SOIL QUESTION -pro mix

Hi guys I'm new to the forum, growing 2 indica plants now, and one sativa, we have limited soil choice around here, I heard of using pro mix but didn't know you needed the bx kind, I picked up pro mix organic vegetable and herb mix, I mixed it pretty heavy, almost 50/50 with perlite, I plan to use nutrients high in nitrogen to veg so I'm not so worried about nutrients, just about the mix itself, anyone who has any idea information would be greatly appreciated as I've already transplanted into this medium last night not knowing the difference

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I don't believe the BX does much anyway.

Younggrower09 said:

I heard of using pro mix but didn't know you needed the bx kind, I picked up pro mix organic vegetable and herb mix, I mixed it pretty heavy, almost 50/50 with perlite,

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I use Pro-Mix HP (high porosity, perlite only.). BX has vermiculite and I've heard it works better under hotter lights (HID).

What you bought is more like soil than soilless. It's going to have nutrients, so you can't treat it as a soilless (HP or BX) which has enough nutes only for seedling. Adding perlite was probably a good idea. 50% sounds like a lot, but if it looks good to you. I add 20% perlite to my HP, which is already well draining. So, 50% is probably right for something more soil.

I think the biggest challenge will be if you planned to feed like a soilless (like, a GH Flora schedule). Does the bag indicate any NPK percentages? You want to be careful and watch for nute burn if you feed according to a schedule.

It says 0.12 % nitrogen .6% phosphorous .8 potassium, I was going to use gh micro or something, what would you recommend for veg? I'm trying to speed it up as much as possible but not taking a effect on my harvest, what if I just used half strength or 3/4 strength untill flowering, I'm sure the plant should use up that soil nutrients by then, anyone have any opinions on that logic?

Those NPK values aren't much. I'd err on the high side and watch for burn.

I used GH Flora 3-part at roughly half-strength in Pro-Mix HP. So, for example, GH's recommended 3-2-1 in veg would be 1.5-1-.5 (tsp).

I actually followed the so-called "useless" schedule (<<link) which goes a little higher than 1/2 strength. So, my point is: in your case, I'd go just shy of 1/2 strength and a little higher from there (watching for burn tips).

Not sure why you're talking about GH micro only, unless you're contemplating the "Lucas" formula. Just saying, in case you weren't aware it is a 3-part or 2-part if you follow Lucas. I've never tried that. I did 3-part with "useless."

I was planning the lucas which only called for micro and bloom not the grow, so I was going to give micro then bloom mixed with bud candy and big bud or something, this is my first grow so I'm open to any advice from experienced growers about nutrients and what works best for indica

Younggrower09 said:

I was planning the lucas which only called for micro and bloom not the grow, so I was going to give micro then bloom mixed with bud candy and big bud or something, this is my first grow so I'm open to any advice from experienced growers about nutrients and what works best for indica

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You should be ok with Lucas. I've never used it. I agree with the premise of Lucas, that the Grow part doesn't add much. OTOH, I'm more conservative and would be inclined to follow mfg instructions at the commonly-understood 1/2 strength. Then you'd have something to compare Lucas to on a later grow. I just took that mindset a bit further with the "useless" schedule which seems to have found a slightly higher strength at different stages. And, takes into account the use of bloom booster. Basically, cut the 1-2-3 (flower) schedule in half when using booster.

Good luck. As a new grower, you'll want to be aware of your ph in and out (runoff). Most problems seem to be ph related. And then, if using city tap water, you should use filtered/bottled water unless you're certain the TDS is low (and willing to live with the variable of chlorine/chloramine).

Not familiar with Big Bud nor Bud Candy. I use GH KoolBloom liquid during most of the bloom, and powder for a week or two at the end (maybe once in the middle too). This is another thing where you might want to do a grow without just so you have something to compare to when you try a booster. (limit your variables).