Mulch. Just do it.

[SativaHybrid]

-heady: yeah just install like usual and put perlite over the sensor i usually try to keep the dripper above the perlite but probably not necesarry.

-mad librettist: yeah i made it a point to look it up after you posted, thanks for the heads up.

 

[SativaHybrid]

hey mad may be off base with this but could napa #8822 be substituted for perlite in a soil mix.

 

[mad librettist]

hey mad may be off base with this but could napa #8822 be substituted for perlite in a soil mix.

That's what I'm using right now, along with some zeolite for pool filters. The seedlings are mostly happy, and some are taking off so fast it boggles my cfl conditioned brain. I like how this stuff is when I screw up and it dries out. No clumping, and since it holds so much water it helps the peat get wet again.

You need to screen out the fines with window screen or a fine mesh soil sieve. After sifting it needs to be washed like rice. The waste water is a mechanical pesticide. You'll get about 60:40 usable material:fines if you are doing it right. The dust is a health hazard. This is definitely a bit pricier in blood and treasure than perlite, but IMO very worth it. There is something called calcined "attapulgite", also known as "Fuller's Earth", which is supposed to be even better but is not available for retail.

I'm experimenting with using the fines in a big humidity tray. I put water in there, but I keep it below the surface of the DE fines, so it wicks up. I have smart pots and little 1-gallon plastic containers going in there. I think with the smart pots it may need to be kept a bit drier as the water wicks right up the sides.

 

[SativaHybrid]

thanks mad my initial thought was it would work but with how much heavier than perlite it is i decided i better ask definitley gonna be giving this a try thanks again.

 

[try comb]

thanks for all the discussion.......what perlite are we comparing to though.........i find the mother earth #4 to be quite different than norcal fine grade......for example.

 

[C21H30O2]

wut about a couple layers of news paper and some shredded bark soaked in fish hydrolysate?

 

[Metatron]

has anyone seen the rubber mulch substitute? would this work the same still?

 

[mad librettist]

thanks for all the discussion.......what perlite are we comparing to though.........i find the mother earth #4 to be quite different than norcal fine grade......for example.

Chunky perlite is better, true. But it still sucks compared with the alteratives.

 

[SCROG McDuck]

wut about a couple layers of news paper and some shredded bark soaked in fish hydrolysate?

Diatomaceous Earth is good stuff... I throw it into the eaves of
my home (in the attic) and around its' perimiter of to controll bugs...

back to the supject... mulching.. <indoors, anyway..
if it is supposed to keep the top of the container/soil moist
and has the potential of affecting Ph, then why not news papers?

I use 3.5gal buckets w coco.. I take the plastic top of the bucket,
drill a 1.5" hole in it and cut it in half with a circular saw
and just cover the bucket, with the 2 halves, around the stalk.. the cut leaves enough
opening for air circulation.. coco remains dark and damp, with no mold, alge or Ph worries...
I was also thinkin foam 1 inch insulation cut to the same size as the plastic bucket top might work..

coco/soil is mess enough for indoor growing..

 

[mad librettist]

heya scrog mcd,

remember, I am not talking about DE powder, but calcined DE chunks.

 

[beta]

.

 

[mad librettist]

I think he means chunks of rubber.

definitely a poor choice.

 

[Metatron]

I think he means chunks of rubber.

definitely a poor choice.

Mad,

The mulch alternative I have seen is a fine shredded rubber not chunky.

M-

 

[mad librettist]

Mad,

The mulch alternative I have seen is a fine shredded rubber not chunky.

M-

Still a very poor choice. I can't believe people are allowed to spread that around and not call it littering.

 

[SCROG McDuck]

Do you mean Turface?

Turface is clay or ceramic.. similar to oil dry 8822 (Napa)...
I start seeds and clones in the 8822 stuff..

 

[SCROG McDuck]

heya scrog mcd,

remember, I am not talking about DE powder, but calcined DE chunks.

wasnt aware of chunky DE... tks.

 

[mad librettist]

wasnt aware of chunky DE... tks.

yes you are! I am using 8822 just like you. That is chunky DE in my book. I sift out the fines with a little soil sieve used for bonsai. Any tips on cloning with it?

I used this in my mix for a test run and mother hunt, along with zeolite for pool filters. 1 month after putting the seed in soil, I have remarkably happy plants for the container size.

 

[SCROG McDuck]

yes you are! I am using 8822 just like you. That is chunky DE in my book. I sift out the fines with a little soil sieve used for bonsai. Any tips on cloning with it?

I used this in my mix for a test run and mother hunt, along with zeolite for pool filters. 1 month after putting the seed in soil, I have remarkably happy plants for the container size.

AhHa! 8822=DE.. didnt know that.. thought it was ceramic or clay..

Actually, I clone in a DIY bubble cloner and transplant rooted babies into 8822 in sterilite containers..
passive/wick set up w GH Nova Bloom..

 

[mad librettist]

lol funny how things can be right under your nose.

The clay muck that washes out of the stuff is awful, and about 40% of the particles are too small, but I can't find anything better. Calcined DE does everything perlite and vermiculite does, without the drawbacks of each. The only issue is the higher cost, and the time spent sifting and being around hazardous dust. Unfortunately it appears you can't sift it while it's wet, so if you want to wash it first, you will then have to dry it.



When you wash it, save some of the wash water. It is a powerful insecticide.

 

[SCROG McDuck]

lol funny how things can be right under your nose.

The clay muck that washes out of the stuff is awful, and about 40% of the particles are too small, but I can't find anything better. Calcined DE does everything perlite and vermiculite does, without the drawbacks of each. The only issue is the higher cost, and the time spent sifting and being around hazardous dust. Unfortunately it appears you can't sift it while it's wet, so if you want to wash it first, you will then have to dry it.



When you wash it, save some of the wash water. It is a powerful insecticide.

Right under ones nose...