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Promix bag left outside in shed over winter - okay to use?
- Thread starter clp
- Start date
If its never been opened and no holes in the bag there should be no issues. if its opened i wouldnt use it.
Polygon
Member
If the bag was covered or sealed, I'd say you're fine. There isn't much in there for RA's to eat off of as nothing is growing in the medium and it generally arrives pretty free of pests compared to roots or FF reputation. Also it lacks water for FG to be attracted.
If you're really concerned, mix in some neem or karanja meal into your soil mix @ 1/2c - 1/3c per cubic ft of soil and top dress with some EWC, kelp and karanja/neem. It'll make it pretty unbearable to bugs.
If you're really concerned, mix in some neem or karanja meal into your soil mix @ 1/2c - 1/3c per cubic ft of soil and top dress with some EWC, kelp and karanja/neem. It'll make it pretty unbearable to bugs.
Stinkymutt
Active member
Its fine...I used to put my bags of promix out for outdoor grow in the winter with snowmobile , always just before a storm to hide tracks. I would simply stack 10 bags in ea location and cover with spruce and fur bows . The only problem I ever had was if they soaked through plastic cover and then you had a huge very heavy brick of soil to try to carry
peace
mutt
peace
mutt
DickAnubis
Member
I've left Promix outside for a season or two, just stoner forgetfulness.
Even if it was open don't toss it.
I microwave soil to sterize it. Works like a charm.
If you have a 1000w or bigger then you can do 8lbs for four minutes. That should get the mass up to 180f which will do in any nasty microbes and larger pests.
It the mix dried out completely mist it with some water but don't soak it.
Put it in a ziplock bag slightly open. After it's been zapped seal the bag and let it cool off.
The mix is ready to use. You'll have to add back the Myco and any amendments you may have put in before you forgot about it.
But that's easy. Where I live it's getting harder to buy Promix so I try to use every cubic inch.
Oh I should mention I'm an indoor grower so I'm using containers.
Good luck
DA
Even if it was open don't toss it.
I microwave soil to sterize it. Works like a charm.
If you have a 1000w or bigger then you can do 8lbs for four minutes. That should get the mass up to 180f which will do in any nasty microbes and larger pests.
It the mix dried out completely mist it with some water but don't soak it.
Put it in a ziplock bag slightly open. After it's been zapped seal the bag and let it cool off.
The mix is ready to use. You'll have to add back the Myco and any amendments you may have put in before you forgot about it.
But that's easy. Where I live it's getting harder to buy Promix so I try to use every cubic inch.
Oh I should mention I'm an indoor grower so I'm using containers.
Good luck
DA
DickAnubis
Member
You're not being presumptious at all, Polygon.
Well, depending on where the bag was, if it was open and if it went through a freeze thaw cycle (which would result in latent moisture trapped in the bag) it could attract a variety of pesky pests. Beetle larvae, fungus gnats, cut worms are a few. They generally show up after a plant is started but I have found them in un-used soil that was not properly maintained.
Many bacteria are good but so are there bad ones. Soil that has been left exposed, even if a small hole has been opened, can become infested with the tiniest of terrors.
Zapping them in the microwave, like chemo, kills the good and the bad, and I dare say the ugly with equal zeal.
You can re-install the good so its always a safe bet.
If you container grow indoors in soil, like myself, the slightest invasion could throw your whole grow into chaos.
There are also a number of insects that freeze in winter and can spring back to life. Beetle are good at this and will be randy and ready to get the next generation eating its way through your veg cycle.
How often does this happen? Again, depends on the conditions. I live in a sub-tropical zone and bugs, fungus, mold and microbes tend to be in full swing around now until first freeze, which may or may not happen in late Fall.
Other places may be drier or cooler so not as much trouble.
For ideal conditions in the grow room and even outdoors its best to play it safe and start off as sterile and controlled as possible.
Grow on Friends
DA
Well, depending on where the bag was, if it was open and if it went through a freeze thaw cycle (which would result in latent moisture trapped in the bag) it could attract a variety of pesky pests. Beetle larvae, fungus gnats, cut worms are a few. They generally show up after a plant is started but I have found them in un-used soil that was not properly maintained.
Many bacteria are good but so are there bad ones. Soil that has been left exposed, even if a small hole has been opened, can become infested with the tiniest of terrors.
Zapping them in the microwave, like chemo, kills the good and the bad, and I dare say the ugly with equal zeal.
You can re-install the good so its always a safe bet.
If you container grow indoors in soil, like myself, the slightest invasion could throw your whole grow into chaos.
There are also a number of insects that freeze in winter and can spring back to life. Beetle are good at this and will be randy and ready to get the next generation eating its way through your veg cycle.
How often does this happen? Again, depends on the conditions. I live in a sub-tropical zone and bugs, fungus, mold and microbes tend to be in full swing around now until first freeze, which may or may not happen in late Fall.
Other places may be drier or cooler so not as much trouble.
For ideal conditions in the grow room and even outdoors its best to play it safe and start off as sterile and controlled as possible.
Grow on Friends
DA
DickAnubis
Member
CLP, I first started growing back when I joined ICmag. As a newbie I studied the boards and gleened all applicable methods.
My first grow, as I suspect most virgin flights are, was full of surprises and poor habits.
My soil was subpar and I hadn't considered its condition deeply enough. My results were not disappointing but it was obvious I could do better.
The second time around I sterilized all the packaged grow medium I purchased, except the Promix.
I ran two crops. The promix crop had a tendency to attract fungus gnats. I eventually got rid of them by watering my crop with dunk in filtered water and adding a layer of washed sterile white sand to the top which discouraged the remaining gnats from digging in. Both crops were better than my first but the anxiety of dealing with pests in tight cabinet space was unpleasant.
At this time I decided to start with sterile soil/medium that I added the proper balance of bacteria, fungi and other amendments such as worm castings, et al.
The next three grows were very sucessful giving me healthy strong plants that yielded quite well, on average .7 grams per watt. below the magic 1 gram per watt but I don't think I could achieve that regardless of my soil.
I grow under cfl and MH in veg and then HPS and cfl in flower.
So going into my sixth grow I will once again use a soil/medium that I control and tailor to meet my perceived needs.
And to answer your question clp, yes placing tight controls improved my soil/medium and gave the plants a healthy base. Of course all the other factors, light, air, water, nutrients, timing must also be considered.
I still experiment with soils and am using an American mix from Iowa which I adjust. I like it and the lil' uns seem to as well.
Growing outside is not an option for me although I would like to try it. But even in Nature I will exert my prescence and alter the environment.
As for playing God, well sure! I love the idea of controlling the environment of my grows and I make no apologies.
The joy of growing is to see how perfect I , me DickAnubis, can bring my crop to fruition.
It is a journey with no final destination.
Growing is akin to baking, which is a science with little if any room for improvisation without consequences.
Thoughts on this may differ, such as Willstown's differ from my own. That's fine with me.
In the end it all goes up in smoke.
DA
My first grow, as I suspect most virgin flights are, was full of surprises and poor habits.
My soil was subpar and I hadn't considered its condition deeply enough. My results were not disappointing but it was obvious I could do better.
The second time around I sterilized all the packaged grow medium I purchased, except the Promix.
I ran two crops. The promix crop had a tendency to attract fungus gnats. I eventually got rid of them by watering my crop with dunk in filtered water and adding a layer of washed sterile white sand to the top which discouraged the remaining gnats from digging in. Both crops were better than my first but the anxiety of dealing with pests in tight cabinet space was unpleasant.
At this time I decided to start with sterile soil/medium that I added the proper balance of bacteria, fungi and other amendments such as worm castings, et al.
The next three grows were very sucessful giving me healthy strong plants that yielded quite well, on average .7 grams per watt. below the magic 1 gram per watt but I don't think I could achieve that regardless of my soil.
I grow under cfl and MH in veg and then HPS and cfl in flower.
So going into my sixth grow I will once again use a soil/medium that I control and tailor to meet my perceived needs.
And to answer your question clp, yes placing tight controls improved my soil/medium and gave the plants a healthy base. Of course all the other factors, light, air, water, nutrients, timing must also be considered.
I still experiment with soils and am using an American mix from Iowa which I adjust. I like it and the lil' uns seem to as well.
Growing outside is not an option for me although I would like to try it. But even in Nature I will exert my prescence and alter the environment.
As for playing God, well sure! I love the idea of controlling the environment of my grows and I make no apologies.
The joy of growing is to see how perfect I , me DickAnubis, can bring my crop to fruition.
It is a journey with no final destination.
Growing is akin to baking, which is a science with little if any room for improvisation without consequences.
Thoughts on this may differ, such as Willstown's differ from my own. That's fine with me.
In the end it all goes up in smoke.
DA
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Use it on the lawn. Or for outdoor plants. Not worth the risk or time to recycle. It's $25 around here. Enough mix for 12 ct. 5 gallon containers. That's like $2 for at least an ounce that costs $300 if you have to buy it.
For $2,500 in herb, bite the bullet and buy $25 more pro mix. You can't get your time back.
For $2,500 in herb, bite the bullet and buy $25 more pro mix. You can't get your time back.
That's exactly what I was thinking. For 25-30 bucks, is it worth the risk? My answer is no, all day, everyday.
I've used old pro mix I'd dumped outside 2 years prior.. Wasn't my best grow but it wasn't sub par either. Mayb I was lucky..no pest problems on that grow.
DickAnubis
Member
Wow, the last time I bought a bag of Promix here it was $40. Now I can't even get the bags and have to buy bales which are about $80.
As mentioned, a drop in the bucket compared to what one reaps, but still $30 could be spent elsewhere and recycling isn't the worst idea.
All depends on individual choice.
Peace in
DA
As mentioned, a drop in the bucket compared to what one reaps, but still $30 could be spent elsewhere and recycling isn't the worst idea.
All depends on individual choice.
Peace in
DA
DickAnubis
Member
Wow, the last time I bought a bag of Promix here it was $40. Now I can't even get the bags and have to buy bales which are about $80.
As mentioned, a drop in the bucket compared to what one reaps, but still $30 could be spent elsewhere and recycling isn't the worst idea.
All depends on individual choice.
Peace in
DA
As mentioned, a drop in the bucket compared to what one reaps, but still $30 could be spent elsewhere and recycling isn't the worst idea.
All depends on individual choice.
Peace in
DA
It's cheap enough so you might as well.
I don't want to jinx myself, but I've used opened bags of promix that were left in the garage for over a year without any issues beside the mix needing some re-hydration. Somehow I've been lucky enough to have never had pest problems. (Knock on wood)
DickAnubis
Member
clp, good luck on the grow brother.
keep us posted.
keep us posted.
Polygon
Member
I was going to say that if one microwaved their soil (I would never) they could always re-inoculate with beneficial microbes via a balanced aerated compost tea.
I've been messing around with leaving a wet grain submerged in native soil under old-growth alder trees and then using that in a 1c/1c ratio per 5 gallons with vermicompost for the microbe holders, works wonders for inoculating a 'dead' soil with a new blast of life and the microbial density of a native top-soil that has been mulched with decaying leaves for decades.
But buying a new bale is worth it. On another note, premier peat is the same as what is in the pro-mix bales with the difference being that pro-mix is around 30-40% perlite and has a short-acting liming agent. You can save a ton of money buying these separately and with the money left over, have more for basic amendments that can last years.
If you source a 4 cu.ft bag of perlite or pumice, a few bales of premier, some quality compost or EWC (coast of Maine works well) mix in some some gypsum, kelp meal, crab meal, neem/karanja meal and glacial rock dusts, you've got one of the best soil mixes I've ever worked with assuming you're watering in enzymes and re-inoculating with microbes via compost teas every few weeks.
Good luck man!
I've been messing around with leaving a wet grain submerged in native soil under old-growth alder trees and then using that in a 1c/1c ratio per 5 gallons with vermicompost for the microbe holders, works wonders for inoculating a 'dead' soil with a new blast of life and the microbial density of a native top-soil that has been mulched with decaying leaves for decades.
But buying a new bale is worth it. On another note, premier peat is the same as what is in the pro-mix bales with the difference being that pro-mix is around 30-40% perlite and has a short-acting liming agent. You can save a ton of money buying these separately and with the money left over, have more for basic amendments that can last years.
If you source a 4 cu.ft bag of perlite or pumice, a few bales of premier, some quality compost or EWC (coast of Maine works well) mix in some some gypsum, kelp meal, crab meal, neem/karanja meal and glacial rock dusts, you've got one of the best soil mixes I've ever worked with assuming you're watering in enzymes and re-inoculating with microbes via compost teas every few weeks.
Good luck man!
