Silicon’s Contribution to Plant Health and Vitality

In a previous blog post, agronomist Rich Affeldt discussed the role that silicon plays in plant health and vitality. Adding an all-natural source of silicon, like that found in volcanic basalt, is an excellent way to grow plants that are healthy, strong and able to resist pests and disease.

In this short follow-up video, Rich explains how certain plants—like zinnias and other plants with “rough,” or “scratchy,” leaves—accumulate higher levels of silicon than others. These higher levels of silicon provide an advantage when it comes to warding off plant-eating insects and battling diseases such as dewy mildew.

For best results, add silicon to your soil with an all-natural product like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster. Made of volcanic basalt from Central Oregon, it contains no synthetic materials and is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production.