Pro-Mix Questions

[SweetIndica2]

Hi everyone, i've been out of the loop for a little while but i'm working on a new room and will be starting a new grow soon. Anyways, i've decided to go with Pro-Mix as my medium, but i have a few questions since i have not used it before:

Should i go with the HP or BX? It seems like most people prefer to use the BX and add Chunky Perlite which is what i am probably going to do but figured i would ask.

If i go with the BX, how much chunky perlite should i add?

I know it's PH stabalized, but will i need to add dolomite lime at some point and if so how much should i add and when?

Also, the bales are supposed to be 3.8CU Ft compressed, since they are compressed does that mean it will actually give me more than 3.8CU Ft once i unbag it?


Thanks

 

[ToughGirl]

I use BX, and I love it. Personally I add 1 TBLsp dolomite lime per gallon of soil. I also add extra perlite, but I just eyeball it until it looks good and 'snowy', for lack of a better word. Maybe a few cups per 5 gallon, sorry I can't be more precise.

 

[Budley Doright]

I use promix.... dolomitic lime.... pure blend pro grow and pure blend bloom....


thats it.....


the compressed bale is about 7 cu ft loose.....


As far as the amount.... not very precise....


My guess is that I use about 18 oz per bale....could be a tad more....


The package says for plants in ph range 5.0 to 7.0...


my assumption that means the stuff is pretty close to 5?????


I dont use additional perlite....

 

[SweetIndica2]

Thanks for the help guys/gals. When should i use the lime and when will i need to add more lime to the soil? I'm assuming around flowering time.

 

[SweetIndica2]

Ok, i just read that Dolomite Lime lasts 30-60 days according to another thread on here. So adding more lime every 45 days or so would probably be ok right?

Also, since Pro-Mix has Lime already in it should i wait a month or so before i put any lime in or do you guys add some right of the bat?

 

[Budley Doright]

I have a hard time imagining why lime would last 30 to 60 days.....


Dolomitic lime reacts with acids to neutralize the acid.....


Dolomitic lime also acts as a buffer....

that is.... it will simply sit in soil until it has some acid to work on...


The reason promix has both dolomitic and calcitic lime is to bring the ph up to the range most plants like....


You have to add the lime at transplant time....

\
since you cant really add it after the fact....

 

[B. Friendly]

I use the promix HP line, it has more aeration i believe

 

[SweetIndica2]

Burnt Rope- that is just what i read in the thread called Garden Lime Vs. Dolomitic Lime? But thanks for the info, i'll add it when i transplant.

B. Friendly - Yea, i was looking at the HP as well. I just noticed that a few people said the PH was lower than the BX and it was a little too low for certain strains, but i don't see why that would be a problem as long as you add some lime to the mix. On the website it doesn't say what the exact mix is for the HP, but from the description it looks like it's the same as the BX but with more perlite added but i could be wrong.

I'm sure either one will work fine.

 

[Hank Hemp]

Here's what I do

Here's what I do

50% promix bx because that's what's here. I noticed nothing different in my grows with hp
25% EWC
25% perlite
2 tbs dolomite lime per gallon, works for me.
ferts- PBP pro gro and bloom, LK, cal-mag and last and not least good old blackstrap molasses.

I've never had to add more lime during a grow.

 

[SweetIndica2]

Thanks for the info, yea i'm going to go with the BX and add perlite. I won't be using earthworm castings, but yea i figured 20-30% Perlite would be a good amount. I mean i can always mess around with it when i'm mixing it too.

Some people have suggested 1 tbs per Gallon but 2 tbs won't hurt them right?

I'll be using MaxiGro, MaxiBloom, Floralicious Plus and some Canna PK 13/14 and KoolBloom (Dry Version) for my flower boosters. I have some Epsom Salt for mg, but i'm probably going to pick up some Cal-Mag instead. I figure that is pretty much everything i'll need?

 

[zeppelindood]

I love Pro-Mix... I go with the BX.

When I mix a batch to pot it's 45% Pro-Mix, 33% soil and 22% perlite. After the plant is in the mixture I add 2tbs blood meal, 2 tbs bone meal and 2 tbs bat guano to 1 cup of Pro-Mix and spread it on top of the 5 gallon container. 1 cup of Chicken poop goes on with another cup of Pro-Mix a few weeks before it goes in to flower.

 

[Bazarocka]

I use Pro mix,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"have been for awhile", HP mixed w/chunk 70/30.... Ive never had ANY problems with my PH in my organic grow. The Aeros another story. I wouldn't add any lime, but that's my opinion, yes...

 

[zeppelindood]

I concur with Bazarocka... I don't add lime and in your case probably wouldn't.

 

[SweetIndica2]

Thanks alot. Yea, i have been iffy on the lime since the Pro-Mix already has Calcitic Lime in it. The MaxiGro and MaxiBloom i will be using are PH stablalized as well i believe. It can't hurt to buy some incase though since it's like $6 at home depot for a 40lb bag i think.

I noticed alot of you mix other things in with the Pro-Mix, i'm probably going to keep it simple and just use the Pro-Mix and Perlite unless it will make a big difference for my plants. I'm just tight on cash for this, so i'd like to keep it simple as possible.

I was going to grab a PH pen since the one i used to have broke (cheapo one) but i shouldn't need it right? From what i have been reading the only worthwhile meters are in the $150+ range anyways, and i'd rather save money for other supplies if i can.

How do you guys feed when using promix? Do you feed every watering? Roughly how often do you need to water when using the BX and Perlite mixture because i know it's a pretty aerated mix. Most people say to use the MaxiGro and MaxiBloom at 1tsp per gallon every watering, but i figured i'd see what you guys prefer for pro-mix.

These are questions that have probably been asked a million times so sorry for that lol.

 

[zeppelindood]

I like to water with Alaska Fish Emulsion (5-1-1) once every other week and a 15-30-15 on the off weeks. Basically they get hit with ferts once a week.

 

[Young Pumpkin]

Still remember my first bale.....hehehe. That sucker will amaze you. I think it will expand to 11 cubic feet or so (The store help should know) so be prepared. Depending on your grow size you might want to get some friends to split it with or some large garbage bags for storage. Just be prepared for a possible mess. Once it starts its gonna amaze you. And no, you aint gonna be able to "put it back".

I haven't seen it for years 'til recently thanx to a local shop (I'm so happy) but for my other stuff I did add perlite ~20% and some vermiculite. Never have I added anything to promix and haven't with this new bag. Your mileage may vary and tap water may come into play. The transplants 2 weeks ago and the other soilless get Botanicare grow or bloom every other water (Tap, it gets "my" ph to the right spot by itself) and every other with rain water only. 45ml per gallon. (oooops, 10 ml CalMag per gallon.)

My vote is keep it simple, try a few first before gettin into the amendments. See what the plant tells you. PH your water. Set the bale on a big tarp. Get a paper filter mask, one that just covers nose and mouth, be prepared for some dust. Be ready, open bale real slowly. Just my opinion. Now have some fun and go play in the dirt......lol......you'll luv it........

 

[SweetIndica2]

Yea, i figured since it was compressed that it's going to expand like crazy. I never expected it to be so much though, i was going to buy 3 bales but i'm thinking 2 should be plenty now. I looked up the weight and they weight about 70-75 pounds per bale, that is alot of soil lol! 3 bales of that and a 4 cubic foot bag of chunky perlite would give me atleast 180-200 gallons of potting mix according to my calculations. If i end up buying too much and end up storing a bale away will it be ok, it won't mold or anything right?

Thanks for all the info, i'm always open to learning new information so i really appreciate it. HTG Supply has a shop about an hour from me so i'm going to buy it there. They sell the HP and BX for only $34.95 per bale which is cheaper than most places i have found. Another place nearby has 4 cubic foot bags of foxfarm chunky perlite for $36 also which isn't too bad.

And i agree on keeping it simple, i'm mainly just using the MaxiGro, MaxiBloom and Floralicious Plus and KoolBloom Powder for my flower booster. I'm going to grab some Cal-Mag to be safe as well although my tap water has a good amount of cal/mag already in it i believe. That should be fine right?

I'll have to have my brother help me carry the bales since it's so damn heavy lol but oh well.

 

[SweetIndica2]

By the way, i'm going to try the "Big and Chunky" perlite from Foxfarm since it seems like it will stay "puffed up" for awhile without crushing like normal perlite. Do most of you use "Chunky" perlite or just normal perlite?

I'm going to skip the vermiculite, EWC, bone meal, blood meal, etc. and just go with perlite and feed with the ferts i have just to keep it simple. If i had the extra money i would make a more complicated soil mix, but i don't.

The main reason i want to add the perlite is because my temps can get pretty low in my house, especially the new room i will be using, the soil mixes i have used in the past were to dense and i need a soil mix that is aerated so i'm thinking 25-30% of the chunky perlite should do the trick, especially since Pro-Mix seems to be a well aerated medium anyways.

I have a few questions that don't pertain to my soil mix at all, but i figured i'd ask them in this thread instead of making a new one:

I'm going to be doing a sog under a 1000W MH/HPS. In the past i just fimmed or topped but the Blockhead, Sensi Star and Mirre all do really well in SOG so i'm going that route. I'm using 3 gallon pots that are 10 inches wide and i'm trying to decide how many plants i should fit under the 1000W? I'm planning on them being about 3 feet or so come harvest, and i was thinking 16 in a 4 pot x 4 pot square underneath but now i'm thinking i could possibly fit 25? 25 in a 5 pot X 5 pot square would be a 4.166 x 4.166 ft. area. A 1000W should be able to adequately cover that area right? Is SOG the way to go? So many decisions lol...

 

[Budley Doright]

Yea, i figured since it was compressed that it's going to expand like crazy. I never expected it to be so much though, i was going to buy 3 bales but i'm thinking 2 should be plenty now. I looked up the weight and they weight about 70-75 pounds per bale, that is alot of soil lol! 3 bales of that and a 4 cubic foot bag of chunky perlite would give me atleast 180-200 gallons of potting mix according to my calculations. If i end up buying too much and end up storing a bale away will it be ok, it won't mold or anything right?

Thanks for all the info, i'm always open to learning new information so i really appreciate it. HTG Supply has a shop about an hour from me so i'm going to buy it there. They sell the HP and BX for only $34.95 per bale which is cheaper than most places i have found. Another place nearby has 4 cubic foot bags of foxfarm chunky perlite for $36 also which isn't too bad.

And i agree on keeping it simple, i'm mainly just using the MaxiGro, MaxiBloom and Floralicious Plus and KoolBloom Powder for my flower booster. I'm going to grab some Cal-Mag to be safe as well although my tap water has a good amount of cal/mag already in it i believe. That should be fine right?

I'll have to have my brother help me carry the bales since it's so damn heavy lol but oh well.

First off I want to point out that materials which raise ph are both bolomitic lime and bone meal....

Next.... if you use dolomitic lime you should not need cal mag... as you say especially with your tap.....

I used to use some calmag.... my last few grows without indicate none is needed... hydro....makes sense...... Ive yet to see anyone use dolomitic lime in their hydro system....


I strongly suggest you reconsider the dolomitic lime.... since its very cheap....


One thing that most here dont do... least ways I dont think....


The last few runs Ive been running my plants in promix 2 times before the old medium goes outside to the garden....


All I do is break down the rootball removing any large clumps of roots.... add some DOLOMITIC LIME and thats it.....

The makers of promix recommend their medium for many plants.... the bag says plants which do well in a ph from 5.0 to 7.0


The only way for the mix to get closer to 7.0 is by adding lime....

Im strongly of the opinion that the plant in this environment will do better over 6 than under 6 ph.....

I think a fairly high ph of 6.5 would be very good for cannabis...

and 6.5 is a long way from where it is out of the promix bx bag....

 

[SweetIndica2]

Oh yea, i'm definitely grabbing a bag regardless. I mean it's like $6, so it's not an issue. I might as well add some to my mix i figure, since it'll naturally make my PH closer to 7.0 like you said and it's not like it's going to hurt anything.

Thanks