Grow Mediums / Is Peat Moss OK?

illvibes

Member

• Oct 7, 2012

• #1

Hey guys, I'm a new grower, and I'm doing a test grow on a miscellaneous seed. I'm in the second week of sprout, and I've been using Peat Moss as my grow medium. However, I've noticed that Peat Moss is extremely absorbant, and never really seems to dry out. As a result, I'm really confused as to when I should water my plant, and I'm nervous about root rot. Is Peat Moss an OK grow medium? If so, how often should I be watering? If not, do you have suggestions for better grow mediums? Thanks in advance!

 

gaztron3030

Active Member

• Oct 7, 2012

• #2

Add some perlite, vermiculite, hydroton or something similar to add drainage.
Peat is not the best option for a beginner, you need to provide the plant with everything nutrient wise.
Potting soil is a good option for a beginner but that doesn't mean you can't do well first time in soilless

 

illvibes

Member

• Oct 7, 2012

• #3

Ok thanks, I'll look into those. I have plant nutrients for each stage of growth, so I think I should be ok nutrient-wise.

 

gaztron3030

Active Member

• Oct 7, 2012

• #4

illvibes said:

Ok thanks, I'll look into those. I have plant nutrients for each stage of growth, so I think I should be ok nutrient-wise.

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It's not about having what you need it's the fact that soil helps you to buffer the nutrients and breaks them down for the plant etc.
You will not have that help and will have to be on to it with your feedings. If you get it right growth will be great but if you make even small mistakes soilless can be very unforgiving.

 

WhiteRooster

Active Member

• Oct 7, 2012

• #5

Peat moss is a great growing medium but would recommend premixed growing mediums like Sunshine #4 or Pro Mix both are peat moss based but have perlite and dolomite lime to help drainage and buffer the soil pH

 

smokinrav

Well-Known Member

• Oct 8, 2012

• #6

When I make my own soil, I mix my peat with 1/3 black dirt, then add the perlite, sand, vermiculite, etc. Believe me, the black dirt in the mix makes all the difference with drainage and moisture retention.

 

illvibes

Member

• Oct 8, 2012

• #7

Awesome, this is all great advice, thanks guys! I'll be transplanting soon so I'll get a new soil mix set up

 

ActionHanks

Well-Known Member

• Oct 8, 2012

• #8

I think its ok, but I have to agree with the absorbency comment. Ive got one plant out of four in peat moss bc i ran out of coco in my hempy buckets (60% perlite, 40% coco), and it is always wet, Id be willing to say around 2x as much retention as coco.