How do I get them thick stems?

[jondamon]

I was actually really wondering cause I’ve never touch silica and grow some trunks. But that’s outdoors. Maybe my soil is just sufficient in silica

It’s the K in silica that aids the strengthening of the stems etc.

 

[bam0813]

Right on. I understand this . Just thrown off by a matter of fact kinda statement. Like I said I’ve never purposely added silica to anything but i realise it’s important but surely silica, always use silica can’t be the determining factor as stated atleast not in soil.

 

[bam0813]

Again I wasn’t debating, relative noob ,was genuinely interested in subject

 

[Hiphophippo]

I read that thread awhile back she uses silica and grows in straight compost amended for aeration I use the silica and if done right will create very large stems and I believe she uses three hundred gallon pots

 

[bam0813]

So grown in straight npk? Would they not get as big, granted less strong, without additional silica is kinda what I’m asking

 

[bam0813]

Maybe silica is lacking in compost? Again relative noob but was expecting more answers of N than silica

 

[mudballs]

So grown in straight npk? Would they not get as big, granted less strong, without additional silica is kinda what I’m asking

I highly doubt there'd be so significant a difference it would cause you to say "omg we have to use silica all the time now"
Aint smoking girthy stems lol

 

[Danja-83]

It's all about getting a well established root system indoors , then planting out before peak summer to carry on the vigorous growth pattern in warm soil. I had one last year in the uk with a stem near that , vegged for 6 weeks indoors.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the stems where the water movement takes place? Wouldn't a high demand for water make the stems keep getting bigger?

 

[Hiphophippo]

So grown in straight npk? Would they not get as big, granted less strong, without additional silica is kinda what I’m asking

Yes additional silica and the thing about the silica is you have to use it through the plants whole life veg thru flower or you don’t get the benefits of it

 

[Billy the Mountain]

It’s the K in silica that aids the strengthening of the stems etc.

No, its the silica

 

[Hiphophippo]

It also states in her post the plants I think are six weeks old when put outside so considering that’s really not that long and she had very good results. It’s a matter of the perfect environment and perfect watering and media. It seems she had all that that year. that with good compost and added silica

 

[bam0813]

Maybe I have to rethink my question. IF growing in soil does adding additional silica matter if it’s already the most common mineral found there

 

[Hiphophippo]

Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the stems where the water movement takes place? Wouldn't a high demand for water make the stems keep getting bigger?

Yes and you get that larger initial stem with the silica. So the stem gets bigger with the uptake of silica so In turn it can uptake more silica and get even bigger and uptake even more silica and then we got a cedar sized tree lol

 

[bam0813]

I also think we’re overlooking the fact that all these monster stems we see, in my observation, are grown outdoors and in soil in big pots. That leads me back to why I think it’s health veg time sun genetics

 

[Hiphophippo]

Maybe I have to rethink my question. IF growing in soil does adding additional silica matter if it’s already the most common mineral found there

Yes it helps create a larger root mass and larger individual roots so the plant can uptake more nutrients and more water there for creating a larger stem

 

[Hiphophippo]

I also think we’re overlooking the fact that all these monster stems we see, in my observation, are grown outdoors and in soil in big pots. That leads me back to why I think it’s health veg time sun genetics

It’s all of it and the silica

 

[bam0813]

See this is where I’m off I think . I thought as I stated silica is responsible for thickening cell wall and fighting of disease and mold right makes sense” thick skin” but isn’t the biomass generated by N? I told you, relative noob

 

[Hiphophippo]

Yes it is generated thru nitrogen uptake so with a stronger cell wall your plant can utilize the uptake of said extra nitrogen and not get burnt and by doing this it creates larger stems you create a stronger cell with the silica and the uptake of evrything else grows and then you see the effects thru a stronger plant and larger stems you are correct but missing the reason for the silica it’s not changing what makes the plant grow it’s changing how it grows by creating a need for more nutrient uptake and usage sorry was using voice to text this is one large sentence

 

[bam0813]

Thank you sir for possibly the best answer I’ve ever got