In a previous blog post<\/a>, agronomist Rich Affeldt discussed the\u00a0role that\u00a0silicon plays in plant health and vitality. Adding an all-natural source of silicon, like that found in\u00a0volcanic basalt, is an excellent way to\u00a0grow plants that are healthy, strong and able to resist pests and disease.<\/p>\n

In this\u00a0short follow-up video, Rich\u00a0explains how certain plants\u2014like zinnias and other plants with \u201crough,\u201d or “scratchy,” leaves\u2014accumulate higher levels of\u00a0silicon than others. These higher levels of silicon provide\u00a0an advantage when it comes to warding off plant-eating insects and battling diseases such as dewy mildew.<\/p>\n