Purty plants. 
Like others stated, let them stretch a little more and they will begin yo connect together and fill in.
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Plants are going to stretch at the start of flower light intensity does help keep it down but the strain is what makes the ultimate decision, most sativas will stretch a lot more than the indica strains. Hybrid strains are hard because it’s hybrid seed from the same pac can go different ways one sativa another indica and another mixed giving you three different height plants 
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Thanks friends! I figured this was “the stretch” but whew! That sativa is super stretchy! I can’t imagine it it actually fills in all the way 
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Another question!! Talk to me about Silica.
I know it can help strengthen stems to support heavy buds. Do I need it? Does it work well with organic soils and Earth Dust?
If so, recommendations?
And…. 4” AC Infinity Fan added last night. Man this thing is nice! So much more of a consistent environment! Happy plants. And I love the app!
Photo of the awesome app because awesome
@JaneQP @VirginiaGrowBoy @MeEasy @Storm
@beardless @nmgeo
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I use silica blast when needed. Strengthens branches well.
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Lol so true. I haven’t made all the mistakes yet. But I’m working on it.
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They look perfect.
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Yeah I like the app too. However I want the new wifi controller 69 probably will not like the price 
no price on it yet. Will be out May 22
Don’t worry about silica too much. Best way was mentioned Vermiculite natural way to get more.
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I use a powder potassium silicate from kisorganics I don’t use it as directed but I feel it’s like a vitamin. Silica is not just to strengthen branches it helps plants to be more tolerant to heat , cold , drought , and resistant to mildew n rust and even bugs if you use it as a foliar spray… I’m sure I forgot something 
this is what I use and I add some about every 10-15 days start to finish
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I like to add Silica at the beginning of flower. Some add it during veg too. I don’t because I don’t want stems stiffening up while I am still training them.
I use a liquid silica supplement like Silica Boost from Bloom City. I like it because it is 0-0-1 so it is not adding a lot of other nutrients. I have also used Rhino Skin from Advanced Nutrients. A popular soluble powder is Agsil 16 potassium Silicate.
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The only other thing I add is aloe vera it to I think of as a vitamin kinda thing
copy paste from my notes
Aloe contains dozens of micronutrients, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It is known to aid in seed germination and root development. Aloe also reduces transplant shock and boosts plants immune systems – making them more resistant to disease, drought, and other stress.
Oh and I lied I just started this grow using the yucca plant extract stuff, so far I’ve used it once two days after top dressing my plants. Using Earth Dust the soil creates a little crust I think it’s from the molasses in the boost I’m not sure but so far the yucca stuff is working amazingly I don’t have to wait for the water to soak through that crust. I already had some sledgehammer from fox farm on my shelf so that’s the one I’m using once it starts getting close to the bottom I’ll look around for the best priced product that is from a reputable manufacturer, might stick with sledgehammer just don’t know yet
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I have RAW Yucca from NPK and don’t use it as often as I should. I’ve added it with other nutrients (Jack’s) a couple of times during veg. I believe it is even more effective when applied as a foliar spray.
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@Storm Cool. You say “when needed”. When do you see it’s needed? Am I looking for something in the plants? Timing?
@anon72256435 Interesting! I switched to living soil mid grow. So I’m late to the game on adding vermiculite to the soil. But I have a half a bag from something else. So next grow, I’ll add it to the mix!
@nmgeo Yeah, I would have preferred the Wi-Fi too. But I was hitting 78% humidity. So I really couldn’t wait much longer. I was just asking for bud rot.
@MeEasy Wow. I didn’t know silica did all that. Sounds like a great supplement to add to the mix! Do you use it as a foliar spray or in your water or both?
@beardless Thanks for the options. I’m going to look into those. I think I like the idea of a liquid.
And…. @MeEasy @beardless I’m trying to take small bites of the elephant 
. Okay now tell me about aloe and/or yucca. Why do I need this? How do I know?
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The other benefit to yucca it helps with drainage. I was having issues with not being able to keep the soil mix moist. It was recommend by the company that makes Earthdust.
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I just put it in my water (1/2tsp/gallon) and give it to em about every 10-15 days
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Got a question for you Ms Bunny you ever use diatomaceous earth for pests it is also loaded with Silica? Read a little on it today. I know that stuff is very fine particles and a mask and googles are recommended… But it cuts lots of pests too.
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YUCCA
Ms @JaneQP had asked TGSC about an issue with watering and they recommended it I’ve used it once a couple days after top dressing my plants because that’s when I had some problems with the water soaking in and it seems to be working good.
copy paste from my notes
Yucca Plant Extract is a Plant Biostimulant that can be used to improve soil and plant growth and health. Improving permeability at the soil surface, as well as nutrient use efficiency at the root zone. Yucca extracts increase the dispersal of liquids, and allows for higher infiltration rates and improved soil and plant performance.
Yucca contains many complex sugars that are also a major benefit to living soils. This helps to create the conditions for a diverse and vibrant soil ecosystem. These sugars feed and energize soil microbes, allowing these beneficials to multiply and work with plants to gather nutrients, protect against pathogens, and grow better plants
ALOE
I’ve been using aloe since back in the 90s I add it to my water as a powder (1/8tsp/gallon) I get mine from Amazon any powder is fine as long as it says 200x and it’s only aloe no perfumes etc
copy paste from my notes
Aloe vera
Aloe contains dozens of micronutrients, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It is known to aid in seed germination and root development. Aloe also reduces transplant shock and boosts plants immune systems – making them more resistant to disease, drought, and other stress
POTASSIUM SILICATE
copy paste from my notes
Potassium silicate
Potassium also helps regulate the opening and closing of the stomata, which regulates the exchange of water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide. If K is deficient or not supplied in adequate amounts, it stunts plant growth and reduces yield
silica can do the following amazing things for your plants:
Create stronger cell walls, and therefore larger stalks and plants.
Increase resistance to environmental stress, particularly against heat stress, cold nights, and drought!
Increase resistance to pathogens and fungal infections like powdery mildew and rust
Reduce susceptibility to pests by finely coating the leaves, especially against leaf-sucking insects like whitefly and mites.
Increase a plants metabolism to produce more chlorophyll, lush leaves, and reduce leaf wilt
Edit… I forgot to say I use the potassium silicate and aloe vera together on the same days not for any other reason then to keep track of when and if I give it
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If growing short i do not use much. I use it a lot when i veg out photos in a 20gal pot. They get really big and need the stems solid. More so than when i go short. At stretch i hittem a little harder also. That way the branches get solid before they pack on the flowers.
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Yucca is an add on. It is not necessary. I started using it when I tried peat as a medium. The surface of peat when dry sheds water so I used Yucca to reduce the tendency of peat to do this.
Since I have it, and a very little goes as long way, so I use it.
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@nmgeo I have a nice 50 lb bag of DE in the garage. I use it outdoors on the earwigs that attack the garden. Also have a little powder pump thingy to spray the leaves. I don’t like it indoors as much because water turns it into a big crusty clump.
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