Good base soil?

Igofast

Member
Mixing my own soil mix for a mother. Got my perlite, mykos, bat guano(9-3-1) and a bag of cheap pitting soil from Lowes with no additives... I don't like the soil I bought so I'd like to get something else but don't know what I should use as a base for my mix. This is my first time mixing up my own soil if you haven't noticed lol any input welcome!
 

Igofast

Member
that's what I usually use. not really a base soil.... it comes with everything already and is quite "hot" ive never had any problems with it I just thought id experiment with it and see what I can create..
 

st0wandgrow

Well-Known Member
that's what I usually use. not really a base soil.... it comes with everything already and is quite "hot" ive never had any problems with it I just thought id experiment with it and see what I can create..
If all you're adding is perlite, mykos, and bat poop then you would be best off buying a potting soil that is pretty rich in amendments (Ocean Forest) anyway. The 3 ingredients you're adding will not take you through flower without deficiencies.
 

Igofast

Member
If all you're adding is perlite, mykos, and bat poop then you would be best off buying a potting soil that is pretty rich in amendments (Ocean Forest) anyway. The 3 ingredients you're adding will not take you through flower without deficiencies.
This soil is for a mother, won't be using this mix for my clones. But I was going to buy a little more ingredients just not too sure what at the moment. But I may end up just buying FFOF or happy frog and just go from there. Once I get all my ingredients and knowledge I'll make my own batch. Thanks for the input though
 

jcmjrt

Well-Known Member
A good base soil is

1/3 sphagnum peat moss
1/3 perlite
1/3 quality compost - this is THE most important ingredient in your soil. If you aren't making your own, maybe check out craigslist for someone selling a quality local compost - like worm castings!!!! or organic free range chicken shit or organic steer manure. This is the heart of your soil. Look for it, pay for it, whatever. For the future, make your own worm castings; it's easy and makes a huge difference.

Amendments:
use the mykos you have
use the guano you have
bone meal
kelp meal
oyster shell flour (or dolomite lime) - helps with ph and calcium
glacial rock dust (granite fines -basically dust - from your local quarry could do or azomite is OK)
crab shell meal (if you have the bucks or a local source) - adds calcium and chitin (pest prevention)

You'll need to add a cheap and easy to make banana peel tea for potassium when you go into flower. If you are going to reuse your soil, get greensand; don't waste your money unless you are going to keep using the soil because greensand breaks down VERY slowly.

There are many other amendments that you could use but those will get you through a grow. You may need to reamend part way through with some top dressing - especially some of those quality worm castings (if you got them) and kelp meal...but let the plant be the guide...

When you have more money and time - pick out one slow and one fast source for each NPK and at least three sources for minerals.
 
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