f1tzg3r4ald
Active Member
I have seen a lot of posts latley that ask about soil mixes and what to use in the soil. I decided to try and make a post that can be used by this community if it hasn't been done already. From what I have been reading soil mixes come a dime a dozen and each person usually find one that works best for them. With that said I am going to compile a list of soil addatives and there purpose followed by several mixes that I found posted on google that might give you some ideas on making your own mix. Feel free to post your favorite mix for other to use.Or your advice. Keep in mind this is a work in progress and will be updated as I find more information. I take credit for none of this info I just pooled it together. If you like it let me know and I'll keep working on pooling soil info.
Notes:
It is always better to fertilize your plants more often with a more diluted solution, than to give them concentrated doses at longer intervals.
Plant foods are measured in an N-P-K format
Macronutrients: The primary nutrients.
N is Nitrogen: Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green
pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. Helps plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops. Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer
application and from the air (legumes get their N from the atmosphere, water or rainfall contributes very little nitrogen)
P is Phosphorus: Like nitrogen, phosphorus (P) is an essential part of the process of photosynthesis. Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches, etc. Helps with the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy; proper plant maturation; withstanding stress. Effects rapid growth. Encourages blooming and root growth.
Phosphorus often comes from fertilizer, bone meal, and superphosphate.
K is Potassium: Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except nitrogen and, in some cases, calcium. Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases. Potassium is supplied to plants by soil minerals, organic materials, and fertilizer.
Ca is Calcium: an essential part of plant cell wall structure, provides for normal transport and retention of other elements as well as strength in the plant. It is also thought to counteract the effect of alkali salts and organic acids within a plant. Sources of calcium are dolomitic lime, gypsum, and superphosphate.
Mg is Magnesium: Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis. It also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth. Soil minerals, organic material, fertilizers, and dolomitic limestone are sources of magnesium for plants.
S is Sulfer: Essential plant food for production of protein. Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins. Helps in chlorophyll formation. Improves root growth and seed production. Helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold. Sulfur may be supplied to the soil from rainwater. It is also added in some fertilizers as an impurity, especially the lower grade fertilizers. The use of gypsum also increases soil sulfur
levels.
Micronutrients: Micronutrients are those elements essential for plant growth which are needed in only very
small (micro) quantities .
B is Boron: Helps in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients. Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates.
Essential for seed and fruit development. Sources of boron are organic matter and borax
Cu is Copper: Important for reproductive growth. Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins.
Fe is Iron: Essential for formation of chlorophyll. Sources of iron are the soil, iron sulfate, iron chelate.
Cl is Chloride: Aids plant metabolism. Chloride is found in the soil.
Mn is Manganese: Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism.
Soil is a source of manganese.
Mo is Molybdenum: Helps in the use of nitrogen. Soil is a source of molybdenum.
Zn is Zink: Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates. Regulates consumption of sugars. Part of the enzyme
systems which regulate plant growth. Sources of zinc are soil, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, zinc chelate.
Bone Meal: Phosphorus source, some don't like this because animal product.
Blood Meal: Nitrogen Source, some don't like this because animal product.
Kelp Meal: Kelp meal is another mild form of seaweed fertilizer with a very low N-P-K ratio. Added to the soil mix, it will not burn your plants and provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, which in turn support large populations of beneficial micro-organisms. The important role of these micro-organisms should not be overlooked. In addition, it is an excellent source of fully chelated micro-nutrients and plant hormones (like all seaweed products).
Epsom Salts: Magnesium Source
Dolomite Lime: Calcium Source & PH Buffer
Trace Elements: Same as Micronutrients.
Worm Castings: breeders put the worms in organic compost mixtures and while the worms are reproducing they eat the
organic matter and expel some of the best marijuana food around. After the worms have eaten all the organic matter in the compost, they are removed and the remains are then sold as worm castings. These castings are so rich that you can grow marijuana in straight worm castings. Expensive though.
Enzymes: Enzymes provide a link in the availability and use of fertilizer and soil additives. Enzymes control certain processes, much like plant hormones do.
Bat Guano: Contains beneficial micro-organisms. Imediately available for plants as food. Breaks down organic matter
in the soil and produce humic acids and living enzymes. Comes in different nutrient content.
Soil Mixes:
1.
1 Bale sunshine mix #2 or promix (3.8 cu ft)
8 cups Bone Meal - phosphorus source
4 cups Blood Meal - nitrogen source
1 1/3 cups Epsom salts - magnesium source
3-4 cups dolmite lime -calcium source & pH buffering
1 tsp fritted trace elements
4 cups kelp meal.
9kg (25 lbs) bag pure worm castings
- Mix thoroughly, moisten, and let sit 1-2 weeks before use.
2.
Organic potting soil - any brand is fine but i can recommend Happy Frog as i have worked with this. If you can find a higher grade soil with coco in it this will be prefered. Your going to need anywhere from 8-10 bags of soil.
Worm Castings. a staple of any soil mix. very easy to produce and a great sustainable solution for food scraps in
any household.Worms are your friends. Get as much worm casting as you can. Add anywhere from 5-10lbs or so or more!
3/4 cup Azomite for trace elements - not essential to the grow, but will set you apart.
Epson Salt - 1cup should surfice. Add more if deficiency occurrs in flower. i highly doubt it will but if it does, mix a diluted foliar feed.
Bone Meal - 3lbs blood meal
Dolomite Lime - 1 cup
Humic acids are highly recommended. Apply as recommended. usually a couple tablespoons.
Bat guano - 5lbs or so.
a couple 5 gal scoops of perlite.
3.
# 5 parts soil.
Normal commercial potting soil should be fine.
# 5 parts perlite.
This enhances aeration of the soil-mix, helps prevent over-watering by increasing drainage and reduces soil compaction. Perlite can be replaced with coarse vermiculite or crushed expanded clay balls (mica, leca, geolite).
Optional:
# 2 parts composted organic matter. This can be normal household compost. If you can find composted worm castings,
seaweed or composted manures (chicken, horse) they can also be used for extra kick. Non-composted manures make the
soil-mix too 'hot' for the plants and should be avoided.
4.
Notes:
It is always better to fertilize your plants more often with a more diluted solution, than to give them concentrated doses at longer intervals.
Plant foods are measured in an N-P-K format
Macronutrients: The primary nutrients.
N is Nitrogen: Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green
pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. Helps plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage crops. Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer
application and from the air (legumes get their N from the atmosphere, water or rainfall contributes very little nitrogen)
P is Phosphorus: Like nitrogen, phosphorus (P) is an essential part of the process of photosynthesis. Involved in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches, etc. Helps with the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy; proper plant maturation; withstanding stress. Effects rapid growth. Encourages blooming and root growth.
Phosphorus often comes from fertilizer, bone meal, and superphosphate.
K is Potassium: Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except nitrogen and, in some cases, calcium. Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases. Potassium is supplied to plants by soil minerals, organic materials, and fertilizer.
Ca is Calcium: an essential part of plant cell wall structure, provides for normal transport and retention of other elements as well as strength in the plant. It is also thought to counteract the effect of alkali salts and organic acids within a plant. Sources of calcium are dolomitic lime, gypsum, and superphosphate.
Mg is Magnesium: Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in all green plants and essential for photosynthesis. It also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth. Soil minerals, organic material, fertilizers, and dolomitic limestone are sources of magnesium for plants.
S is Sulfer: Essential plant food for production of protein. Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins. Helps in chlorophyll formation. Improves root growth and seed production. Helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold. Sulfur may be supplied to the soil from rainwater. It is also added in some fertilizers as an impurity, especially the lower grade fertilizers. The use of gypsum also increases soil sulfur
levels.
Micronutrients: Micronutrients are those elements essential for plant growth which are needed in only very
small (micro) quantities .
B is Boron: Helps in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients. Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates.
Essential for seed and fruit development. Sources of boron are organic matter and borax
Cu is Copper: Important for reproductive growth. Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization of proteins.
Fe is Iron: Essential for formation of chlorophyll. Sources of iron are the soil, iron sulfate, iron chelate.
Cl is Chloride: Aids plant metabolism. Chloride is found in the soil.
Mn is Manganese: Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism.
Soil is a source of manganese.
Mo is Molybdenum: Helps in the use of nitrogen. Soil is a source of molybdenum.
Zn is Zink: Essential for the transformation of carbohydrates. Regulates consumption of sugars. Part of the enzyme
systems which regulate plant growth. Sources of zinc are soil, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, zinc chelate.
Bone Meal: Phosphorus source, some don't like this because animal product.
Blood Meal: Nitrogen Source, some don't like this because animal product.
Kelp Meal: Kelp meal is another mild form of seaweed fertilizer with a very low N-P-K ratio. Added to the soil mix, it will not burn your plants and provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, which in turn support large populations of beneficial micro-organisms. The important role of these micro-organisms should not be overlooked. In addition, it is an excellent source of fully chelated micro-nutrients and plant hormones (like all seaweed products).
Epsom Salts: Magnesium Source
Dolomite Lime: Calcium Source & PH Buffer
Trace Elements: Same as Micronutrients.
Worm Castings: breeders put the worms in organic compost mixtures and while the worms are reproducing they eat the
organic matter and expel some of the best marijuana food around. After the worms have eaten all the organic matter in the compost, they are removed and the remains are then sold as worm castings. These castings are so rich that you can grow marijuana in straight worm castings. Expensive though.
Enzymes: Enzymes provide a link in the availability and use of fertilizer and soil additives. Enzymes control certain processes, much like plant hormones do.
Bat Guano: Contains beneficial micro-organisms. Imediately available for plants as food. Breaks down organic matter
in the soil and produce humic acids and living enzymes. Comes in different nutrient content.
Soil Mixes:
1.
1 Bale sunshine mix #2 or promix (3.8 cu ft)
8 cups Bone Meal - phosphorus source
4 cups Blood Meal - nitrogen source
1 1/3 cups Epsom salts - magnesium source
3-4 cups dolmite lime -calcium source & pH buffering
1 tsp fritted trace elements
4 cups kelp meal.
9kg (25 lbs) bag pure worm castings
- Mix thoroughly, moisten, and let sit 1-2 weeks before use.
2.
Organic potting soil - any brand is fine but i can recommend Happy Frog as i have worked with this. If you can find a higher grade soil with coco in it this will be prefered. Your going to need anywhere from 8-10 bags of soil.
Worm Castings. a staple of any soil mix. very easy to produce and a great sustainable solution for food scraps in
any household.Worms are your friends. Get as much worm casting as you can. Add anywhere from 5-10lbs or so or more!
3/4 cup Azomite for trace elements - not essential to the grow, but will set you apart.
Epson Salt - 1cup should surfice. Add more if deficiency occurrs in flower. i highly doubt it will but if it does, mix a diluted foliar feed.
Bone Meal - 3lbs blood meal
Dolomite Lime - 1 cup
Humic acids are highly recommended. Apply as recommended. usually a couple tablespoons.
Bat guano - 5lbs or so.
a couple 5 gal scoops of perlite.
3.
# 5 parts soil.
Normal commercial potting soil should be fine.
# 5 parts perlite.
This enhances aeration of the soil-mix, helps prevent over-watering by increasing drainage and reduces soil compaction. Perlite can be replaced with coarse vermiculite or crushed expanded clay balls (mica, leca, geolite).
Optional:
# 2 parts composted organic matter. This can be normal household compost. If you can find composted worm castings,
seaweed or composted manures (chicken, horse) they can also be used for extra kick. Non-composted manures make the
soil-mix too 'hot' for the plants and should be avoided.
4.
