I have seen a couple posts recently about silica needing to “bond” with the water before adding nutes. In one case it was a recommendation to allow some time after mixing because “I heard”, the other was a comment to dilute silica in water prior to adding to nute mix in the event you neglected to add it first or bad chemistry results.
What’s the skinny? Specifically regarding adding Jack’s part A after silica. I’ve noticed that when adding part A after silica I get a faint black/dark brown cloud that dissipates after a minute or two. Normal and of no concern or should I be waiting after adding silica before moving to the next step?
All I know is to let it sit before adding anything. I use it and Jack’s also. At it to water first, sit a half hour, then Jack’s. pH adjust after Jack’s. Not sure exactly the why of it.
Half hour? After I saw the first comment on a waiting period I started giving about 10 minutes. The cloud is not as pronounced. I’ll have to try longer. Wish I knew what was going on, though.
Add the silica and shake vigorously or allow the mixture so set for 10-20 minutes. The cloud is normal when adding in part A. You can mix part A and epsom in together. Just make sure that the solution dilutes fully (the epsom takes the longest to dissolve) before adding in the part B.
I made the mistake of not letting it sit the first time I used it. Didn’t hurt the photos I have, but the auto haaaaated it. Started clawing and has been real sensitive to nitrogen since. Beauty of Jack’s, you can adjust the ratios! But I say only say thirty minutes because that’s about how long it takes me to smoke a bowl then a cigarette. And that’s what I do immediately after adding silica lol.
I typically just add it in after the chlorine is gassed off (I use my tap water). Then just mix my nutes normally when it’s watering day. I have several jugs so it’ll sit in there a couple of days sometimes.
I’ve gone as long as 4 days. I don’t typically mix the jacks in until I need it. Just the silica. But sometimes I forget some plants were just fed and mix up more than I need.
Ok. I’m using right about 5 gallons every 3 days. I will mix a separate gallon and let it sit for a couple days and see if the auto freaks out with it. If it doesn’t hurt her, the others will be fine.
Thanks, good to know. I’ve been putting the Epsom and A in together, but I thought the Epsom was a quick dissolve - and it goes just about invisible when wet. At least for these rheumy old eyes.
I add first but liquid Armor-Si so I mix vigorously and then just keep adding I don’t let it sit either at all have had no bubbles or cloudiness or issues with plants nutrient uptake thus far knock on wood!
I add last as well I never heard it needed to sit but I do stir it vigorously into the solo cup mixture before adding it back to the gallon , girls don’t complain, my gorilla glue auto has one of the thickest strongest base stem from 2 ml of silica a week, I dread having to cut through that come harvest time
U can skip the ph’ing after silica before base nutes. Atleast alot of ppl do. I prefer to ph like u listed bc i feel the nutes will mix better at a normal ph. My water with silica mixed is at a 9.0 usually. You wont have problem either way.
Best ways i found so far for jacks. Hottest tap u can get dilute and break down part a in one cup of hal cup of water to a cup and part b in another cup. While they sit and break down take silica and add to bucket mix well i never leave it to set but a few mins while i stir the part a amd part b once they r mixed up and broke down if i add calmag i add that after silica. Then part a after part a stir up add whatever else u add in fulvic or anything besides part b thatbis always last last. Now if u happen to forget to do silica first add it to ro water like a half gallon ro water with silica mixed in then pour into the bucket. Ive never had anything bond unless i poured silica right into bucket. Dilute it firat then mix it silica will bond to other nutes in the water right away if not diluted down.
As far as watering schedule I’ve seen some people say they do one with jacks and silica and then next watering they just add tribus and water and then just keep alternating.
Is this how you do it or do you add jacks every time you water until you flush at the end?
