Pro Mix soil is not organic

[Zendo]

So, I've been looking at my Pro Mix BX soil bale for a few weeks now, as I've got some of it awaiting seeds.

I noticed that there is a word missing on the package..Organic.

I figured that if it was even close to organic, it would say it all over the package, whether certified or not, or they would get one certification or another. It's a big money word, and used as often as possible to generate sales.

So, last night I did some digging, and by digging, I mean I searched online. All I could find was people saying it was, or that they THOUGHT it was, or that it "must be" because they use it, and have for years.

Today, I did some more digging, and by digging I mean I called the company.

I spoke to one of their soil tech's. He confirmed that Pro Mix is not organic.

He said they "use a product called Aqua Gro as their wetting agent, which is chemical based".

He then also said:
"The fertilizers/macro nutrients that we add are also not organic like Calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.." "These are also from chemical sources". When asked to confirm, he acknowledged that it would not be correct to claim that you are growing organically if you are using their product.."

IMHO we should take this off of the recommend mixes in this thread immediately, or move those to the non-organic section.

 

[BurnOne]

IMHO we should take this off of the recommend mixes in this thread immediately, or move those to the non-organic section.

No we shouldn't.
NOTHING is 100% organic. I've already beat this dead horse.
Burn1

 

[Zendo]

burn one,

I respect you 100%, you've taught me a lot in these forums. I am in no way trying to dig at you, or start a fight.

I also understand the statement that you made that nothing is 100%..but..It's not like I'm reaching for straws and saying that there are plastic and petroleum byproduct molecules in water, so we aren't organic because they are in there..

If I have a choice to choose between an organic wetting agent, like Sunshine mix offers, and a non-organic, I'm going to choose the organic every time.

If I would have known that they use non-organic fertilizers in there, I would never have purchased, as I wouldn't purchase a non organic fertilizer to feed my plants.

When a company states that they would not recommend using their product in any application that would warrant or demand a product to be organic, then I simply won't use it.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[guest2012y]

No we shouldn't.
NOTHING is 100% organic. I've already beat this dead horse.
Burn1

Burn,I read this post and instantly thought of you. I wondered if/when you were going to respond to this one. Sure as shit you're on it. I've definitely ran over this dead horse here and again in this forum. I guess a guy could go with straight peat if they want to avoid the soap and stuff huh?. I never used pro-mix,I opted for fungus gnat infested and ph un-balanced sunshine #4 myself.

 

[Zendo]

I will say that I should never have said

"IMHO we should take this off of the recommend mixes in this thread immediately, or move those to the non-organic section."

It's not my thread, and I'm not a moderator, so It's not my business or right to say that.

It may be my opinion, but I should have kept my trap shut..

Wouldn't be the first time for that..

Peace.

 

[BurnOne]

The wetting agent is soap. Ever use any? ProMix also has a very small synthetic nute charge so low its N-P-K doesn't even have to be listed on the label. It will be gone after a watering or two. ProMix is mostly peat and some perlite.
Burn1

 

[barletta]

My pee and tapwater don't say organic either, are they OK?

C'mon, bro. By volume, how much 'chemical' wetting agent do you think is in a 4cuft bale of peat? FWIW, I bet that the perlite is produced in an unnatural, chemical laden manner. How many pounds of chemicals were released into the atmosphere (or dripped on the ground) farming the peat bog, processing the peat, and shipping it all over the world?

 

[Castelvetro]

im tired of hearing about organic, none of the pre made mixes are, ffof isnt, this one isnt as well, no big deal to me.

 

[secondtry]

Fafard FOF mixes are 100% organic (depending upon your definition of organic) Certified by NOP. I am going to use FOF 30 with 5% compost and 5% EWC added (along with things like azomite) to see how well it preforms. I think it will outperform Pro-mix, Sunshine mix etc. Hell, FOF 30 was already shown to outperform Sunhsine mix in one well done study I read. I am doing a grow very soon with FOF 30, and also with my own mix. But I think the usage of FOF 30 will be good to get the word out...and it has a surfactant of yucca extract IIRC.

HTH

 

[Bud Bug]

ProMix also has a very small synthetic nute charge so low its N-P-K doesn't even have to be listed on the label. It will be gone after a watering or two. ProMix is mostly peat and some perlite.
Burn1

Well the NPK varies from batch to batch as does the dolomite lime. Only way to test it so to run some distilled water thought the dirt and check the ppm. Pro Mix HP has been known to contain up to 2000 ppm of salts. Doesn't happen always but has happened a few time.

Also there's dolomite lime in there to buffer the peat's ph up. I think the peat itself is naturally ph 4.5

 

[Tactical Farmer]

I think the peat itself is naturally ph 4.5

Did a test on "lowes brand" peatmoss few years back.

1 cup peat soaked in 1 cup RO water for 24 hrs.

PH = 5.0
EC = .6

 

[Zendo]

The wetting agent is soap. Ever use any? ProMix also has a very small synthetic nute charge so low its N-P-K doesn't even have to be listed on the label. It will be gone after a watering or two. ProMix is mostly peat and some perlite.
Burn1

Burn- I do use soap. It's organic olive oil and coconut, and aloe.
(actually that wasn't 100% on purpose, as I got it originally for allergies)

Seriously though, I know I know the charge is small, and it's just soap, but they could just as easily offer it with an organic wetting agent and an organic charge.If it's cost, they could offer it for more, and I'm sure people would buy it.(I know I would).

 

[Zendo]

My pee and tapwater don't say organic either, are they OK?

C'mon, bro. By volume, how much 'chemical' wetting agent do you think is in a 4cuft bale of peat? FWIW, I bet that the perlite is produced in an unnatural, chemical laden manner. How many pounds of chemicals were released into the atmosphere (or dripped on the ground) farming the peat bog, processing the peat, and shipping it all over the world?

o boy. Ok, I'll bite..

Your pee is your issue. If you add non organic wetting agents to it, and chemical ferts, then no, it won't be organic, in my opinion..I wouldn't use your pee in my grow.

I don't work there, I don't know how much is in a 3.8 bale, but I don't need you to break down having a world view on products that I use. I use responsible products throughout my home, including soap, laundry, dish, cleaning products..and I was doing it before it was "hip", and I'll do it afterward. I shop at my local grocery store , and my local co-op,where most products are based on the 100 mile diet. I grow my own veggies, etc..etc..

It appears that the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association has a fairly decent preservation and reclamation policy.Maybe not perfect, but...

If you have that world view, then you can clearly understand that while there may be..a shot glass?, a cup? in one 3.8 bale, you can then easily see that with tens of thousands of bales, and tens of thousands of bags that that adds up to a lot..thousands of gallons of soaps and fertilizers going into our water supply.

If I can buy something right next to it on the shelf that does not have those issues, I will.

 

[Zendo]

im tired of hearing about organic, none of the pre made mixes are, ffof isnt, this one isnt as well, no big deal to me.

Castel- You and I have already had a run in in the autoflower forums I believe. I think it was after you were ripping on a first time growers excitement and nervousness approaching the end of his first grow..

If you are so sick of hearing about "organic", then why are you cruising organic Cannabis forums online?

 

[Chief]

Applicators and other handlers should wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing
gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. Remove protective clothing and equipment
after handling. Wash the outside of gloves before removing. Wash thoroughly and
change into clean clothing.

On aqua grows label. Ever see that on your soap?

 

[guest2012y]

A lot of people say I'm wrong for using a small amount of pee in my teas,but I do it,it's organic because I'm eating organic. That's organic enough pee for me,and I mean 1/8th cup per 5 gallons of aerated tea. I eat good,my pee is good,it's mine and I accept full responsibility for my pee.
EDIT: I also drink well water in a pretty undisturbed and forested area.

 

[Zendo]

Capt- I don't do it myself, but I know people that have. I know its sterile and high N, but I just don't think I could do it.

Maybe if I grew outside..I donno

 

[guest2012y]

Capt- I don't do it myself, but I know people that have. I know its sterile and high N, but I just don't think I could do it.

Maybe if I grew outside..I donno

I feel the idea is to not use a lot. Being on an organic diet is really the only reason I do....I eat highly nutritional foods.....But yeah,that pro mix huh? What can a organic nut do but change the mix if you don't want the additives. PEACE

 

[jaykush]

use quality compost instead, its a much better base for a soil mix than peat is.

 

[Dignan]

If I can buy something right next to it on the shelf that does not have those issues, I will.

Word.

If you are so sick of hearing about "organic", then why are you cruising organic Cannabis forums online?

Word word.

Not picking on Castelv here but boy this happens a lot, doesn't it? I'm surprised non-organic growers find the time to peruse organic forums. I don't remember the last time I cruised through a hydro forum. Just saying.