it in this manner.

As to silicon additives I am not aware of any proof that it helps non-grass type plants in soil based grows.
http://www2.fiu.edu/~chusb001/GiantEquisetum/Silicon_and_Plant_Health.html

In hydro growing I believe it does help.

Let folks know if it solves your gnat problem, it would be a great safe solution to the problem

 

[Alwaysautos]

Hey namvet, thanks for the answer. The issue I was having was although the DE is mainly silica, I understand that the majority of that silica is not water soluble so won´t be available to the plants? So although it may be 90% silica, is it actually in a form thats available to my plants? I hope that makes sense - I´m a little baked!

- - - Updated - - -

Hi AA,

Since DE works y abrading the outside layer of insects like sandpaper I think a top dressing would be the way to go but I have never tried it in this manner.

As to silicon additives I am not aware of any proof that it helps non-grass type plants in soil based grows.
http://www2.fiu.edu/~chusb001/GiantEquisetum/Silicon_and_Plant_Health.html

In hydro growing I believe it does help.

Let folks know if it solves your gnat problem, it would be a great safe solution to the problem

Cheers oklster - I´ve used a silica additive in my soil grows for a couple of years as I believe it allows the plants to withstand higher temps and creates stronger cell walls. Maybe I need to research whether its actually benefiting or if its my imagination!

 

[namvet25]

I really don't no if it is water sol or not.I use Botanicare silica blast in a liguid form but to be honest I don't see much differences than before I used it.

 

[Alwaysautos]

I really don't no if it is water sol or not.I use Botanicare silica blast in a liguid form but to be honest I don't see much differences than before I used it.

Yeah, I´ve recently switched from Mineral Magic powdered silica to Growtek ProSilicate. I struggle with high temps and I am convinced it helps - but its quite possible its a placebo effect and I gain little to no benefit. I sense an experiment coming on!

 

[Waira]

Hi Always'- Given that you're nearly done, skip the extra silica supp's; There's a huge difference between the liquid forms, which a soluble potassium silicate, and DE, which is basically glass- SiO2 (silica dioxide, insoluble).... DE kills by piercing the tender parts of the bugs body (in between joints, segments etc.,) and bleeding them out! I have a great article on Si I'll post here,... it does many good things for the plant, solid science behind it all....*** ...next time, just use mosquito dunks to kill the gnats, or the equivalent: the "active" ingredient is a bacteria that gets into their guts and ruins them! Harmless to plants and all but a few other bug types...


http://www.cannabis.info/UK/library/5474-the-marvels-of-silicon/

 

[Alwaysautos]

Hi Always'- Given that you're nearly done, skip the extra silica supp's; There's a huge difference between the liquid forms, which a soluble potassium silicate, and DE, which is basically glass- SiO2 (silica dioxide, insoluble).... DE kills by piercing the tender parts of the bugs body (in between joints, segments etc.,) and bleeding them out! I have a great article on Si I'll post here,... it does many good things for the plant, solid science behind it all....*** ...next time, just use mosquito dunks to kill the gnats, or the equivalent: the "active" ingredient is a bacteria that gets into their guts and ruins them! Harmless to plants and all but a few other bug types... http://www.cannabis.info/UK/library/5474-the-marvels-of-silicon/

Hey Waira, once again thanks so much for your detailed answer - its awesome that you guys take the time to write stuff like this (and that goes for everyone that has helped me!)

I´m not using silica on my current grow now - I tend to stop as I make the switch to flowering nutes - usually around week 4 on the fast strains. This is me being a bit OCD and planning my next grow - I´m gonna do Sweet Seeds Auto Trainwreck & Bloody Skunk and I´m really impatient to get them going!

You mentioned mosquito dunks before but I haven´t found them yet (I live in Spain & have no idea what they sell as!) but my gnats are under control thankfully (the ones in the tent anyway!). I´m trying to prevent them on the next grow hence the DE. Maybe I should just stick with what I know and be more vigilant for pests.

 

[Waira]

:Sharing One: you're welcome! Well, since Si helps a lot with branch strength, keep using it until the last few weeks.... after all, bloom is when the real weight is going to be put on! Funny, how much good Si does, yet is not considered an required nutrient,...technical definition of such must be why... Anyway, in the future, feel free to keep it as part of the usual supp's, just follow application directions on the bottle... Excellent as a additive when foliar spraying! This is a very good skill to learn, and you will need it someday guaranteed... It's the fastest way into the plant when there's a nute' defc., and it bypasses the roots/medium which is great when there are pH/lockout issues... Oh, gotta have a water spreader or wetting agent for best results,.... this stuff keeps your spray solution from just beading up and rolling off; more coverage means more absorbed!

 

[GCase]

Interesting.

Loads of Si in DE. Recall some growers using a layer of sand or clay pebbles to keep the critters from easily invading the medium. Use inert sand--not green which is also heavy on Si (but have good mg for late in grow).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth