Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
Not exactly - Schmoe saidIs this not what everyone is saying? Si > CaMg+ > Check PH > Nutes > Adjust Ph > Wait 30 min > Check and Adjust PH.
The reason to check the PH before nutes is with salts it can participate if the Si pushes the water to be a strong base. With organics it can destroy any microbes.
I say that can be a problem with some lines that lower the pH to then have to use a significant amount of UP to adjust. Many UP's contain potassium silicate as a main ingr.You should always wait to adjust your ph until after you've added everything else.
Si reacts with Ca, and forms a presip. and the pH of the water does not change that. Hence, if using an UP. You have 2 choices.
#1: Learn how much UP you need to use to get where your target pH is in a gallon of feed. Then add that amount first.
#2: Get a pH up adjuster that does not use potassium silicate. Technoflora is one, and G&H up is another that do not use K2O3Si.....
I would also add the Ca last....personal choice.
Use of Si in soil is not required and the actual benefits are rather muted. Soil plants get all they really need from the soil.....You water, you get Si available to the plant from the action of hydration. Organic soils increase availability a bit more.
Grass's do require a bit extra and this is best exemplified by rice.
Broad leaf plants grown in soil, not really....
In hydro growing, it's a good idea to use Si.