Super Silica
%w/w NPK 0 – 0 – 20 as K2O
31 % SiO2 (14.95% Si)
14.1% Plant available Silicon (PAS) determined by the American Association of Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) approved 5-day method
Specific Gravity 1.6
Recommended usage rate 0.25ml/L throughout grow and bloom
Benefits
· Increased disease resistance
· Increased resistance to pathogenic airborne fungi (e.g. Powdery Mildew)
· Increased resistance to waterborne pathogens
· Increased resistance to insects/pests
· Increased strength in cell structure
· Increased stress tolerance
· Increased drought tolerance
· Increased salt tolerance
· Increased yields
· Increased quality (higher essential oil production)
Super Silica Overview
Super silica is the most concentrated agricultural grade liquid silica product on the market today. When Super Silica is compared to most other brands, when applied at an equivalent ml/L usage rate, it proves to provide significantly more ‘Plant Available Silicon’ (PAS) to hydroponic solutions.
The quality of a silica product for use in hydroponics comes down to the amount (%) of ‘plant available Si’ (PAS) that any given product provides. This can be accurately measured using the 5-day method for determining the soluble silica (Si) concentration.
Currently, as I write this, the Californian Department of Agriculture (CDFA) is working towards standardizing this test for listing Si percentages (as PAS) on silica product labels. This is being done so that consumers are able to evaluate just what they are getting for their money with regards to plant available silica in any given silica additive.
Below is a table showing the plant available Si (PAS) percentages in just some of the various silica products that are available through hydroponic stores and/or agricultural suppliers. All tests conducted using the 5-day method for determining the soluble Si concentration.
Comparison of Super Silica to other Brands re Plant Available Si (PAS)
|
Manufacturer & Branding |
Plant Available Si% (Soluble Si) |
|
Med-Tek Super Silica |
14.1% |
|
PQ Corp Agsil 16H |
8.54% |
|
PQ Corp Agsil 25 |
7.6% |
|
Plant Science Concepts OSA 28 |
1.06% |
|
Mills Vitalize |
0.94% |
|
Fertimaster Power Si |
0.88% |
|
Aptus Fasilitor |
0.85% |
|
Loveland Products SST 28% (Stabilized Silica Technology) |
0.44% |
You’ll note that on top of the list is Med-Tek Super Silica. You’ll also note that Med-Tek Super Silica tested at the highest percentage of ‘plant available Si’ at 14.1%. The next highest testing product being Agsil 16H ‘K Sil’ (potassium silicate) powder which tested at 8.54%, or 5.56% less PAS than Med-Tek Super Silica.
What this really means is that when purchasing Super Silica growers are getting more bang for their buck!
