Making soil

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I'm a diehard Coco grower but I'm going to do some soil growing. I need to make it simple where only water is needed. I'm making my own soil and would appreciate any helpful input provided. If I'm missing anything or have something I don't need please let me know.

Also if anyone has any general ratios to provide that would be great.

This is my canvas

Promix HP
Coco coir
Worm castings
Perlite
Vermiculite
Rock phosphate
Azomite
Dolomite lime
Oyster shell
Humic acid
Alfalfa Meal
Bat Guano
Blood meal
Bone meal
Crab meal
Kelp meal
Neem meal

I have lime and oyster shells. Can I just use oyster shells instead of lime?

Do I need anything else? I'm hesitant to use any forms of manure. Perhaps some sterilized compost?
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Whatchya plan on feeding em if your not going organic lol
That's a good question. I was hoping to make a soil that didn't require any additional feeding. At least for the majority of the grow. I have several friends that want to grow but it needs to be as simple as possible as in all they need to do is water. I'm also going to do a side by side with coco and soil to see any differences in growth,quality, and yield. These will be clones from the same plant.

It would probably be easier to just buy some off the shelf soil but I am also using the amendments I purchased for growing things other than cannabis so I figured I might as well just mix my own soil.
 

projectinfo

Well-Known Member
That's a good question. I was hoping to make a soil that didn't require any additional feeding. At least for the majority of the grow. I have several friends that want to grow but it needs to be as simple as possible as in all they need to do is water. I'm also going to do a side by side with coco and soil to see any differences in growth,quality, and yield. These will be clones from the same plant.

It would probably be easier to just buy some off the shelf soil but I am also using the amendments I purchased for growing things other than cannabis so I figured I might as well just mix my own soil.
Right on man, I'm not big into soil but there's tonns of recipes on here if you search or Google.

But what I do know is coco haha I'm in the middle of a very nice run at the moment, if you'd like to take a look

http://rollitup.org/t/flower-pics-blueberry-canuk-seeds-feminized.958471/page-5
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Here's a good basic guide to soil building!
https://forum.grasscity.com/threads/easy-organic-soil-mix-for-beginners.1116550/

This is a great way to get started...Lot's of "between the lines" stuff in that thread.....
Thanks for that link! I have spent hours researching and never found that thread. The second post "Additional amendments" pretty much answered the questions I was seeking. Just like that!
I'm going to mix everything up and add 3 cups of that mixture to each cubic foot of promix along with some a balanced dry organic fertilizer, 10% worm castings and 20% coco coir.

Also, I've heard you mention Potassium sulphate. What is the ratio per gallon of water when using it in pure soluble form?
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
Thanks for that link! I have spent hours researching and never found that thread. The second post "Additional amendments" pretty much answered the questions I was seeking. Just like that!
I'm going to mix everything up and add 3 cups of that mixture to each cubic foot of promix along with some a balanced dry organic fertilizer, 10% worm castings and 20% coco coir.

Also, I've heard you mention Potassium sulphate. What is the ratio per gallon of water when using it in pure soluble form?
I use the Alpha Chemical 0-0-53..

To apply as a powder - 1/4 tsp per gallon of feed solution......

I still prefer the 6% solution

227gr in a gallon of water (RO)
1.5 tsp of Dark Brown sugar

10 ml per gallon

STOP use at 2-3 weeks to harvest!
 

BudmanTX

Well-Known Member
That's a good question. I was hoping to make a soil that didn't require any additional feeding. At least for the majority of the grow. I have several friends that want to grow but it needs to be as simple as possible as in all they need to do is water. I'm also going to do a side by side with coco and soil to see any differences in growth,quality, and yield. These will be clones from the same plant.

It would probably be easier to just buy some off the shelf soil but I am also using the amendments I purchased for growing things other than cannabis so I figured I might as well just mix my own soil.
i like testing batches as i make them, usually tomato plants or squash. i also let mine set for a season before usage, let it cook itself....
 

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
That's a good question. I was hoping to make a soil that didn't require any additional feeding. At least for the majority of the grow. I have several friends that want to grow but it needs to be as simple as possible as in all they need to do is water. I'm also going to do a side by side with coco and soil to see any differences in growth,quality, and yield. These will be clones from the same plant.

It would probably be easier to just buy some off the shelf soil but I am also using the amendments I purchased for growing things other than cannabis so I figured I might as well just mix my own soil.
A water only grow is growing organically. Amending an existing mix is pretty much the same as building your own soil. There won't very be much difference between your coco grow with nutrients and the soil water only grow except the taste of the end product if you do it right. Soil works much better after it has been recycled a few times so don't go by your first harvest which I predict the yield to be slightly better with coco/nutes.
Sounds like you have the right amendments on hand for a successful grow. Use both the lime and oyster shell at the same time as they both take awhile to become available. Compost is super important; do not be afraid to add lots of EWC and more perlite if that makes the mix very heavy. Go easy on the humid acid; a little goes a very long way. Composted manure is the shit so don't be afraid to use it either. I put a handful of chicken manure...Charlie's compost brand...into each container just before bloom phase.
I sell clones to my homies who grow by potting them so it is water only and no transplants for them to hassle with. They just need to veg for a few weeks and then flip em; then the root ball is returned and recycled again. It is important that if you plan to go without nutes that your/their water supply is clean or you/they will need to add nutes before too long. Microbial activity is what feeds your plants in lieu of soluble nutrients. Chlorine will kill them so use clean water and you'll never have a problem with your natural soil grow.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I use the Alpha Chemical 0-0-53..

To apply as a powder - 1/4 tsp per gallon of feed solution......

I still prefer the 6% solution

227gr in a gallon of water (RO)
1.5 tsp of Dark Brown sugar

10 ml per gallon

STOP use at 2-3 weeks to harvest!
That's the same product I purchased from Alpha Chemicals. Thanks for the ratio.



i like testing batches as i make them, usually tomato plants or squash. i also let mine set for a season before usage, let it cook itself....
I'm going to let some sit for awhile but I'm also going to use some right away. As for tomato's, that's one of the things I'm growing as well. Got my Mortgate Lifters, Siletz, and Stupice's already sprouted and growing. Those and some Eggplant and Peppers. I've been working on my outdoor garden soil for a few years now and it's starting to become really nice. The addition of some of these amendments should really bump it up. I just wish I would have bought in larger quantities. Guess I better order more. I hate it when I'm so short sighted.

A water only grow is growing organically. Amending an existing mix is pretty much the same as building your own soil. There won't very be much difference between your coco grow with nutrients and the soil water only grow except the taste of the end product if you do it right. Soil works much better after it has been recycled a few times so don't go by your first harvest which I predict the yield to be slightly better with coco/nutes.
Sounds like you have the right amendments on hand for a successful grow. Use both the lime and oyster shell at the same time as they both take awhile to become available. Compost is super important; do not be afraid to add lots of EWC and more perlite if that makes the mix very heavy. Go easy on the humid acid; a little goes a very long way. Composted manure is the shit so don't be afraid to use it either. I put a handful of chicken manure...Charlie's compost brand...into each container just before bloom phase.
I sell clones to my homies. who grow by potting them so it is water only and no transplants for them to hassle with. They just need to veg for a few weeks and then flip em; then the root ball is returned and recycled again. It is important that if you plan to go without nutes that your/their water supply is clean or you/they will need to add nutes before too long. Microbial activity is what feeds your plants in lieu of soluble nutrients. Chlorine will kill them so use clean water and you'll never have a problem with your natural soil grow.
Thanks for your input. I'm learning that it is not going to be an overnight process to good soil. I'm buying some 30 gallon containers to let it cook. In the meantime I'm going with fresh soil.

One thing I'm going to do is pay the $40 to rent a 6 cubic foot cement mixer from Home Depot to mix everything. I'm going to be purchasing some more peat and manure for the garden so I'll make a day of mixing soil.

I also got some other ammendments


Langbeinite
Green sand
Bokashi
 
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Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
That's the same product I purchased from Alpha Chemicals. Thanks for the ratio.





I'm going to let some sit for awhile but I'm also going to use some right away. As for tomato's, that's one of the things I'm growing as well. Got my Mortgate Lifters, Siletz, and Stupice's already sprouted and growing. Those and some Eggplant and Peppers. I've been working on my outdoor garden soil for a few years now and it's starting to become really nice. The addition of some of these amendments should really bump it up. I just wish I would have bought in larger quantities. Guess I better order more. I hate it when I'm so short sighted.



Thanks for your input. I'm learning that it is not going to be an overnight process to good soil. I'm buying some 30 gallon containers to let it cook. In the meantime I'm going with fresh soil.

One thing I'm going to do is pay the $40 to rent a 6 cubic foot cement mixer from Home Depot to mix everything. I'm going to be purchasing some more peat and manure for the garden so I'll make a day of mixing soil.

I also got some other ammendments


Langbeinite
Green sand
Bokashi
LOL, I bought a cement mixer some years back...Exclusive to the grow....Frickin wife gets caught doing her potting soil builds with it....Oh well, I get "paid" for the use...
 

Richard Drysift

Well-Known Member
That's the same product I purchased from Alpha Chemicals. Thanks for the ratio.





I'm going to let some sit for awhile but I'm also going to use some right away. As for tomato's, that's one of the things I'm growing as well. Got my Mortgate Lifters, Siletz, and Stupice's already sprouted and growing. Those and some Eggplant and Peppers. I've been working on my outdoor garden soil for a few years now and it's starting to become really nice. The addition of some of these amendments should really bump it up. I just wish I would have bought in larger quantities. Guess I better order more. I hate it when I'm so short sighted.



Thanks for your input. I'm learning that it is not going to be an overnight process to good soil. I'm buying some 30 gallon containers to let it cook. In the meantime I'm going with fresh soil.

One thing I'm going to do is pay the $40 to rent a 6 cubic foot cement mixer from Home Depot to mix everything. I'm going to be purchasing some more peat and manure for the garden so I'll make a day of mixing soil.

I also got some other ammendments


Langbeinite
Green sand
Bokashi
I never built up my own mix either I just bought some decent organic soil (FFOF and sunshine mix) and amended it over & over again after the first harvest. It takes a few recycles before it really starts to kick ass. You can add in some stuff like composted materials and aeration without need for time cooking it in. Some amendments like greensand on the other hand literally take a year before it does anything for your plants. The cement mixer is a cool idea if you've got a lot to mix but a shovel & a large tote bin works just fine.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Well here is an early report.

I'm extremely happy with the results. In fact I'm somewhat amazed. Growth has been phenomenal after transplanting one test plant into the soil. I'm going to give it a week before I transplant anything else into the soil.

We'll see where this leads.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
So I'm into flower and the plants are doing pretty good. I didn't let the soil age so I think it's a little hot. I'm giving just plain water because I see no need to add anything. I think it will be just water only for the entire grow in this soil. If this finishes like I think it will I'm going to switch to supersoil and move on from chemical salts and coco. I'm tired of mixing nutes. I like the idea of spending a little time to mix up a couple 50 gallon containers of supersoil to have on hand and not having to do anything but water with plain water. I've found an organic farm supply store that carries most of the amendments in sizes from 5 lb to 50 lb so I'm going to start buying in bulk. I'm also using everything in my vegetable garden as well.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Went to the organic supply store.

Alfalfa meal $21.50 40 lbs
Azomite $22.95 44 lbs
Crustacean Meal $36.50 40 lbs
Kelp Meal $74.95 50 lbs

It's much cheaper to buy in bulk. I forgot the bat guano but they have it. They had some other stuff I'm going back to get as well.
 

ChiefRunningPhist

Well-Known Member
Went to the organic supply store.

Alfalfa meal $21.50 40 lbs
Azomite $22.95 44 lbs
Crustacean Meal $36.50 40 lbs
Kelp Meal $74.95 50 lbs

It's much cheaper to buy in bulk. I forgot the bat guano but they have it. They had some other stuff I'm going back to get as well.
Have you gone back to coco?
 
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