Any visit to a local garden center comes with a good dose of anticipation that you will find something new, pretty or useful. Ideas are inspirational and you can find lots of them. Indoor gardening has captured our imagination because growers gain control of the atmospheric conditions of temperature and light. These controlled environments enable precise dosing of inputs through fertigation coupled with timed light exposure for specifically designed plant responses. Hydroponic systems add an alluring dimension of speed to the process with faster cultivation from seed to harvest. When selecting growing media components, one of the most compelling choices is diatomaceous earth (DE) because it has a fascinating organic heritage, a wide array of benefits and uses, and is available in powder and aggregate form.
Dig this: Fossilized remains of long-dead critters can lend new life to your cannabis plants. We’re talking about diatomaceous earth (DE), the fossilized remains of phytoplankton or diatom algae. When they were alive, these freshwater organisms extracted nourishment from the water as it passed through their porous, silica-based exteriors. As they died, they sank to the sea floor and gradually created deposits. So what’s the dirt on this versatile substance and its applications in your grow room? For one thing, DE works as a natural insecticide, but that’s only half of the story. As an aggregate, DE also goes to work in the soil, boosting its water holding capacity and infiltration.
No matter if you’re growing in containers, hydro, or outdoors in soil, diatomaceous earth is an incredibly versatile material that helps with prodigious root systems, silica uptake, and pest control.
Salvaged topsoil is amended with diatomaceous earth to increase water retention and eliminate the need for a permanent irrigation system.
