Sunleaves Silica Stone Outperforms Other Media in Side-by-Side Experiments

Our Worm’s Way product researchers recently conducted some side-by-side trials testing Sunleaves Silica Stone against traditional hydroponic media including expanded clay pellets as well as a silica mixture from an alternate source. Plants growing in Sunleaves Silica Stone benefited in several ways including increased overall yields and more compact growth.

Over a three-month period, sweet basil plants were grown in continuous aeration hydroponics systems. In each system, a submersible pump suctioned to the bottom of the nutrient reservoir continually splashed one-part, Ionic nutrient solution onto plant roots. In lieu of plastic net cups, plants were contained in fibrous root pots made of shredded, compressed coconut shell fiber. As for garden lighting, one 1000-watt metal halide lamp was positioned 18 inches above each basil plant, and plants received 18 hours of blue-spectrum light daily.

In the following photos, growing media represented clockwise from lower left are Sunleaves Silica Stone, expanded clay pellets, Sunleaves Silica Stone, and the alternate silica mixture.

In the first quarter of the experiment, basil plants appear to be growing at a similar rate.		During the second quarter, the basil plants growing in Sunleaves silica stone have begun to outperform the others with larger leaves, thicker stems, and more compact growth.
In the third quarter, vigorous growth in all the plants continued, but our researchers noted that the basil plants growing in Sunleaves silica stone had shorter inter-nodal spacing than the others.		The experiment’s final quarter. While the basil growing in the alternate silica mixture exhibited very healthy growth, the plants growing in Sunleaves silica stone produced even larger leaves and more lush, dense growth overall. The plant growing in expanded clay pellets looks healthy but is obviously behind schedule in comparison.

	On the left, the basil plant grown in expanded clay pellets appears healthy but much smaller and less vigorous than the basil plant on the right, grown in Sunleaves silica stone.

Worm’s Way product researchers were able to replicate these results in a similar, albeit modified experiment. In the related trial, of a total of 24 asters contained in plastic net cups, half were grown in expanded clay pellets and half grew in Sunleaves silica stone in a drip hydroponics system. All plants were fed a two-part Super Veg nutrient solution. Eight 64-watt T-8 fluorescent lamps were positioned 24 inches above the asters, and plants received 18 hours of light daily.

	The three rows of asters on the left grew in expanded clay pellets while the three rows on the right grew in Sunleaves silica stone. Over a period of several weeks/months, the asters growing in Sunleaves silica stone grew at twice the rate of those growing in expanded clay pellets. Overall, the deep green asters growing in Sunleaves silica stone also appear healthier and more vigorous.