Got a soil test done

[Microbeman]

When you're having a hard time reading your plants, a soil test can help point you in the right direction.

In my case I now know I need to add dolomite lime for both calcium and magnesium to my top dressing. Where as before I was all over the place with trying to guess what was wrong because it looked like so many different things at once.

I'm also going to add some feather meal to my top dress because I'm seeing a bit of yellow in my larger fan leaves too early in flower. I'm at day 48, and they are noticeably yellow on 3 plants. (See? I'm reading the plants too.)

I'm not saying everyone needs to test and test religiously. But they can be helpful once you understand what they are telling you. That's why I started this thread. Because I didn't understand at the time what the test was telling me and I was having a hard time reading my plants. And as great as this place is, if you ask for opinions on what's wrong with your plants you'll get all sorts of answers with very little consensus.

I now know more about what I need than before. And that helps make me a better grower.

Day 48 of flower? Wow. My cultivar was finished by day 49.

 

[GOT_BUD?]

Day 48 of flower? Wow. My cultivar was finished by day 49.

These are on a new to me plants. I'm expecting 2 of them to go at least 63 days (probably longer), and they're just a bit too yellow for my liking at this stage. A week later, I wouldn't be concerned.

One of the plants I'm guessing is going to go 70+ days. And she is way too yellow for that.

So I'll add 1 cup of feather meal to be spread across my 8 pots and see how it goes. I'll also get some blood meal to add to my ACTs if I need a quick boost.

My one mother plant, the clones finish in 45ish days under my LEDs apparently. 10-15% amber after 3 grows. Not a huge yielder. But very dense. And tasty when grown well.

 

[bsgospel]

Sorry to stray- just wanted to say I like all the players in the conversation. Their posts are why I come to this forum and no other. They live and work in worlds that I really aspire to. I hope everyone keeps coming back- we need you cats, even in disagreement. Sometimes I see a couple pages of back and forth that makes me think, 'these guys ain't coming back- who has the time?' and if true would rob a lot of new/curious people of necessary discourse.

Anyway, great disposition got_buds. I like how you think and are responding. There's a lot to unpack from a lot of experience here. Keep swinging!

 

[Hookahhead]

So I'll add 1 cup of feather meal to be spread across my 8 pots and see how it goes. I'll also get some blood meal to add to my ACTs if I need a quick boost.

In my personal observations, feathers take a long time to break down, like on the order of months. Feathers and pig bristle (hair) are two of the largest organic resources produced industrially. They’re made from keratin, which is hard to “digest”.

 

[Microbeman]

In my personal observations, feathers take a long time to break down, like on the order of months. Feathers and pig bristle (hair) are two of the largest organic resources produced industrially. They’re made from keratin, which is hard to “digest”.

I was going to suggest alfalfa or comfrey but didn't want to override the formula.

 

[GOT_BUD?]

In my personal observations, feathers take a long time to break down, like on the order of months. Feathers and pig bristle (hair) are two of the largest organic resources produced industrially. They’re made from keratin, which is hard to “digest”.

I'm actually looking for a longer term breakdown. My thought process is the stuff I put in now will be available in 2-3 crops. If I continue to put feather meal in and reduce blood meal, eventually it should replace blood meal entirely.

I'll still keep alfalfa meal and high N guanos around for a quick fix if needed.

I'm wondering now if soybean or cotton seed meal might be better than feather meal in the long term.

Eventually I'd like to go completely vegan in my inputs if possible.

 

[Hookahhead]

Ahh I understand, I had read your post as you were hoping to stop/slow the yellowing you’re seeing now by using feather meal.

 

[h.h.]

Fermentation.

 

[slownickel]

Well, I guess we can all see who cannot read.

Or who doesn't care...

 

[Microbeman]

Or who doesn't care...

Good excuse to not learn.

 

[h.h.]

Buy/rent this book and read it cover to cover twice.

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Fert...BAXJB9DHA81&psc=1&refRID=TE9EVTGADBAXJB9DHA81

 

[h.h.]

“If the soil solution concentration of magnesium is significantly higher relative to calcium, a magnesium induced calcium deficiency can result. Because of this phenomenon, it is important that both the concentration and ratio of the essential nutrients are maintained in the root zone.”

WFH Third Horticulture Edition

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Fert...JNPZ5BN/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=

 

[Microbeman]

“If the soil solution concentration of magnesium is significantly higher relative to calcium, a magnesium induced calcium deficiency can result. Because of this phenomenon, it is important that both the concentration and ratio of the essential nutrients are maintained in the root zone.”

WFH Third Horticulture Edition

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Fert...JNPZ5BN/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=

And how is the soil solution controlled?

 

[h.h.]

And how is the soil solution controlled?

You’ll answer that better than me.I was looking for anything that had to do with ratios. I’m just putting it out as written.
Basically don’t dump a bunch of Epsom salt on your soil.

 

[Microbeman]

You’ll answer that better than me.I was looking for anything that had to do with ratios. I’m just putting it out as written.
Basically don’t dump a bunch of Epsom salt on your soil.

Oh. I thought you were recommending the book. I leave the influence of ions-minerals in the soil solution up to the roots and microbes and whatever nutrients become available.

 

[GOT_BUD?]

You’ll answer that better than me.I was looking for anything that had to do with ratios. I’m just putting it out as written.
Basically don’t dump a bunch of Epsom salt on your soil.

Pffft... You’re not my supervisor.

 

[h.h.]

Oh. I thought you were recommending the book. I leave the influence of ions-minerals in the soil solution up to the roots and microbes and whatever nutrients become available.

I do recommend the book. I still have a copy from 1965. More of a pamphlet at that time. It has all you basic soil information. A good overview of all your nutrients, including organic amendments.It’s not just somebody’s opinion. Accepted theories and standards.

Didn’t say I follow it. Or even remember much of it. Still it’s good to have that study, especially for those who do. Excellent reference.


I like to have some understanding even when leaving it up to the roots and microbes.

 

[slownickel]

https://books.google.com/books?id=q...v=onepage&q=logan labs trace elements&f=false

I would strongly suggest that anyone interested in the changes in Steve Solomons' belief system, ask him! [email protected]

He doesn't use Logan Labs anymore. Ask him which lab he uses and what procedures he uses and then ask why!

Lots of folks don't like to learn. Steve Solomon does!