BUDLINK THE MISSING LINK IN HYDROPONICS

BudLink Increases Weight and Bulk - Helps Nutrient Uptake - Strengthens Plants
Improves Disease Resistance - Improves Cell Integrity.

Available in 1lt, 2lt, 5lt and 20lts.

Previously, little was known about the effects of silicon in hydroponics due to minimal research. Hydroponic Generations investigated the benefits of adding soluble silica to nutrient solutions with outstanding results. After more than two years of trials combined with international findings, the ultimate product has finally arrived, BudLink.

BudLink gives your plants the soluble silica which is normally present in normal soil culture which, up until now, has been missing from hydroponic solutions. BudLink is the missing link in hydroponics. BudLink is not a hormone but a plant builder. It improves plant strength and ability to fight against bacteria and insects. When available in a constant supply, the active ingredients are imbedded into the plant cell walls and improve cell integrity.

BudLink assists the even uptake of nutrients and helps prevent toxic build-up of nutrients in tissue. It also reduces water loss through transpiration. It tends to produce plants with thicker and greener foliage. When used as a foliar spray it is easily absorbed by the leaves and forms a physical barrier against airborne bacteria and harsh light levels.

Give your plants the the soluble silicon which is normally present in soil culture that, up until now, has been missing from hydroponic solutions. Budlink is the missing link! It's not a hormone but a plant builder. Improves plant strength resistance to bacteria & insects. Increases weight & bulk. Improves cell integrity. Assists in even uptake of nutrients and helps prevent toxic build-up of nutrients in tissue. Reduces water loss through transpiration. Budlink tends to producs plants with thicker greener foliage. When used as a foliar spray Budlink forms a physical barrier against airborne bacteria and harsh light levels. A noticeable result will be apparent on harvest.

BUDLINK is a highly soluble silicon based nutrient supplement, developed by a university research chemist who recommended the use of BUDLINK2, Budlink 2L Silicon - Additiveas a foliar spray, or by directly adding it to the feed (nutrient) solution for outstanding results and increased yields. Commercial growers all over the country are embracing silicon additives as a way of the future in terms of greater product yield and resistance to insect attack.
BUDLINK - How and Why? - questions answered by the Developer
Why can't silicon be included in the components of two-part nutrients to the level that it is in say BUDLINK?
For silica to remain in solution at high concentration, it requires high alkaline conditions (ie pH greater than 7). If a silica solution concentrate were added to the A or B parts of a two part nutrient solution, a precipitation reaction with nutrient elements would occur. Nutrient deficiency problems are likely to result from this. This is why BUDLINK provides the grower with a separate, easy to use silicon supplement also by keeping silicon separate, it allows the grower to apply silicon at any rate desired. This is an advantage especially when crop specific rates are required. Another advantage is that BUDLINK can be applied as a separate foliar application to help fight pests. BUDLINK should really be considered as part C of all existing two part nutrients.

In what way does BUDLINK assist in the efficient uptake of nutrients?
By adding increasing quantities of silica to the nutrient solution, there is a corresponding increase in uptake and deposition of silica in the plant tissue. It has been found that there is also a competitive uptake between silica and other elements such as Manganese and Iron, at the solution/root interface. This competition is beneficial since it prevents the build up of toxic levels of Manganese in plant tissue through uptake. It has also been reported that the silica may actually increase the tolerance to high Manganese concentrations or to an imbalance in Phosphorus and Zinc supply. Silica can be regarded as a facilitator of a more uniform or efficient uptake of nutrients.

How does it improve cell development?
Silica is readily deposited into the cell walls of plants during cell development and division. This produces a "silica-cellulose framework" which in turn strengthens cell walls. A little like adding mortar to brickwork. It has been demonstrated by way of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis that once deposited into cell walls the silica cannot be remobilised by the plant. It is recommended that a continuous supply of BUDLINK be added to the nutrient solution thus allowing its incorporation into new growth from transplanting onward.

How does it stimulate plant immune system and resistance to pest attack?
Plants grown hydroponically have been found to be more prone to insect and bacterial attack than their soil grown counterparts. Research has shown that this is partly due to the lack of silicon in hydroponic nutrient formulations, normally present in soil (ca. 10ppm). Since the silica is deposited into the cell structure it provides a physical barrier against fungal attack. The use of BUDLINK has demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial attack such as pythium and powdery mildew when applied to the nutrient solution or as a foliar spray. Silica accumulates around points of infection with a similar increase in plant produced anti-infection compounds thus improving protection. The improved cell integrity brought on by the deposition of silica into the cell structure also provides a barrier to insect attack. In trials on commercial crops it was found that insect numbers did not increase due to their inability to penetrate and feed from the plants. Once applications ceased all new growth was attacked. It should be noted that the Organic Growers groups approve the use of silica for disease and pest control.

How does it reduce moisture loss?
BUDLINK's active silica compound accumulates largely as hydrated silica (silica bound by water) most abundantly in walls of epidermal cells in root, stem and leaf cells. This binding relationship leads to improved growth resulting form a higher mechanical stability and strength in leaves and stems. This in turn also leads to an improved light interception and higher photosynthetic capacity. This gives rise to a more efficient utilisation of water and hence reduced moisture loss.

How do you account for the increase in weight and bulk?
As the concentration of silica in nutrient solutions is increased, there is a corresponding increase in the accumulation of silica in plant tissue. This improve photosynthetic capacity, cell development, water utilisation, nutrient uptake and disease resistance. These factors give rise to a healthier, more highly productive plant, which results in an increased production, weight and bulk per plant as demonstrated by research.

How do you apply it?

As a solution additive, BUDLINK must be diluted in fresh water before adding to the feed solution. Dilution rate is 5ml per 1 litre and the manufacturers recommending that if, for example, you need 10 litres feed solution, 50ml of BUDLINK should be diluted into 450mls of fresh water. This is then added to 9.5 litres of fresh nutrient solution, giving a total volume of 10 litres.

As a foliar spray, BUDLINK should be dissolved at a rate of 1ml per 2 litres of water. (According to the manufacturer, when used in this manner, the silicon acts as a physical barrier against airborne disease.)

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