Armadillo Armour: Monosilicic Acid for Superior Plant Strength and Resistance

Armadillo Armour delivers monosilicic acid—the only plant-available form of silicon—to strengthen structures, enhance pest and disease resistance, and improve stress tolerance. Unlike potassium silicate products that require pH-dependent conversion, Armadillo Armour provides immediately available silicon at just 0.5-1 mL per gallon.

The Science Behind Monosilicic Acid

What Is Monosilicic Acid?

Monosilicic acid (Si(OH)₄) is a simple molecule consisting of one silicon atom bonded to four hydroxyl groups. It's:

• The ONLY form of silicon plants can absorb
• Small enough to pass through root cell membranes
• Immediately available without conversion or processing
• Stable in Armadillo Armour's proprietary formula

Why Potassium Silicate Falls Short

Most silicon products use potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃), which:

• Exists as silicate ions, not monosilicic acid
• Must convert to monosilicic acid before plant uptake
• Conversion is pH-dependent and incomplete
• At typical nutrient solution pH (5.5-6.5), conversion is minimal
• Raises pH dramatically, requiring extra adjustment
• Can precipitate with calcium and other nutrients

Result: Potassium silicate products deliver far less actual silicon to plants than their labels suggest.

How Silicon Strengthens Plants

Once absorbed, silicon deposits in cell walls as amorphous silica (SiO₂·nH₂O), creating:

• Physical barriers – Silica-reinforced cell walls are harder for pests to penetrate and pathogens to infect
• Structural support – Stems become stronger and more rigid, supporting heavy flower loads
• Reduced transpiration – Silicon deposition helps regulate water loss through leaves

Silicon and Plant Defense

Beyond physical strengthening, silicon triggers plant defense responses:

• Induced resistance – Silicon primes plants to respond faster to pest and pathogen attack
• Phytoalexin production – Silicon enhances synthesis of antimicrobial compounds
• Signaling enhancement – Silicon improves plant hormone signaling related to defense

Benefits of Armadillo Armour

Structural Strengthening

• Stronger stems that don't require staking
• Improved support for heavy flower loads
• Thicker cell walls throughout the plant
• Reduced lodging (falling over) risk

Pest Resistance

• Physical barrier against piercing-sucking insects (aphids, spider mites, thrips)
• Harder leaf surface reduces fungus gnat larvae damage to roots
• Silica deposits make leaves less palatable to chewing insects
• Enhanced resistance to root-feeding pests

Disease Resistance

• Reduced powdery mildew susceptibility (well-documented in research)
• Enhanced resistance to root rot pathogens
• Stronger cell walls limit pathogen penetration
• Faster defensive response when infection occurs

Stress Tolerance

• Heat stress: Silicon improves heat tolerance and reduces wilting
• Drought stress: Reduced transpiration helps maintain hydration
• Salt stress: Silicon helps plants tolerate higher EC levels
• Heavy metal tolerance: Silicon reduces heavy metal uptake and toxicity

Application Rates

Standard Rates

When to Use

• Throughout the grow cycle – From seedling/clone through harvest
• Especially during stress – Increase consistency during environmental challenges
• Preventatively – Best results come from consistent application before problems occur

Mixing Instructions (Critical)

Why Mixing Order Matters

Silicon reacts with other nutrients, particularly calcium. Adding silicon after calcium can form insoluble calcium silicate precipitates that:

• Remove silicon from solution
• Remove calcium from solution
• Create white residue in containers
• Clog irrigation equipment

Correct Mixing Order

1. Water first – Fill container with plain water
2. Armadillo Armour FIRST – Add silicon and stir thoroughly
3. CalMag second – After silicon is dispersed
4. Micro or base nutrients – Continue with normal mixing order
5. Other additives – Bud Booster, Sticky Bandit, etc.
6. pH adjustment last – After all nutrients are mixed

Mixing Order with Each Cronk Line

Classic 3-Part

1. Water → Armadillo Armour → CalMag → Micro → Grow → Bloom → additives → pH

Bonnie & Clyde

1. Water → Armadillo Armour → CalMag → Bonnie or Clyde → additives → pH

PuurOrganics

1. Water → Armadillo Armour → PuurNitro → PuurPhos → PuurK → PuurCalMag → PuurBalance → additives → pH → Monkey Juice (last)

Plants and Growing Systems

All Plants Benefit

Silicon benefits virtually all plants, but particularly:

• Cannabis: Stronger stems, enhanced pest/disease resistance, heavier yields
• Tomatoes/peppers: Reduced blossom end rot, stronger plants
• Cucurbits: Enhanced powdery mildew resistance
• Grains: Major commercial use for lodging prevention
• Rice: Silicon accumulator—major benefit crop

Growing System Compatibility

• Soil: Excellent. May have some natural silicon, but supplementation helps
• Coco Coir: Excellent. Coco contains minimal silicon
• Hydroponics: Excellent. Water-soluble monosilicic acid works perfectly
• Aeroponics: Excellent. No precipitation issues when mixed correctly

Compatibility

Compatible Products

• All Cronk nutrient lines (Classic 3-Part, Bonnie & Clyde, PuurOrganics)
• Cronk CalMag and PuurCalMag
• Bud Booster, Sticky Bandit, Monkey Juice
• Most third-party nutrient systems

Important Notes

• Always add first – Before any other nutrients
• Don't combine with concentrated nutrients – Always dilute in water first
• Don't pre-mix with CalMag – Add sequentially, not together

Signs Your Plants Need Silicon

• Weak, floppy stems that need support
• Recurrent pest problems despite treatment
• Frequent powdery mildew or other fungal issues
• Poor stress tolerance (wilting easily, slow recovery)
• Thin cell walls visible under magnification

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes monosilicic acid better than potassium silicate?

Monosilicic acid (Si(OH)₄) is the only form of silicon plants can absorb. Potassium silicate products must first convert to monosilicic acid in solution—a pH-dependent process that's inefficient and incomplete. Armadillo Armour provides pre-formed monosilicic acid that plants absorb immediately without conversion, delivering more silicon at lower application rates.

Why must Armadillo Armour be added first when mixing nutrients?

Silicon can react with other nutrients, particularly calcium and magnesium, forming insoluble precipitates. Adding Armadillo Armour to plain water first allows the monosilicic acid to stabilize before other nutrients are introduced. This ensures maximum silicon availability and prevents precipitation that would reduce effectiveness.

Is silicon an essential nutrient for plants?

Silicon is classified as a "beneficial" rather than "essential" element because plants can complete their lifecycle without it. However, silicon provides significant advantages: stronger cell walls, improved pest and disease resistance, better stress tolerance, and enhanced structural integrity. Most high-performance growers consider silicon supplementation standard practice.

Can I use Armadillo Armour with all Cronk nutrient lines?

Yes. Armadillo Armour is compatible with Classic 3-Part, Bonnie & Clyde, and PuurOrganics systems. Always add it first in your mixing order, before any other nutrients including CalMag, to prevent interactions.

Storage and Handling

• Store in cool, dark location
• Keep bottle tightly sealed (silicon can polymerize with exposure to air)
• Shelf life: 1-2 years when properly stored
• Shake gently before use

Need Help?

Our grow support team is here to help you get the best results with Armadillo Armour. Contact us at [email protected] or visit our Grower's Resource Center for feed charts and growing guides.