Promix Mycorrhizae / Perlite on automated drippers?? DTW- Looking to leave coco

TurboTokes

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, im thinking of running Promix w/ Myco with about 20-25% more perlite mixed in. Exclusively running that as my medium for clones, vegging and flower



Im currently running coco/perlite but I think I have issues with the coco retaining salts or getting bad coco to start with maybe.

Im interested in promix because it is affordable and availale locally, alos this myco additive is very raved about for its root growth as well as the promix having some lime to buffer ph.

I would like to worry less about ph and ph drift in a small 20 gallon res, simply fill the res, follow lucas formula, ph to about 6 and forget about it til it needs to be refilled. I would be running fabric pots, unsure of size yet, I like 3-5 gallons though unless Im swayed

Do you guys think I could have good results as compared to coco? Is there any drawback to the promix vs coco. The only one Im aware of is how the promix takes water when hand waterring, you have to give it a small ammount to break surface tension and then do you waterring. Where as coco can be waterred quite fast right off the bat. Might not be a huge deal with drippers but I have no experience with them
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
I've been using PRoMix HP for about the last 5 years. You couldn't get SFA around here so in the city I could get Sunshine Mix #4 and just boost up the perlite. HP doesn't need any extra perlite.

Not sure whether the myco makes any difference when feeding with hydro nutes like I do but I'm experimenting.

Been doing a 50:50 with the HP and ProMix Veg and Herb but the organic time release nutes seem to act like Miracle Grow and can burn up more sensitive plants so straight HP for now on.

Tried coco about 16 years ago and didn't like it. Can't get it here and the ProMix is everywhere. Even their nutrients but I haven't tried them yet. Planning to tho.

I use only RO water and do the whole grows without a lot if any runoff and no flushing even with plants that are 4 months in their final pot.

Waters fine but breaking up the surface helps. If in a hurry I'll just dump in what I know to be a full watering's worth and walk away. It'll run into the catch tray then suck itself up into the pot. Thinking of getting some Blumats to do the watering. Definitely getting my own RO unit now that our local store may be getting out of that business since their machine broke down again and they always have to wait ages for parts. 25 miles to drive for $4/5USG is the straw that just broke this camel's back. :)

:peace:
 

kingtitan

Well-Known Member
I used promix HP without anything added for years as well. Quality went down the drain in the last 10 years. I didn't see any Myco growth after harvest either so its a just a sham or I got 3 bad bales bought from different places at different times...
 

TurboTokes

Well-Known Member
Myco growth, theres a term Im going to have to look up

Currently I use my well water, but it is fairly high is base ppm. I suppose I could purchase RO water, but Id much rather collect and use rain water

Im on the fence as to what to use for a growing medium, nothing seems to be as forgiving as Promix / Coco when it comes to a soil-less setup. You can miss a waterring if the pump fails for a day no big deal
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
I used promix HP without anything added for years as well. Quality went down the drain in the last 10 years. I didn't see any Myco growth after harvest either so its a just a sham or I got 3 bad bales bought from different places at different times...
It says right on the bales that they should be used within 6 months for the Mycoactive™ to remain active. My bales usually get pretty old before they get used and who knows how long since they were first made. They sit in my carport and freeze rock solid all winter so that likely doesn't help. How do you tell if it's working?

I water in some molasses to just in case it helps but not sure if it does anything.

:peace:
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
Myco growth, theres a term Im going to have to look up

Currently I use my well water, but it is fairly high is base ppm. I suppose I could purchase RO water, but Id much rather collect and use rain water

Im on the fence as to what to use for a growing medium, nothing seems to be as forgiving as Promix / Coco when it comes to a soil-less setup. You can miss a waterring if the pump fails for a day no big deal
Our dugout water is around 400ppm, pH 7.8, and I only use it if I'm out of RO. The minerals in hard water remain in the pots after the water is used by the plants and build up like scale in a kettle so regular use would lead to problems. Using RO with pH Perfect nutes means not worrying about pH problems to me.

I hand water and only have to water every 4 or 5 days. Still a PITA and why I'm thinking of getting Blumats but then I got watering tubes going everywhere and that would cramp my style. :)

:peace:
 

kingtitan

Well-Known Member
It says right on the bales that they should be used within 6 months for the Mycoactive™ to remain active. My bales usually get pretty old before they get used and who knows how long since they were first made. They sit in my carport and freeze rock solid all winter so that likely doesn't help. How do you tell if it's working?

I water in some molasses to just in case it helps but not sure if it does anything.

:peace:
When you pull them out at harvest you should see fungus around the roots. I saw nothing vs what I see in soil. I also did the molasses hoping to breed more microbes and fungus lol.
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
I inspect my root structures when I empty the pots and haven't seen noticeable fungal growth on them. Irepot 3 or 4 times during a plant's life and cut the bottom of the rootball off each time so at the end there's just a web of fine roots holding the ball together with no long ones in the bottom.

I read quite a while ago that the bacteria packs used for septic tanks is good for soil grows too so have some of that in one plant that has two clone sisters to see if it does anything. They all got molasses but only the one got a couple of tsps of the bacteria in the soil when repotting into a 2L pot from a 1. Not killing it but nothing of note yet and it's been two weeks at least.

:peace:
 
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