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Growth Technology SILICA 250ml

$14.00 NZD

New to New Zealand from the clever guys and gals at Growth Technology comes GT Silica, known as 'Nature's Bodyguard', now available in the new 250ml size (1 litre available here). One 5ml pipette included FREE with every order (not one per bottle). Get extras here: 5ml pipette or 3ml pipette.

 

Why give plants silica?



Silica is a natural powerhouse nutrient abundant outdoors but missing indoors. Adding Silica to your feeding routine gives indoor plants the protection that nature would normally provide, making plants stronger and hardier, both physically and by supporting stronger defences against pests, diseases and environmental stresses. It's like a bodyguard for your plants!


PS: This is the same brand of silica Professor Monstera recommends to “help you keep the whites from browning” on Monstera Albo, also used for other highly-variegated indoor plants.


Which plants need GT Silica?


    All plants benefit from Silica but not all plants need it. Outdoors if you test your soil you may find silica in abundance due to soil water, however indoors silica is not naturally available. Silica can be used as a pro-active protectant for any plant not already getting silica naturally, or where soil water is deficient.

    Silica can also be used defensively for plants under stress or attack, however is best used proactively 'little and often' as silica is not a mobile nutrient, meaning plants can't correct a deficiency by shifting silica within itself. Plants rely on their substrate to meet their silica needs.

    Silica also strengthens
    sensitive or weaker plants prone to stem weakness, browning and wilting, and helps plant's prone to attack by pests, fungus such as root rot, powdery mildew, leaf rot and other diseases.


    Roots or foliage?



    Silica is best made available to plants via the roots, but when more urgent action is required, use GT Foliar which provides a boost of silica as a foliar spray for more immediate uptake, then continue with GT Silica long-term provided through the roots. 


      What's in GT Silica?


      A concentrated blend of silicic acid and potassium hydroxide (called potassium silicate). Considered the superior form of silica for plants. 


      Silica for environmental stress


      Plants deposit silica in their cell walls, strengthening roots, stems and leaves, acting as a protective barrier between the plant and the environment. Silica increases physical strength for plants prone to weak stems, browning, drooping or wilting leaves. The protective barrier also helps plants handle water and temperature stress. Reducing the impact of under- and over-watering as well as extreme hot or cold temperatures.


      Silica for pests


      Silica is part of nature’s defence system against pests that feed on roots, stems and leaves, such as fungus gnat larvae, mealybugs and root mealies, aphids, thrips and spider mites.

      As well as making the external barrier harder for pests to penetrate and feed, silica also makes plants less palatable and harder to digest, slowing insect growth and reproduction.

      Silica's been shown to more quickly block the flow of sap when a plant is under attack from sucking insects like aphids and mealybugs. Plants have also been shown to continue to send silica to damaged areas after the threat is gone, so silica is also thought to assist with faster recovery.


      Silica for browning in variegated leaves


      If you're an international Professor Monstera Method fan and have come here looking for silica in New Zealand, this is the same brand of silica the Professor recommends to "help you keep the whites from browning”.


        Directions for use


        How much?


        Mix up to 5ml GT Silica to 1 litre water (to maintain 20ppm silica). Use less - from 1ml per 1 litre water - if there are existing silica sources in your water or substrate (5mls is full strength).

        Although the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, a component of most rocks, the concentration of silica in soil water is not that high (rocks don’t tend to be all that soluble). Silica concentration in soil water generally doesn’t get above 20ppm (the level GT Silica maintains at the 5ml dose).

        Silicates are very alkaline in their concentrated form in the bottle. Either wear gloves when handling the liquid, or take care not to spill on your skin (or clothes). It's best to just use a 5ml pipette (supplied free) to get how much you need straight from the bottle. Safety data sheet available here.

        Add Silica separate to your nutrient solution, or if following the Professor Monster method, always add silica first, wait 15 minutes, stir then add your GT Focus fertiliser of choice to the mix before watering roots. 


        How often?


        Silica is not a mobile nutrient. Plants rely on a regular supply. For best results, add GT Silica every time you water or every week.


        Customer Reviews

        Based on 2 reviews
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        F
        Felicity
        GT Silica

        This is an amazing product, my indoor plants love it. Highly recommend!

        B
        Brent W.
        Silica Power !

        Definitely a great product for all my plants but especially my variegated plants. With the dropper you can distribute the right amount and my plants are so happy for it

        Shipping and Delivery FAQ's


        SHIPPING RATES


        Shipping
         is FREE for all orders $99+. For orders under $99Auckland Standard $5 or signature required $7 or rural $9. Rest of the North Island and South Island: Standard $8 or signature required $10 or rural $12. Plants, fragile and overweight/oversize parcels have separate rates. 


        IN STOCK IN NZ


        Stock levels are live. Everything showing in stock online, is in stock right here, right now, in Auckland New Zealand, ready to ship. No drop shipping from other countries. No delays.

         

        SHIPPING EVERY DAY


        Orders ship every week-day. Orders placed before 7pm Mon to Thurs leave the next morning. Zoom zoom! Fri morning orders usually ship Fri afternoon, and Sat & Sun orders up to 4pm Sun leave Mon (or the next working day after public holidays).

         

        FAST DELIVERY


        Normal delivery is 1 to 3 working days. Rural and some regions can take a day or two longer, depending on where you're based (orders ship from Auckland). 

        More about shipping and delivery > 

         

        HAPPY CUSTOMERS


        "I can’t recommend love that leaf highly enough. I’ve bought a couple of times so far and on both occasions Anna has been more helpful than I could possibly wish for. 5 stars! Don’t hesitate to order from Love That Leaf. Excellent service and super fast delivery." Rob Gordon

        Why choose to buy from Love That Leaf?

        YOU'RE SUPPORTING LOCAL

        When you buy from me you're supporting a small, local, family business. Love That Leaf is a registered NZ business, based in Auckland. 


        IN STOCK NOW + NEXT DAY DISPATCH 

        You'll get your planty goodies super fast. Everything showing in stock on the website is right here in NZ, in stock, ready to ship. I ship daily, Monday to Friday. Orders normally leave the courier the same or next working day. Zoom zoom!


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        I stand by everything I sell and will always help put right anything that goes wrong. When you choose to buy from a registered NZ business (like me), you're also covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act, unlike overseas purchases or private sales, where you can end up stuck with no rights if anything arrives damaged or stops working.


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        I won't go AWOL on you. I'm here for support and advice anytime, even if you haven't bought from me yet. A lot of lovely people helped me along my plant journey, and I want to pay it forward. Please don't hesitate to ask for help. No obligation at all to purchase. 


        HAPPY CUSTOMERS


        "Super impressed with this business. Something that is lost nowadays, is customer service. This however is not the case with Anna from Love that Leaf. Very happy with my purchase, very happy with the product information provided and very happy with the quick shipping and great packaging. Thanks!" Melayna Anderson

        FREE shipping for orders $99+
        Pay later Afterpay & ZIP
        100% NZ In stock in NZ ready to ship
        Fast delivery 1 to 3 days for most of NZ
        FREE Shipping For all orders $99+ shipping NZ wide
        Pay later Afterpay and ZIP available
        100% NZ NZ owned. All in stock locally.
        Guaranteed :) Anything wrong I'll put it right