Deset Grow W/ pics advice needed

Apocalypze83

Active Member
Ok so here it goes this will be a long one bare with me and any input is welcome :eyesmoke:. I have 5 seedlings growing and seven more seeds just planted (all bag seed btw) and waiting to sprout so that'll be a total of 12 plants im growing. Im starting them out in 1g pots at my house and letting them get big enough to survive out in the open desert. I will be growing out in the middle of the desert its a very cactusy and rocky walk out there so i really doubt anyone will be out there. My only concern would be park rangers it is considered a national forest or whatever (so no hunters also). I did find a tag (check out the pics) naming the area but that was a good distance away from my grow spot and you have to be within a stones throw to see it also. There is no reason why i can think the rangers would go out there, there is nothing of interest in the area. What do you guys think?
So my main grow area is in the pics its around 5x5 i would guess, how many plants should be in this area i dont wanna have it over crowded? The rest of the plants will be spread out all within a 15 min walk from the main site. Ive already dug a big ass hole for the main area (huge boulders were ever inch so it was a major pain) as you can see and will be doing the same for the others but i wanted to know what you guys think of the local soil its very very sandy its seems not sure if its worth using at all? If it is should i mix it with other potting soil since its quite sandy? Basically the main question here is would you use the local soil (check out pics to see quality), mix local with store bought or all store bought? Also what kinda soil mix would you all suggest for the desert i want something obviously thats gonna hold moisture well but just cant find any advice on whats good for the desert? So what would you guys do for soil? Any and all input is welcome thanks everyone. :)
(Pics are coming give me a few ty ;-))
 

Apocalypze83

Active Member
Heres some pics of the general area, the grow site, the tag and close shots of soil. (EDIT) Just so there is no confusion the pics that are far away from the mountain are just pics of me heading to the site not me at the actual grow site.
 

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Apocalypze83

Active Member
You assume arizona or NM? there is plenty of desert out there man =P and Gl with that lol :) i drop my water off at night and water daily plus i bring my machette with me so please make it fun for me haha ;)

Still need some advice people thanks :))
 

dirmer3

Well-Known Member
I would definitely dig a hole and fill it with some high quality soil. The soil out there can be good, but it's a crap shoot. If you don't want to add fertilizer often then just get a soil with nutrients in it. Otherwise, fox farm with some perlite is the way to go. Looks like you chose a pretty decent spot, the only thing i'd worry about is that building in the distance...
 

pinkjackyle

Well-Known Member
i dont like mg nuted stuff but i think that moisture control potting soil might b the ticket in a desert just dont feed and only water
 

Apocalypze83

Active Member
Damn lol i guess you got me there c0rd >.< ill let you figure out which one though haha. Dirmer- The building is on the way to the grow site i go much deeper into the desert far behind thier property then into the national forest so i got that covered i think. Im still worried about that tag and park rangers though. :/ I really dont think i could afford FFOF for the amount of soil im gonna need; for my seedlings i mixed half kellogs potting soil and half of this other organic soil that was 1/3 peat 1/3 verm 1/3 compost and that worked well but i still wanna focus on making a water retaining soil any ideas?. I wont mind adding nutes ill probably go with the fox farm line never really researched anything else. Pink-i really dont know if i should go with the moisture control it sounds nice in theory but doesn't it have about 6 months worth of ferts? my grow will be long done and itll still have ferts in it i dont wanna harvest and have nasty ass tasting bud =P
Oh another random question for everyone one. How would you guys on RIU go about curing your bud in the desert? I cant cure at home its just not possible, starting my seedlings is no problem but there is no way i could cure several ounces there.
 

pinkjackyle

Well-Known Member
Damn lol i guess you got me there c0rd >.< ill let you figure out which one though haha. Dirmer- The building is on the way to the grow site i go much deeper into the desert far behind thier property then into the national forest so i got that covered i think. Im still worried about that tag and park rangers though. :/ I really dont think i could afford FFOF for the amount of soil im gonna need; for my seedlings i mixed half kellogs potting soil and half of this other organic soil that was 1/3 peat 1/3 verm 1/3 compost and that worked well but i still wanna focus on making a water retaining soil any ideas?. I wont mind adding nutes ill probably go with the fox farm line never really researched anything else. Pink-i really dont know if i should go with the moisture control it sounds nice in theory but doesn't it have about 6 months worth of ferts? my grow will be long done and itll still have ferts in it i dont wanna harvest and have nasty ass tasting bud =P
Oh another random question for everyone one. How would you guys on RIU go about curing your bud in the desert? I cant cure at home its just not possible, starting my seedlings is no problem but there is no way i could cure several ounces there.
yea i dont like it but i respect that goo they put in it 4 moisture retention . vermiculite retains water crushed cotton seed does too i beleive . trimming must b a problem too , screen and some sharpened 2x4 to drive in dirt staple screen 2 wood dry it out side then jar it i guess
 

SCARHOLE

Well-Known Member
The Miracal moisture control soil only uses Coco for water retenton, no polymers its pretty good im using it. The fertz in it are week an suposed to last 3 months, I just use 1/2 strength ferts tell they are gone. Never had bud taste bad from MG soil or Fertz i use both.

I am using camo cages to help shade em, MG moisture control and water absorbing starch based polymers callled ZEBA gel to also help hold in water. But the best water saving comes from mulching around the plants to hold the water in the ground, an deep watering at the roots when its coolest to avoid evaporation.

Check out my grow journal on U-tube, it may help you.
 

making the $$$

Active Member
I think someone hinted on this with deep root watering. But when you put your dirt in put a 2 pieces of small PVC pipe in the ground 1/2" diameter with holes drilled in 4 places (2 towards left elbow, two towards right) then have an elbow on each end that extends to the surface. Watering through these holes will allow you to reach the deeper areas easier. This is very important in the desert where transpiration is high. You dont have to do this but it isnt really hard to make and will only cost you 10-20$
 

Apocalypze83

Active Member
You think it would be possible to filter out the timed released ferts from the Mg moisture control? Might be worth a shot or i may just try it on one of my plants just to see how it turns out.
 

Apocalypze83

Active Member
Im thinking i may use the mg moisture control on alot of my plants i still want to try a custom mix though??hmmmm
C0rd where in Az, North or south?
pretty high right now btw :))
 
I think you should fill your holes with sunshine mix growers natural organic with some polymer crystals for best water retention. For nutrients check out the humboldt nutrient line up, but you can't go wrong with fox farms just keep the ph really low.
 
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