Will Silica help figs become more disease resistant and more hardy to winter frosts?
First of all Silica can be found in most soils. Silica Blast helps strengthen plant tissue allowing plants to flourish in adverse environmental conditions such as heat, drought and frost. Silica Blast is a beneficial nutrient supplement to be used in conjunction with Botanicare nutrients or your preferred standard nutrient program. Silica Blast is ideal of sue in container gardens or soil-less hydrogardening applications. Derived From: Sodium silicate, Potassium silicate. The silicate in Silica Blast encourages the formation of a silicate matrix which reduces transpiration and may allow plant so continue photosynthesis under increased temperatures by strengthening plant cell walls. Benefits: Helps plants flourish in extreme environments, Useful in multiple growing environments, Continued photosynthesis in hotter environments, Strengthens stems, Increased dry weight in most plant varieties, Stabilized pH in recirculating hydrogardens.
SILICA BLASTS
Now for most of us in the cooler regions of the US, they main concern is to protect the Breba wood in the winters months from dying.
My hypothesis is that Silica Blasts should aid in the strength of the Fig plant's ability to withstand the winter. Or atleast prepare the new growth achieved during the summer to better fight off the winter frosts.
So in theory, if the plant does better to fight off the cold, it should yield a better Breba crop.
The experiment:
I will take 2 Desert King fig cuttings and grow them in the same medium, pot size, and watering schedule. The difference will be one will be fed with Silica the other won't be.
Hello Ben, I've seen a ton of your videos over the last year.
ReplyDelete1. How's the silica blast experiment going?
2. Also, my Black Madeira have been doing really well in their 1st year at 4' tall and just under a PH of 8. I see you were recommending 5.5 PH. I've seen other sites say in the 6 - 6.5 and others 6 - 8 for general fig growing. Are you seeing a benefit in the 5.5 PH with flavor and or growing conditions over closer to 7 PH?
3. Also any opinions on me planting my 3rd BM in the ground this fall (is 2' tall rooted from 3/17 and kept inside so it hasn't fruited like my other 2 outside zone 7A Virginia). Thanks