Soil question

noxiously

noxiously

Well-Known Member
I'm sure it's been asked a zillion times already but what is the best soil, in your opinion that is on the market? Also if one were to want to "build" their own soil or soil less mix what is a good reliable recipe. I've seen the super soil recipe by subcool, maybe someone has a better option, or just some other options. Starting with a base of Sunshine advance mix #4 and worm castings. Oh and what ratio should I use for mixing in worm castings? I hear 3 to 4 parts soil to 1 part castings.
 
Hey, noxiously, it seems a lot of people have had this question lately! I've been sharing my recipe with people. I hope it helps you! Here's what I posted a little earlier:

  • So as far as mixing the soil goes, I like to layer my soil so that the roots work their way into the hotter soil. So, I start off by putting a layer of straight Ocean Forest down, about 1/5 of the way up the pot. Then, on top of this I put about another 1/5 of Roots Organic, and then a cup and a half of worm castings. This is your "hot layer", and it makes up 2/5 of your total. Mix this all together.

    The next layer will be your "transition layer" where the plants will work their way down into hotter, but not yet totally hot soil. This layer consists of mostly Roots, with a little Ocean Forest mixed in. Throw another half cup of worm castings into this layer, and blend just this top few inches, taking care not to disturb the bottom.

    The final layer is where you transplant your baby plants. This is the last 6 inches or so of soil on top, that you can push aside and set your babies into. Remember, this soil now has a ton of nitrogen-rich worm castings in it, so all you have to do is give it water. The plant will grow really big in this soil, and if you mix it up in like a 15 gallon pot, you won't have to worry about adding anything but water until it flowers. That's like 2 months without mixing nutes. 2 months without guessing, or stressing, or going, "Why is my plant turning colors!?" You just sit back, give it ph adjusted water, and worry about giving it nutrients when you're trying to grow fat buds!!​


    ​
 
go with Subcool's supersoil and if you dont have the patience to mix all that grab some Roots Organic. I have RO on my grows now after using Ocean Forest for many years and so far I am impressed with the Ro and the nutrients already inside, that I dont have to add thru feedings.
 
The main consideration to a good soil/grow media is STRUCTURE. Thats all any soil/soiless mix has to offer. Everything else is fluff. You can create your own mix easily and inexpensively by starting out with a good basic potting soil, and mixing it with a good compost, both of which are available at any nursery/garden center. Adjust the pH of the mix with lime, dolomite, or oyster shell if necessary, and you have your basic soil.
Then you start adding your starting nutrients like EWC, a prepared balanced nutrient, or guanos, manures, etc.
Buying soil is more a convenience than anything because it's already done. But you are trusting that hte manufacturer has done their job and produced a good batch. All you have to do is use the search function to see that almost without exception, everyone who has problems with their soils also BOUGHT those soils. One major manufacturer of a popular soil who I won't name, but their initials are FF seems to top that list. Either with pH issues, or being too hot for young plants. I have never seen a thread where Subcools mix, or any other home made mix was giving people problems.
Make your own either the way I described or use another popular mix like subcools. Either way you'll save money, get everything locally, and will know what you have. A MUCH better product than anything you can buy.
 

  • go with Subcool's supersoil and if you dont have the patience to mix all that grab some Roots Organic. I have RO on my grows now after using Ocean Forest for many years and so far I am impressed with the Ro and the nutrients already inside, that I dont have to add thru feedings.​


    ​
/QUOTE]

Absolutely! I got the method for mixing the soil layers directly from Subby's video on transplanting. I also went through a period of using a lot of Ocean Forest, and, like I said, I now mix it with Roots. I've also experimented with a coco-based product called Manna Soil. It was nice, but I didn't like it as much as Roots.

One drawback, as Subby has said in his video, and as I can attest in my current grow--anyone using Roots is likely to be dealing with thrips or fungus gnats right now. It's an easy enough problem to control with a little diatomaceous earth and maybe some Spinosad. Overall I still think Roots is worth it. Just my two cents. :) Happy growing!
Click to expand...
 
The stuff I grow in is only fluff, and I add more fluff to it. Pro-mix seed starter plus 30% perlite for babies, and pro-mix hp for grown ups. I've also had success wi pro-mix bx with 30% perlite. I like a clean base to add my chemical nutrients to. I did used to use FFOF for my babies, I thought more money meant happier girls at the time, but it was not well tolerated by my strains. If u want simple like other ppl have recommended, FFOF is super popular and has awesome quality stuff in it. I would just tone it down a lot if I still was gonna use it.
 
Thanks for all the great info, I'm gonna go out and look for some of that Roots Organic. Ill also go get some of the dolomite as mentioned. So far my ph meter is reading 6.8 for the soil mix I made. I mixed Sunshine Advance Mix #4, worm castings, a little vermiculite. The worm casting to sunshine mix ratio is 1 part castings to 4 parts soil and the vermiculite is something like 1 part V to 12 parts soil. I hope it won't be too much nitrogen, the package said to mix 1:3 ratio for potted plants.
 
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