Tutorial Organics for Beginners

[przcvctm]

A quick germination question. In the past when using pre-packaged germination mixes like Black Gold Seedling Mix, I was hitting near 100%. Now that I'm making my own (LC's #1) I'm only getting about 50% to come up. The ones that don't make it crack, put out a small tap root, then just die. When I open up the shell and take a 20X look inside, there it always a brownish rotting inside. Thoughts?

 

[BurnOne]

The mix is too wet. It should only be damp to the touch. Keep the temps around 80 degrees F. I use LC's Mix for everything. Germ, veg, clone, mothers and flowering. I keep a 55 gallon barrel full.
Burn1

 

[przcvctm]

Thanks again for the information, B1.

 

[Peat]

I've been using LC's mix #2 (w/ Pro-mix) for a while now.

Great stuff!

I'm considering switching to LC#1.

Does LC#1 require a "resting period"?

Or, can I use LC#1 just like I do LC#2, as soon as mixed?

 

[Peat]

I've been using LC's mix #2 (w/ Pro-mix) for a while now.

Great stuff!

I'm considering switching to LC#1.

Does LC#1 require a "resting period"?

Or, can I use LC#1 just like I do LC#2, as soon as mixed?

Edit: I'm just talking about the soilless mix. Not enriched.

 

[b52]

basics for online help references try rodale press or mother earth news

for supplies on line try www.groworganic.com organic farm supply place
around for 30+ years have every thing from 1lb worm castings to full tanker trucks of fish emulsion paper catalog is about 150-200 pages great reference charts in it on organic ferts w/ certifications and pest control they have predator good bugs and bees for sale too....

hope this helps someone find what they want every thing you really needf is probably on the property already including a great
high N fert your body makes for free diluted pee aged is a great soluble fert [look it up that urea on the ingredients list of all those ferts is peee.....] benn using it for soil for a while

WOW - THATS A GREAT LINK...... I'm more into organics thanmost -- then anyone i know in the MJ grow biz.... so .. that site blew my freakin mind--- seeing as how I got into Organics initially to cut cost n laugh my ass off - roll eyes at all the gadgets people spend buku $ on just to grow a few dolla worth of dope--
I gotta admit -- I could go broke in a hurry buying all the shitz on there that I could use---- ANyhow.. great link up --
muchas gracias brotha..

 

[retawgnob]

Personally, I would leave the wood chunks out. They aren't ever going to break down during your grow period. However, if you recycle your soil you may want to leave them. I just think they take up space and don't add much in the short term. If I see a lot of chunks in the compost I use, I screen the compost through a 1/2" mesh. That usually gets the worst of it out.

Toodles

Thanks for the advice. I took it. Sifted out the "mulch," broke up clumps and added the Dolomite(2.5'x1.5'x1' = 3 3/4cups). I keep it moist with plain water with molasses. How much longer should i let it rest; its been about 2 months?

I noticed Burn1 said he keeps a 55 gallon bucket full of LC mix on hand, does it ever go bad?

Thanks again. Appreciate the advice... always!

Peace.

 

[BurnOne]

It never goes bad. I keep the barrel covered.
Burn1

 

[Peat]

IMO ,no it doesn't need resting if not enriched with stuff like bonemeal that needs a while to break down.

I just like mine to sit awhile so everything can kind of blend together...even if it doesn't need it I feel better!

Toodles

 

[retawgnob]

Did you think it was worth the time and effort to sift the "junk" out of the compost, etc.

I definatly think it was worth it considering that i pulled a fair amount out of the mix. I know you had stated that you sifted yours, but i had a little too much organic compost in the first place. Thanks again for the advice.

And ya... I knew it didn't need to sit long, but it definatly wasn't ready to go when i bought it.

Next mix will be LC's mix #1, all the way... Burn1 and others, but particularly Burn1, have reassured me on multiple occasions that you can't go wrong with the two soilless mixes.

Thnaks again all for your time and paitence.

Peace.

 

[Spangli]

High to all!

Has anyone ever used Plagron's Vinasse? It is beet molasses.
The label says 30 40 gr to 100L soil. Is that correct?
If I am correct it lowers the ph also.

Keep smilin
Spangli

 

[przcvctm]

Next mix will be LC's mix #1, all the way... Burn1 and others, but particularly Burn1, have reassured me on multiple occasions that you can't go wrong with the two soilless mixes.

Well said about the mixes. They are great. They are subject, like anything else, to user error.

I use LC#1 for germination, and it works great. But, if you soak it too much and don't keep it warm, your seeds can rot as I just recently found out.

I transplant up into LC#2 using FFOF. I'm wondering about my choice of using FF's chunky perlite, though. It doesn't seem to distribute evenly through the mix they're so damn big. Does anyone have experience using the chunky perlite in these mixes over the regular size?

 

[b52]

Does anyone have experience using the chunky perlite in these mixes over the regular size?

YEP.

MIx it up better.....the chunky stuff is good shit...... I use a mix of large and small ......

Been doing bout 3 grows a year since 2001-- n grew off n on before then --so I've tried dam near everything there is to try---- WElll .. maybe better way to put it is --I've fcked up bout every way there is to fck up --a few times ----
With that said... I dunno bout the KNock ON wood chips?? I've never had a problem having wood chunks in my soil--- So what if it doesnt break down --- Its a better haven for microbes and fungi than Perlite or rock--IN fact theres a number of species that live in rotting wood ---- I think maintaining as Diverese and healthy a microbial population as possible is Extremely important--- ..... The higher the biodiversity the better - more enzymes more breaking down of everything organic-- more available for the plants--- SCHWALLAA

 

[BurnOne]

Chunky perlite isn't necessary.

 

[Mr Celsius]

Chunky perlite isn't necessary.

I get 4 cubic foot bags of the smaller stuff for $12.50... seems to be good stuff to me.

 

[przcvctm]

Chunky perlite isn't necessary.

I think you're right, it's not necessary. I used the smaller perlite when making up LC#1 and the mix is more homogeneous and drains more uniformly, it seems. I'm thinking about using a litter box scooper and removing the chunky from LC#2 and replace it with the regular sized perlite.

 

[BurnOne]

Those guys at Fox Farm are always looking for a new way to rip you off.
Burn1

 

[B.C.]

LOL!

LOL!

Now FF is ripping people off because they sell chunky perlite? LOL! You guys kill me, ya never miss a chance ta bad mouth FF huh? I always wonder about ones ability to grow at all if they can't do it in FF soil. After all, I've seen you Toodles tell people it's that "soil" that's what yer problem is, it aint no good. When the guy jus had a simple mag def fer petesakes! Another time you said it was the soil, and the guy was -way- underfeeding and with the -wrong- nutes even. But the same ol stock answer for fixing it was "it's that soil" here's how I make mine, it's the best, see how green my -one- plant is. Gimme a fuckin break! lol Ya sound like a broken record. Now because I've said somethin about this, I'll be one of those that "worship" FF. pff, I think that's jus a childish thing ta say. I've grown alot of plants in that soil over the last 10 years and never had problems with any of it. Most of those years I was growing 30+ plants at a time, and that's just in flower. So you can toot yer own horn and sound like a big shot all you want by puttin down FF, but I know better! I've used LC's mix, I've also used Bongaloids, Moonshine mans, Shabangs, Mr souls hell I've tried them all at one time or another, and they work fine. But, I can get the same results with FF soil tho, and yes, right outa the bag with no lime! lol I jus add perlite ( sometimes chunky if that's what I have on hand ) and go!........ Btw for you that are finding wood chunks in yer compost. You need ta get it out, the microornganizims that break down wood will rob yer soil of N ta do it. I'm surprized the "organic gurus" didn't tell ya this, unless of course, they didn't know about that either? lol Take care yall... BC

 

[BurnOne]

B.C.-
Dude, smoke one and relax.

FFOF has wood chips in it. That's the FOREST part. Fact is it's mostly peat with a handful of worm castings and a splash of dolomite. That's why the guy you mentioned had a Mg deficiency. The cheapest I've ever seen that stuff for was $15 for 1.5 cu. ft. Barely enough for three good plants.

Big Bloom is $12 a quart. 2 ounces per gallon for a single feeding. That's 10 ounces for a 5 gallon bucket full of water. About one watering for a medium size garden. That's three waterings for $12. What it is actually is about a quarters worth of worm castings.

FF Chunky Perlite is $43 for a 4 cu. ft. bag. I get a 4 cu. ft. bag of horticulture perlite for $12 at my local garden supply.

I'm trying to get people to grow their own so cannabis trafficking will stop. The best way that I can think of to make that happen is to make growing your own easy and cheap.

Now, on a personal note...
I won't stand for flaming in this thread. I want this thread to attract people. Not repel them. Be nice... all of you.
If you have something POSITIVE to offer, by all means contribute. If you disagree, then post your results. But slamming another grower isn't the way to reach out to BEGINNERS in organics.

Due respect.

Burn1

 

[Mr Celsius]

Now FF is ripping people off because they sell chunky perlite? LOL! You guys kill me, ya never miss a chance ta bad mouth FF huh? I always wonder about ones ability to grow at all if they can't do it in FF soil. After all, I've seen you Toodles tell people it's that "soil" that's what yer problem is, it aint no good. When the guy jus had a simple mag def fer petesakes! Another time you said it was the soil, and the guy was -way- underfeeding and with the -wrong- nutes even. But the same ol stock answer for fixing it was "it's that soil" here's how I make mine, it's the best, see how green my -one- plant is. Gimme a fuckin break! lol Ya sound like a broken record. Now because I've said somethin about this, I'll be one of those that "worship" FF. pff, I think that's jus a childish thing ta say. I've grown alot of plants in that soil over the last 10 years and never had problems with any of it. Most of those years I was growing 30+ plants at a time, and that's just in flower. So you can toot yer own horn and sound like a big shot all you want by puttin down FF, but I know better! I've used LC's mix, I've also used Bongaloids, Moonshine mans, Shabangs, Mr souls hell I've tried them all at one time or another, and they work fine. But, I can get the same results with FF soil tho, and yes, right outa the bag with no lime! lol I jus add perlite ( sometimes chunky if that's what I have on hand ) and go!........ Btw for you that are finding wood chunks in yer compost. You need ta get it out, the microornganizims that break down wood will rob yer soil of N ta do it. I'm surprized the "organic gurus" didn't tell ya this, unless of course, they didn't know about that either? lol Take care yall... BC

Its quite possible that you may not like the brand of my car and I may not like the brand of yours. Fact of the matter is, we wont agree but both get from point A, to point B.

Peace