Gt Silica
AU$19.00
The Professor's secret to keeping all his Monstera Albo, looking white with no browning..
This product makes the leaves on your plants stronger, thicker, thus helping keep the white white!!!!
Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earths crust making up a component of most rocks. Plants absorb silicon from silica that has dissolved into the soil water. As you can imagine the concentration of silicon in soil water is not that high because rocks do not tend to be all that soluble. Silicon concentration in soil water generally does not get above 20 ppm and this is the level we recommend for hydroponic nutrient solutions.
Silicon is a beneficial plant nutrient found in virtually all soils but not, until now, in hydroponic nutrient solutions. Silicon will strengthen plant cell walls and become a barrier against water loss, fungal infection, particularly mildews, and insect and mite attack.
Silicates are very alkaline and care must be taken with its use. Always check the pH after silicon has been added to the tank.
Handling and Care
- always wear gloves and eye protection
- always store in a locked cupboard
- keep away from children
- dilute with water before adding to tank
- safety data sheets are available
Available in 1 litre, 5.5 litre and 20 litre containers.
What is it exactly?
GT Silicon is a concentrated mixture of silicic acid and potassium hydroxide. This is often referred to as potassium silicate. Its purpose is to add silicon to hydroponic nutrient solutions.
What does it do then?
The effect of silicon comes from the fact that plants deposit silicon in their cell walls and this has the effect of strengthening the cell wall which acts as a barrier between the inside of the plant cell and the environment. The stronger this barrier the better a plant can resist attacks from insects and fungi and also the increased cell wall rigidity gives better tolerance to heat and water stress.
What’s it all about?
Silicon belongs to a class of plant nutrients termed “beneficial nutrients”. These nutrients are not totally essential to the plant but the plant will grow better if it is present. It has even been claimed that the absence of silicon from nutrient solutions constitutes a form of stress to the plant.
OK, how do I use GT Silicon?
Silicon cannot be added directly to concentrated nutrient solutions because it will precipitate from the solution and be unavailable to the plant so it has to be supplied as a separate additive. If GT Silicon is diluted in the nutrient tank at the rate of 1ml per litre of nutrient solution, it will give a concentration of 20ppm silicon, the usual Dutch recommendation.
How often should I dose the tank?
For run to waste systems, add the GT Silicon when making the nutrient solution. For recirculating systems add the GT Silicon to the tank on a weekly basis.
Any precautions?
Yes. GT Silicon is very alkaline. Always check the pH of the nutrient solution after the silicon has been added and correct if necessary. Don’t get it on your skin or clothes. Good practice indicates care should be taken. Keep away from children.
What should I expect if I use GT Silicon?
Silicon provides real benefits to plants, the main one being increased resistance to pathogens.
Quantity
Warranty & Returns
60 Day returns
Professor Monstera's Rare Plant World, specialises in a range of hydroponic, supplies and equipment to enhance your rare plant gardening. Based in Central Coast, our range of products is available online for delivery across Australia. Find out about our warranty and 60 day returns below.
60 Day Change of Mind Returns
- We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where you have decided you no longer want the product and it is in new, unopened condition. This is valid for up to 60 days after your purchase.
- If you don’t have your receipt or bank statement showing the purchase, date and amount, we will attempt to find the transaction. If we can’t validate the sale, no refund will be provided.
- Goods must be returned to us at your cost.
- If products are shipped back, the original packaging must be intact without marks otherwise a 20% restocking fee will be applied.
Exceptions
To protect customers from receiving second hand goods, we do not accept refunds or returns for some products. The following products are sold on a strict no refund or return policy, unless they fall under a warranty claim:
- Nutrients, additives, growing media -These products must be stored in a controlled environment and once they have left our warehouse we can no longer guarantee that they have been stored properly.
- Lamps / Lights / CFL's
- Custom made items - eg. NFT channels and aluminium frames cut to specification.
- Special order items - for products not regularly stocked.
- Items cut to size - any items specifically cut to size at your request.
- Commercial quantities
Warranty Claims
At Professor Monstera's Rare Plant World we choose our product range carefully to ensure the products we sell are of high quality. If we notice a product line has been returned multiple times, we will discontinue the product this is why your feedback and product reviews are much appreciated to maintain the high quality of the products we offer.
Many of our products come with a manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the Information tab on each product for the warranty details. In addition, our products come with guarantees under Australian Consumer Law.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are faulty and within their warranty period.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are wrongly described, different from a sample shown to you, this claim must be lodged no longer than 14 days of receiving your order.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are missing a component, damaged or lost in transit, this claim must be lodged no longer than 7 days of receiving your order.
Returns
60 Day returns
Professor Monstera's Rare Plant World, specialises in a range of hydroponic, supplies and equipment to enhance your rare plant gardening. Based in Central Coast, our range of products is available online for delivery across Australia. Find out about our warranty and 60 day returns below.
60 Day Change of Mind Returns
- We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where you have decided you no longer want the product and it is in new, unopened condition. This is valid for up to 60 days after your purchase.
- If you don’t have your receipt or bank statement showing the purchase, date and amount, we will attempt to find the transaction. If we can’t validate the sale, no refund will be provided.
- Goods must be returned to us at your cost.
- If products are shipped back, the original packaging must be intact without marks otherwise a 20% restocking fee will be applied.
Exceptions
To protect customers from receiving second hand goods, we do not accept refunds or returns for some products. The following products are sold on a strict no refund or return policy, unless they fall under a warranty claim:
- Nutrients, additives, growing media -These products must be stored in a controlled environment and once they have left our warehouse we can no longer guarantee that they have been stored properly.
- Lamps / Lights / CFL's
- Custom made items - eg. NFT channels and aluminium frames cut to specification.
- Special order items - for products not regularly stocked.
- Items cut to size - any items specifically cut to size at your request.
- Commercial quantities
Warranty Claims
At Professor Monstera's Rare Plant World we choose our product range carefully to ensure the products we sell are of high quality. If we notice a product line has been returned multiple times, we will discontinue the product this is why your feedback and product reviews are much appreciated to maintain the high quality of the products we offer.
Many of our products come with a manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the Information tab on each product for the warranty details. In addition, our products come with guarantees under Australian Consumer Law.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are faulty and within their warranty period.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are wrongly described, different from a sample shown to you, this claim must be lodged no longer than 14 days of receiving your order.
We will provide a refund, exchange or store credit where goods are missing a component, damaged or lost in transit, this claim must be lodged no longer than 7 days of receiving your order.
Shipping Policy
Bulky/heavy items and large orders may incur additional shipping costs; we will contact you if this applies to your order.
Shipping Policy
Professor Monstera offers flat-rate shipping Australia-wide for standard-sized items:
- NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA: $14.95
- WA: $19.95
- TAS: $24.95
- NT: $24.95
Additional charges may apply for bulky/oversized items and deliveries to remote locations.
Orders under $1000 may default to "Leave in a safe place" with some couriers unless you specify otherwise in the checkout notes.
