When you think of the essential nutrients that plants need to survive, three probably come to mind. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are the absolute necessities that your plants require, but there are other nutrients that are important too, and others that can seriously boost your plant health.
Silica is one of those nutrients. But what is silica and how exactly does it help your plants?
What is silica?
The common term for silicon dioxide, silica is formed when silicon comes into contact with oxygen. It is one of the main components of the Earth’s crust, making up sand on beaches, sitting within quartz crystals and silica is also an essential ingredient for making glass.
It is commonly found in soils and is a major component of plant tissue, sometimes in even higher concentrations than nitrogen and potassium, two of the three primary nutrients.
However like we said earlier, silica isn't considered one of the primary nutrients which is why some growers can easily overlook it as part of their regiment.
The Benefits of Silica
Silica can provide several benefits for your plants. However the most notable benefit is cell wall strength.
Basically, silica fortifies cells from the inside out. Being the building blocks of a plant's structure, strengthening the cell walls helps the plant build strong branches and stems that are capable of supporting your fruit or flower when it fully develops.
Not only do thicker stems support your plants, they can also uptake and transport more water, nutrients, and plant secretions throughout the plant body, facilitating faster growth and of course, bigger plants. And that's not all.
Just like humans take vitamins to get nutrients our bodies may not produce, silica acts like a vitamin for your plants. It can help your plants fight off environmental challenges like hot or cold temperatures. Silica also helps prevent your plants from drying out more quickly because of how it thickens cell walls, decreasing transpiration.
Add even more benefits like resistance to powdery mildew and pests and the ability to use it throughout your plants' life cycle and it's pretty hard to come up with a reason not to use silica!
Best Silica Supplements
Silica is becoming a more popular supplement for growers, which means there's more than option for growers looking to try it out. Here's a few of our recommendations for great silica products.
Silicium Monosilic Acid
Silicium is a clear and stabilized product, manufactured in a professional laboratory ensuring the highest possible quality standards. When added in water, the silicic acid molecules break apart into monomer form which makes them instantly available to the plants
Silicium also contains soluble potash, boron to enhance calcium uptake and stimulate the production of plant fibers, and molybdenum to convert inorganic phosphates to organic forms in the plant.
Power Si Original
If you're looking to improve the strength of your plants Power Si is one of the best amendments you can use. Power Si is unlike other silicon amendments, it works quickly and well.
Adding Power Si to your nutritional regiment results in noticeably thicker & stronger stems by working as a transport agent bringing nutrients from your root zone to the rest of your plant.
Aptus FaSilitor
Aptus FaSilitor paves the way for plants to take in the nutrients they need exactly when they need it, helping plants develop a natural resistance to disease and pest attacks.
Results are often dramatic, but rest assured, it’s completely natural. Specific micronutrients take the place of plant growth regulators you’ll find in other fertilizer brands, like silicic acid, molybdenum and boron.
Whether you're just starting your plants down the path of growth or flipping them into flower, you can use silica to boost cell wall strength, increase water and nutrient uptake, plus a plethora of other benefits.
While the above products are all liquids, you can also get silica in a granular form. There's also no shortage of other supplements that can really impact your plant growth.