10X Abrasives Help Grow State-Winning Produce
Calvin Wohlert has been growing produce to enter into competitions for 15 years. Since incorporating 10X superoxalloy abrasives into his soil mix, Calvin’s weights have gone up about 300lbs per pumpkin. Plus, he was able to double the previous state record for watermelon. This is what Calvin has to say about his process and experience with 10X superoxalloy media:
I have been adding 10X products to my garden soil for several years now. Why you might ask? Well after studying the material’s composition, and learning about its use as a hydroponics growing medium, its safety for the environment (reference WA fish kill study with 100% survival rate) and bio-solubility, I came to the conclusion that it is worth considering as a soil amendment for my hobby/obsession of competitive growing. The five major components in 10X are amorphous oxide forms of Silicon, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminum, and Iron. Of these 5 elements, 4 (all but aluminum) are considered to be vital plant nutrients, while aluminum is benign. To have any chance of competing with the great growers out there, one needs to understand soil science, and plant nutrition. This goes way beyond simple Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, (N-P-K ) which are considered the macro nutrient fertilizer components that dominate agriculture. For plants to thrive they also require a wide variety of minor and even micro nutrients. It is impossible to grow a really big fruit without a really healthy plant to support it.
Calcium
One of the biggest minor nutrients that is absolutely critical for fruit development is calcium. If you don’t have enough calcium your fruit will suffer. For example, lack of calcium is a major culprit of blossom end rot in tomatoes.
Magnesium
Magnesium is also a very important minor soil nutrient and is a necessary component of chlorophyll. I have my soil tested regularly and had historically struggled to maintain sufficient levels of magnesium. I would add it, then by the next year I was very low again as it got washed out or sucked up by the plants. 10X contains lots of magnesium and calcium and because it is bio-soluble the plant roots and beneficial symbiotic microbes in the soil are able to release those nutrients gradually over time. Versus dumping a chemical fertilizer on the soil only to have it wash out or dissipate quickly.
Silicon
Silicon helps soft tissued plants develop structure and rigidity, it is also purported to help the plant defend itself against pests.
Iron
Iron is a necessary ingredient that is used in the production of chlorophyll, which when combined with sunlight, is the engine that creates the energy needed for the plant to grow and thrive and it creates the sugars needed to produce BIG fruits. Correcting iron deficiencies can green up plants overnight, including your lawn.
While that is all dandy educational and technical information, did it really work? I certainly think so. Since I have been adding 10X to may garden soil, I have broken the Colorado state watermelon record twice, once in 2020 and then breaking my own record again in 2022 with a 189 lb melon. In 2022, I also smashed the previous state record for field pumpkin (think jack-o-lantern style pumpkin, not giant pumpkin). The previous state record field pumpkin was 97 lbs. My field pumpkin weighed in at 150 lb. But everyone loves the giant pumpkins. Last year, I was able to grow a 1,024 lb pumpkin. Which we had fun carving and displaying as an intubated brain surgery patient. Our daughter who is Registered Nurse got to pick the design on this one.
Note: Mineral wool products can be engineered to hold large quantities of water and air that aid root growth and nutrient uptake in hydroponics; their fibrous nature also provides a good mechanical structure to hold the plant stable. The naturally high pH of mineral wool makes them initially unsuitable to plant growth and requires “conditioning” to produce a wool with an appropriate, stable pH.[12]: 16 Conditioning methods include pre-soaking mineral wool in a nutrient solution adjusted to pH 5.5 until it stops bubbling.