Growing in Soil

I have a few questions about growing in soil.

Is it beneficial to keep seedlings in a humidity dome like you do clones?

Can pots have too much drainage?

Anyone have experience with Fox Farms Ocean Forest Soil?
It was highly recommended but I’ve heard it can burn seedlings. Is there any truth to this?

Is it okay to re-use soil? The stuffs expensive.
Is there anything you have to do to it first before you use it again? (Sterilize it somehow, I don’t know…)

Is there a benefit to the 18-6 light cycle or is 24 hr light better? I read something about roots growing in the dark but I don’t remember where. Is that correct?

wow you need to spend time reading here.
your answers are ALL here, many with several opinions.
use the Search Option / Advanced / Titles only

That was the best way for me to weed out information.

jchesmore722 said:

I have a few questions about growing in soil.

Is it beneficial to keep seedlings in a humidity dome like you do clones?

Can pots have too much drainage?

Click to expand...

My environment is fairly dry this time of year (30% RH) and I have absolutely no problem growing seedlings without a humidity dome. So, no I don't think it's necessary.

Anyone have experience with Fox Farms Ocean Forest Soil?
It was highly recommended but I’ve heard it can burn seedlings. Is there any truth to this?

Click to expand...

I haven't used FFOF soil myself, but have heard the same. If you plan on using FFOF for your grow that's fine, just start the seedlings in peat pellets, rockwool, or get some seedling starter soil (you can find it at walmart). Start the seedlings in that and once they are about 3 weeks old, you can transplant them into bigger pots filled with FFOF.

Is it okay to re-use soil? The stuffs expensive.
Is there anything you have to do to it first before you use it again? (Sterilize it somehow, I don’t know…)

Click to expand...

It is possible, but not recommended. When reusing soil you'll be more likely to run into pH problems and nutrient lockout which can severly damage or even kill your crop, and at the very least will reduce your yield considerably. I've never reused soil personally, so I wouldn't recommend it. As for the expense, indoor growing is expensive by nature, but do yourself a favor and buy the soil by the compressed bail. You can get 3.8 cu.ft. of compressed Promix for about $30.00 and that will fill about 50 Gallons worth of pots. As for FFOF, I'm not sure if they sell that by the bail but you can certainly look into it.

Is there a benefit to the 18-6 light cycle or is 24 hr light better? I read something about roots growing in the dark but I don’t remember where. Is that correct?

Click to expand...

Some claim they get slightly faster growth on a 24hr light cycle, but most recommend 18 hrs on/6 hrs. off. I don't think the extra 6 hrs. pays off, especially if you're using high wattage lighting (eg. MH or HPS). The way I look at it is, the idea of a perfect indoor environment is to emulate a perfect outdoor environment. Where on this planet do you hear of 24 hrs. of light (other than the poles of coarse, but plants aren't growing there!). I would go with 18 on/6 off.

don't reuse soil, u don't have to buy the expensive stuff either, it's all in the nutes you use, i use the $11 big bag of sunshine mix and am doing very well.

and read up like the rest of us did!!

jchesmore722 said:

I have a few questions about growing in soil.

Is it beneficial to keep seedlings in a humidity dome like you do clones? NO

Can pots have too much drainage? NO

Anyone have experience with Fox Farms Ocean Forest Soil?
It was highly recommended but I’ve heard it can burn seedlings. Is there any truth to this?NO

Is it okay to re-use soil? The stuffs expensive.
Is there anything you have to do to it first before you use it again? (Sterilize it somehow, I don’t know…)IF YOU FLUSH IT OUT VERY VERY GOOD. YES

Is there a benefit to the 18-6 light cycle or is 24 hr light better? I read something about roots growing in the dark but I don’t remember where. Is that correct?

Click to expand...

18/6 WILL BE THE BEST

ScottsBlown99 said:

don't reuse soil, u don't have to buy the expensive stuff either, it's all in the nutes you use, i use the $11 big bag of sunshine mix and am doing very well.

Click to expand...

where i live the FFOF is only $16 for a giant bag...

Price went up on FF ocean forest out here. It's now $20
Keep in mind, if U reuse Soil it will be just like dirt, no nutes added.