Anyone using Higromite???

[Stormcooker]

Has anyone tried Higromite growing medium (like expanded clay but different) and been able to see the difference in growth it claims to bring over clay pebbles such as Hydroton? It claims to have much higher levels of silica, and improves a plant's overall yeild. I would rerally like try it next time. I have bought a silica supplement to see if I see results and improvements it claims to bring for my Hydroton medium I use now. G2g

[Zandor]

Keep us updated will ya. I have not tried that yet, I still have a huge supply of grow rocks. But if it's better then I will change as well.

[Stormcooker]

I have a lot of HYdroton left too. In fact, I just got a 10 liter bag before I read about this Higromite. It's cheapo though, Higromite is like $22 US for 20 Liters. I will pick some up for the next grow and try it. It will be tough to compare the two though, I don't use clones or identical plants. My grapefruits are 3 different sizes in the Hydroton due to 65% stability rate (65% similar in size) as noted by the seed company's description.
Like I said though I will be trying the Silica Blast when it arrives (by wednesday) because of the benefits it claims to have. So essentially I will be supplementing the hydroton with silica, which the Higromite claims to contain naturally. I wonder if Higromite and Silica Blast would be silica overkill? I thing the SIlica Blast with Hydroton will be a good combo. I'll keep you posted.

[Zandor]

I use calmag plus anyway because I use RO water with a little Advanced Nutrients Barricade. Keep us informed I would be intrested in knowing how it comes out.

[Stormcooker]

WILL DO

here's 32 days from seed. I changed the rez last night to early bloom phase nutes. I had a sharp rise in pH while I was away for the day today. It went from 5.8 to 6.6. in 13 hours. I'll know for next time. I have a feeling that the Silica Blast may help stabilize the pH early on like that. I think the Hygrozyme may have something to do with the quick rise in pH, although not a bad thing if you look after things. I can tell with each nute change that the new dose of Hygrozyme goes to work on the root system immediatly. You can see what the enzymes do to the roots by looking closely at the resevoir. It's almost like it causes the roots to "shed their skin" and rinse away old root matter into the resevoir. Supposedly the exfoliated root matter turns to sugar or is utilized somehow by the plants or so it says. It does make your new resevoir look not so new though. That's my observation anyway.

[Stormcooker]

Zandor, tell me about calmag and barricade. I hope that my regimen doesn't need it but I'm always curious about supplements. I use GH's full line of products with Floranova, Chi, Diamond Nectar, Florasheild, and Floraliscious. It's quite a concoction but they recomend it.

[Zandor]

The RO process removes minerals the plant needs so you need to put them back in.

Cal-Mag Plus is a custom plant supplement designed to help with calcium, magnesium and iron deficiencies in nutrient fertilizer programs. Cal-Mag Plus serves as a catalyst for the major elements to work in symbiosis with one another to prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers and tip burn in lettuce. Cal-Mag Plus is a bio-catalyst for plants; a highly beneficial plant nutrient supplement to correct the inherit problem of calcium, magnesium and iron mineral deficiencies found in most soil fertilizers and some Hydroponic nutrient liquid concentrated formulas. It will help prevent blossom end rot, Interveinal chlorosis, Stunted growth rates and upward leaf curl. Increases Cell division and plant tissue development, water, nutrient and carbon dioxide uptake, Growth rates and crop maturity.

Advanced Nutrients Barricade
Plants need silicon to build strong cell walls and maintain maximal metabolism. Our Barricade potassium silicate formula will substantially strengthen your plant's vigor by increasing cell wall stability and internal functions.

Thatâ??s from their website, I canâ??t say it any better.