What does Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder do for plants, and what problem does it solve?
Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder supplies Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Calcium, Magnesium, and a broad spectrum of trace elements that are often missing from modern growing media. Silicon is present in most native soils but is only available to plant roots in the soluble form known as monosilicic acid, and Silica Earth contains 0.45% monosilicic acid along with mineral-solubilizing microbes that break down particles for rapid plant uptake. Growers have described the product as a game-changer for addressing damage from pests and disease.
Is Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder approved for organic growing, and is the product OMRI certified?
Yes, Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder is approved for organic agriculture and is both OMRI and OIM registered, making the product suitable for certified organic operations. Silica Earth is described as the only OMRI and OIM registered dry silica product with 45% or more SiO2 on the market.
What growing media and application methods are compatible with Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder?
Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder works as a dry mineral additive for soil, coco, and rockwool substrate applications, and can also be mixed with liquid nutrients, compost tea, and foliar sprays. The micronized form is water soluble and wettable, making Silica Earth safe to use on or near plant roots and suitable for hydroponic systems without clogging equipment.
Why is the micronized form of Silica Earth better for hydroponics than granular silica or liquid potassium silicate products?
Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder is ground down to 2 to 4 microns, making the powder water soluble and wettable so the material will not clog hydroponic equipment. Potassium silicate, the base of most competing liquid silica products, is best used as a foliar and cannot replace SiO2 because monosilicic acid is the only form of Silicon Dioxide that plant roots can actually uptake. Liquid silica products also contain mostly water, meaning growers pay for less active mineral content per dollar compared to a concentrated dry powder like Silica Earth.
When should Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder be applied during the growing cycle?
Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder is recommended to be applied early and often throughout the growing cycle for best results. The powder can be used as a dry top-dress scratched into soil, mixed directly into substrate, or added to liquid nutrient feeds and foliar sprays at any stage, following the manufacturer's recommended rates.
What makes Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder different from other dry silica mineral products?
Silica Earth Volcanic Micronized Powder is the only volcanically derived natural form of Silicon Dioxide available that is naturally micronized to 2 to 4 microns, and the product includes mineral-solubilizing microbes, a first in the category, which break down the already fine particles for rapid plant utilization. The formula also delivers Calcium, Magnesium, and all required trace elements in a single powder, rather than supplying silicon alone.
