New to soil....need some help

[RamCTD1027]

hey everyone-

i posted this in the organic soil forum but i figured i could get some feedback here as well.

I spend a lot of time in the hydro section but this is my first time in the soil section. I have an 1800w flower room using ebb and flow buckets. I used to get cuts from a friend but i now have room for my own mothers so id like to grow out some bonsai mums in soil; however, i dont really know anything about soil.

Im looking for some help on what type of soil/mixes to use as well as what type of nutrients and how often to feed nutes to the plants. I currently use GH flora series in hydro. From what ive read so far, FFOF or pro mix would be the way to go but i dont have any clue about nutes and how often to feed.

What would everyone recommend? Thanks for the help.

Ram

 

[ripOG]

Soil is real easy. You pretty much summed it up already. You don't have to worry about balancing numbers and topping off reservoirs, just mix the nutes, balance the pH, and feed sparingly.

Make sure to start with a good soil like FFOF or Promix and cut it with perlite for drainage and aeration. You can also mix in some peat moss or FF Light Warrior if you like. You won't need to feed for a few weeks but you can add light nutes or supplements like Big Bloom if you like. Any liquid or soluble fertilizer can be used for feedings, although I don't think the GH nutes are intended for soil. Mix the nutes first and then adjust the pH. Your soil will act as a buffer somewhat.

You can let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. They seem to like this. Feed every-other watering, about once a week. Soil is by far the easiest medium in my opinion. You just can't beat hundreds of millions of years of evolution!

 

[ripOG]

p.s. In a room that size you could set up a bucket feeding system with drips or you could do a flood and drain style in a large tub, feeding by submersion. You would fill the tub/pool holding the pots and then drain it by pumping it back into the reservoir.

Feeding by submersion has merits because it flushes the toxic gases and waste products up out of the soil when you feed. Assuming you have well draining soil and thirsty plants, it works real well. Check out Dr.BudGreengenes' thread in the Micro forum for more info.

 

[RamCTD1027]

Thanks for the help so far ripOG. What does everyone thing about going with something like Foxfarm's Ocean Forest with 30-40% chunky perlite and feeding a light nute of Foxfarm Big Bloom every other watering? These plants will be bonsai mums and will only need to produce about 30 cuttings every 2 months or so. I guess i am looking for simplicity here.

 

[Guest]

The Sticky Note on Bonsai Moms by JJ Scorpio is a good one. It should have most, if not all of what you need to know. Take a look at it.

pedro

 

[RamCTD1027]

pedro-

Which thread are you referring to? JJ wrote about clones. Is the info in that thread or the thread on bonsai mums? I read through the bonsai mums thread but there wasn't enough info on soil and ferts. Thanks for the help.