V
vhGhost
I like this thread... TAG!!!
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so whats the deal with the beneficials and what not? how does it work? Ive been experimenting with different organic mixes but one thing i have heard lots about is beneficials and trichoderma etc, what are examples of these things and where can i find the ingredients? are pranha and tarantula examples? thanx....
S.O.T.G.
Member
For all those living in the E.U., in my opinion, the best place to get your soil mixes is at Plagron. These guys know what there doing if you ask me and the premade mixes are suitable to any growers needs.
What also needs to be taken into consideration is that the more you add to your premix of soil the less feeding you will need to use in the first weeks depending on how much is added. This also implying that you will not be able to guide the plant as much as you when using a lightmix that carries only the essentials for the growth period of the plants. Seeing as sativas, indicas,Indica/Sativa and sativa/indica plants all have different needs I think each plants needs a different mix of soil.
My preference is a mix of the light and the bat mix, but at the moment I am testing the complete mix which is a lot more expensive. So I'll have to wait for the outcomeof that one before I can give my final opinion.
Thats it for me,
S.O.T.G.
What also needs to be taken into consideration is that the more you add to your premix of soil the less feeding you will need to use in the first weeks depending on how much is added. This also implying that you will not be able to guide the plant as much as you when using a lightmix that carries only the essentials for the growth period of the plants. Seeing as sativas, indicas,Indica/Sativa and sativa/indica plants all have different needs I think each plants needs a different mix of soil.
My preference is a mix of the light and the bat mix, but at the moment I am testing the complete mix which is a lot more expensive. So I'll have to wait for the outcomeof that one before I can give my final opinion.
Thats it for me,
S.O.T.G.
akornpatch
Member
Mr. Soul, (Brothers Grimm), recommends the following mix:
1. My soil mix is (by volume) 50% worm castings, 25% Pro-Mix, and 25% perlite. Simple as that.
2. I feed with tea at EVERY watering of my plants & since they're flowered in 2-gallon containers - that's usually every day!
3. The teas I use are made by soaking a "tea bag" (got mine at Worm's Way) in a 5-gallon bucket of pH = 6.2 water. Agitate and manipulate the bag a LOT to release as much of the "goodies" as possible - the water looks like it came from a mud puddle when you've got it right. I do one thing I've never heard other growers mention doing - I measure the ppm of my tea.
Here are the contents of the tea bag, depending on growth stage:
Vegetative => 1/2 cup each of PSG & worm castings. I also add a 1/2 cup of Maxi-Crop liquid seaweed, plus two Tablespoons of Alaska fish emulsion to the water. (I shoot for a ppm = 1000)
Flowering (weeks 0-4)=> 1/2 cup each of PSG & High Phosphorus bat guano. I also add a 1/2 cup of Maxi-Crop to the water. (ppm 1250 - 1500 )
Flowering (weeks 4-7)=> 1/2 cup each High Phosphorus bat guano and worm castings. (shifting ppm from 1500 -> 1000)
During the final week of flowering, many folks choose to use plain, pH-adjusted water for "clearing" but I don't. I haven't noticed any difference between when I have & when I haven't "cleared". This seems reasonable when growing organically - why clear? Clear WHAT? They're living in the medium in which they've evolved for millions of years!
A few other hints:
SOAK the pots thoroughly when watering, then allow them to become "light" when lifted before watering again...the plants LOVE a short drying out period. The amount of time it takes for the plants to dry out is constantly getting SHORTER as they grow...be AWARE!
Water BY HAND! At least get an accurate feel for how much the average plant needs by hand-watering before setting up a drip system or whatever.
Transplant you clones into the container you plan to flower them in & veg them until their roots systems are FULLY established before flowering them - this will MINIMIZE stretching...check this out for yourself, it works!
1. My soil mix is (by volume) 50% worm castings, 25% Pro-Mix, and 25% perlite. Simple as that.
2. I feed with tea at EVERY watering of my plants & since they're flowered in 2-gallon containers - that's usually every day!
3. The teas I use are made by soaking a "tea bag" (got mine at Worm's Way) in a 5-gallon bucket of pH = 6.2 water. Agitate and manipulate the bag a LOT to release as much of the "goodies" as possible - the water looks like it came from a mud puddle when you've got it right. I do one thing I've never heard other growers mention doing - I measure the ppm of my tea.
Here are the contents of the tea bag, depending on growth stage:
Vegetative => 1/2 cup each of PSG & worm castings. I also add a 1/2 cup of Maxi-Crop liquid seaweed, plus two Tablespoons of Alaska fish emulsion to the water. (I shoot for a ppm = 1000)
Flowering (weeks 0-4)=> 1/2 cup each of PSG & High Phosphorus bat guano. I also add a 1/2 cup of Maxi-Crop to the water. (ppm 1250 - 1500 )
Flowering (weeks 4-7)=> 1/2 cup each High Phosphorus bat guano and worm castings. (shifting ppm from 1500 -> 1000)
During the final week of flowering, many folks choose to use plain, pH-adjusted water for "clearing" but I don't. I haven't noticed any difference between when I have & when I haven't "cleared". This seems reasonable when growing organically - why clear? Clear WHAT? They're living in the medium in which they've evolved for millions of years!
A few other hints:
SOAK the pots thoroughly when watering, then allow them to become "light" when lifted before watering again...the plants LOVE a short drying out period. The amount of time it takes for the plants to dry out is constantly getting SHORTER as they grow...be AWARE!
Water BY HAND! At least get an accurate feel for how much the average plant needs by hand-watering before setting up a drip system or whatever.
Transplant you clones into the container you plan to flower them in & veg them until their roots systems are FULLY established before flowering them - this will MINIMIZE stretching...check this out for yourself, it works!
Kaneh-Bosm
New member
I use and 3 cu ft bag organic potting soil or peat moss mix, 2 liters perlite, "medium" bag of worm castings, I think it is 4 lbs, and Espoma Bio-Tone 4-3-3 that is also a beneficial bacteria and fungus booster, and worm castings and the teaspoon of lime per gallon. I use Fox Farm nutes. I am simple.
FRANKENBLUNT420
me blunt is like, wicked yo!! owight
FLOWER:
-1 X bag FF ocean forest
-1 X bag FF light warrior
-1/3 of promixBX bale
-1 X 2-1/2gl pail of perilite
-3-1/2 X cups of bonemeal
-3-1/2 X cups of bloodmeal
-3 X cups of espoma garden lime
-3-1/2 X cups of earthworm castings
VEG:
-1/3 of promixBX bale
-1 X 2gl pail of perilite
-3-1/2 X cups of earthworm castings
-1 X bag FF light warrior
-2-1/2 X cups of bloodmeal
-2 X cups of espoma garden lime
WATERINGS:
(VEG) 1 X TSP MOLASSES/GALLON WATER
(FLOWER) 1 X TSP MOLASSES/GALLON WATER + BUDSWEL SUPERTEA EVERY OTHER WATERING)
-1 X bag FF ocean forest
-1 X bag FF light warrior
-1/3 of promixBX bale
-1 X 2-1/2gl pail of perilite
-3-1/2 X cups of bonemeal
-3-1/2 X cups of bloodmeal
-3 X cups of espoma garden lime
-3-1/2 X cups of earthworm castings
VEG:
-1/3 of promixBX bale
-1 X 2gl pail of perilite
-3-1/2 X cups of earthworm castings
-1 X bag FF light warrior
-2-1/2 X cups of bloodmeal
-2 X cups of espoma garden lime
WATERINGS:
(VEG) 1 X TSP MOLASSES/GALLON WATER
(FLOWER) 1 X TSP MOLASSES/GALLON WATER + BUDSWEL SUPERTEA EVERY OTHER WATERING)
NamelessCitizen
Member
My soilless mix...
My soilless mix...
This is my first run using this mix but so far so good.
3 parts Black Gold Garden Compost
1 part worm castings
30% perlite
dolomite lime
Plant Success @ transplants
POM Tomato & Vegetable 7-4-5 mixed in for veg
POM Fruit & Flower 5-8-4 mixed in for flower
I'm supplementing with alfalfa/worm castings/molasses tea through veg. Will do the same in flowering with a different tea recipe.
My soilless mix...
This is my first run using this mix but so far so good.
3 parts Black Gold Garden Compost
1 part worm castings
30% perlite
dolomite lime
Plant Success @ transplants
POM Tomato & Vegetable 7-4-5 mixed in for veg
POM Fruit & Flower 5-8-4 mixed in for flower
I'm supplementing with alfalfa/worm castings/molasses tea through veg. Will do the same in flowering with a different tea recipe.
Last edited:
Does anyone use diatomaceous earth in their mixes? I have a big bag of this and some volcanic rock dust but have no idea if it would be too mineral rich or bind other elements in some way. I only use it in my veggie garden but reckon it would be good in a potting mix for indoor use.
NamelessCitizen
Member
jolene - I've read other posts that do. Search around and you'll find them. I believe the 3BM/3LB use it. Many informative posts by them.
sunshine #1, mushroom compost,a goo d amount of perlite, blood meal. thats it. give em a good tea when you water and maybe kelp and raw sugarcane is awesome too. find it at health food stores under the name sucanat. the brownie recipe on the back of the sucanat package is awesome too.
Tactical Farmer
Member
Ive been really getting into pre-amending my mix - building soil is fun.
Base Mix
40% Compost
20% Peat
5% EWC
5% Coir
30% Perlite "Big & Chunky"
Been working on a diverse mix getting the NPK levels balanced to 3-1-2 for vegging & 1-3-2 for flower.
Veg Mix (11 – 4 - 8)
Starter 0.75-1-0.75
BioTone 0.75-1-.075
Marine Cusine 2.5-1.75-1.75
Desert Bat 2-1-0.25
Kelp Meal 2-0-4
Dried Blood 3-0-0
Greensand 0-0-0.5
Flower Mix (4.5 – 12 - 8)
Starter 0.75-1-0.75
BioTone 0.75-1-0.75
Rock Phosphate 0-4.5-0
Bone Meal 0.75-2.5-0
Fruit & Flower 1.25-2-1
Potash 0-0-3
Greensand 0-0-0.5
Super Tea Mix 1-1-2
The products are Fox Farm "Piece of Mind" / Espoma & Guano brand Bat. Had to cut the amounts to get the levels to match up.
* Any of you guys keep track of NPK levels with your dry ferts - If so how high do ya go ?
Base Mix
40% Compost
20% Peat
5% EWC
5% Coir
30% Perlite "Big & Chunky"
Been working on a diverse mix getting the NPK levels balanced to 3-1-2 for vegging & 1-3-2 for flower.
Veg Mix (11 – 4 - 8)
Starter 0.75-1-0.75
BioTone 0.75-1-.075
Marine Cusine 2.5-1.75-1.75
Desert Bat 2-1-0.25
Kelp Meal 2-0-4
Dried Blood 3-0-0
Greensand 0-0-0.5
Flower Mix (4.5 – 12 - 8)
Starter 0.75-1-0.75
BioTone 0.75-1-0.75
Rock Phosphate 0-4.5-0
Bone Meal 0.75-2.5-0
Fruit & Flower 1.25-2-1
Potash 0-0-3
Greensand 0-0-0.5
Super Tea Mix 1-1-2
The products are Fox Farm "Piece of Mind" / Espoma & Guano brand Bat. Had to cut the amounts to get the levels to match up.
* Any of you guys keep track of NPK levels with your dry ferts - If so how high do ya go ?
bakelite
Active member
Tactical Farmer said:
I try to keep track by using an Excel spreadsheet. I know that there is a discrepancy due to the fact that I measure by volume while NPK% I believe are based on weight. Still it gives me a ballpark idea as to what my final NPK levels are in my mixes.
-bakelite
Ive been using Edna's Best Organic POtting Soil...its the bomb...already has castings, guano, kelp meal, micchorrizal fungi, composted fir bark, feather meal, peat moss, mushroom compost, d.lime, oyster shell, and washed sand!!!Excellent mix, my girls love it...green till the end!!!
Tactical Farmer
Member
bakelite said:
I go by the feeding directions - POM All Purpose is 5-5-5 & it says "add 1TBSP per gal of soil" so if you want 10-10-10 just add 2TBSP per gal & if you want 2.5-2.5-2.5 add 1/2 TBSP per gal.
Some math skills - calculator & one of those computer converters come in handy but once ya break it down keep track of the results & tweak from there.
G
Guest
i know this is kind of weird but i soak perlite in molass's and add that to foxfarm ocean...its disgusting to mix around with your hands but ive had good results 80/20
My Favorite Mix
My Favorite Mix
Mine is pretty simple.............
2 bales Sunshine Growers Organic Mix 2.8 cf bales (not like the regular Sunshine mixes @ 3.8 cf) - $16.50 ea
Note: From their web site: Sunshine Grower's Organic contains coarse grade Canadian Sphagnum peat moss, coco fiber, coarse grade perlite, coarse grade vermiculite, screened pumice, Dolomitic limestone, an organic fertilizer and an organic wetting agent (Yucca Extract).
1 cf earthworm castings - $11.50
6 lbs. glacial rock dust from Gaia Green (50 lbs. for $10.50) this really kicks in the microbes found in the earthworm castings - $1.20
I add a 7-7-2 fertilizer, i.e. Bio-Fish from Down To Earth which is made from Hydrolyzed Fish, Fish Bone Meal, Feather Meal, Sulfate of Potash, Alfalfa Meal, Blood Meal, Acadian Kelp Meal and Dolomitic Lime. The 'Acadian Kelp' is a brand out of Canada. The amount that I use cost about $5.00 for this amount.
This mix cost me less than $7.00 per cf to mix and requires no additional fertilizing through the entire grow. The only nutrients added are aerated compost teas fortified with more glacial rock dust, earthworm castings, regular compost, mushroom compost and seaweed extract (cold extraction method) as well as MaxiCrop.
Water with aerated water fortified with kelp meal & small, small amounts of molasses to feed the microbes.
Inexpensive, effective and most importantly - fool proof. Perfect for medical cannabis growers here who need something easy once it is set up for them.
HTH
My Favorite Mix
Mine is pretty simple.............
2 bales Sunshine Growers Organic Mix 2.8 cf bales (not like the regular Sunshine mixes @ 3.8 cf) - $16.50 ea
Note: From their web site: Sunshine Grower's Organic contains coarse grade Canadian Sphagnum peat moss, coco fiber, coarse grade perlite, coarse grade vermiculite, screened pumice, Dolomitic limestone, an organic fertilizer and an organic wetting agent (Yucca Extract).
1 cf earthworm castings - $11.50
6 lbs. glacial rock dust from Gaia Green (50 lbs. for $10.50) this really kicks in the microbes found in the earthworm castings - $1.20
I add a 7-7-2 fertilizer, i.e. Bio-Fish from Down To Earth which is made from Hydrolyzed Fish, Fish Bone Meal, Feather Meal, Sulfate of Potash, Alfalfa Meal, Blood Meal, Acadian Kelp Meal and Dolomitic Lime. The 'Acadian Kelp' is a brand out of Canada. The amount that I use cost about $5.00 for this amount.
This mix cost me less than $7.00 per cf to mix and requires no additional fertilizing through the entire grow. The only nutrients added are aerated compost teas fortified with more glacial rock dust, earthworm castings, regular compost, mushroom compost and seaweed extract (cold extraction method) as well as MaxiCrop.
Water with aerated water fortified with kelp meal & small, small amounts of molasses to feed the microbes.
Inexpensive, effective and most importantly - fool proof. Perfect for medical cannabis growers here who need something easy once it is set up for them.
HTH
canniption
Active member
heres mine,mixed in 5 gal. batches.
base mix:
2 large coffee cans of each:
compost
humus
topsoil
composted manure
1 large coffee can ewc
1 small coffee can charcoal
1 small coffee can course sand
makes a 5 gal. bucket more or less
supplemented with:
4 tsp. granulated mycorrhiza
1/4 c.bat guano
1/3 c. alfalfa meal
1/4 c. cottonseed meal
1/3 c. kelp meal
1/4 c. soft rock phosphate
1/4 c.black rock phossphate
1/4 c. sul-po-mag
1/3 c. glacial rock dust
1/3 c. green sand
i mix this up on a tarp,you can really mix it up well pulling the tarp up in various postions and heights.
watered with nitron,bagged and aged for at least a month.i have reused this outdoors and indoors for 4 years now,with additions of compost,manure,guano,soft rock phos,kelp,alflalfa and whatever i think is needed.minor teas once in a while.heres a couple of shots of this years indoor at 6 weeks.peace
base mix:
2 large coffee cans of each:
compost
humus
topsoil
composted manure
1 large coffee can ewc
1 small coffee can charcoal
1 small coffee can course sand
makes a 5 gal. bucket more or less
supplemented with:
4 tsp. granulated mycorrhiza
1/4 c.bat guano
1/3 c. alfalfa meal
1/4 c. cottonseed meal
1/3 c. kelp meal
1/4 c. soft rock phosphate
1/4 c.black rock phossphate
1/4 c. sul-po-mag
1/3 c. glacial rock dust
1/3 c. green sand
i mix this up on a tarp,you can really mix it up well pulling the tarp up in various postions and heights.
watered with nitron,bagged and aged for at least a month.i have reused this outdoors and indoors for 4 years now,with additions of compost,manure,guano,soft rock phos,kelp,alflalfa and whatever i think is needed.minor teas once in a while.heres a couple of shots of this years indoor at 6 weeks.peace
Both the soil mix ingredients as well as the list of amendments that you use are very impressive. You should bag that soil and sell it at a local farmer's market.canniption said:
Seriously. The original guy who started up Black Gold did it that way up around Portland.
Very nice indeed.
