Soil Mixes

Hey there folks,

I've been lurking around for a few months and after gathering the majority of my supplies I come down with a couple of simple questions. It's been asked before I know but searching hasn't answered my questions clearly. Before I ask here is what I have for my setup:

- Collection of random bag seed from middies to a couple headies
- A 2' wide x4' deep x8' tall closet for vegging and flowering
- A second 2x4x8 closet with shop light and 4 vegging compact fluros for seedlings to prevent burning and lower power usage
- HTG Supply 600W digital ballast, hood, HPS and MH bulb.
- Bushel of medium grade vermiculite
- Bushel of perlite
- Bale of peat moss
- 2 40lb bags of composted manure w/ humus from Home Depot(idea from Stinky)
- 5lb Dolomitic lime
- 2.5lb Hydrated lime (from mycology)
- Fox Farms liquid nutes (Grow, Bloom, Tiger)
- Liquid Ph testing kit and ph strips
- Half a large bag of MG Moisture Control (from mycology)

Soon to have (when I can afford it):

- Micro nutes (need suggestions, Superthrive, Liquid Karma, and any others ya'll might suggest)
- Venting soon to be (Home depot inline fan and carbon/kitty litter filter).
- Ph Up/Down solution

Ok so heres the simple questions:
- Creating a soil mix for germination to the point of seedlings, what would be a suitable mix for germination (I soak 24ish hours then sow in soil), this is the question I just can't get a definitive answer on
- With what I have, what would you guys an gals suggest for a soil mix post seedlings with the macro nutes and a couple micro nutes?
- Any other basic supplies that anyone can recommend (basic and essential, run my budget towards the end of its rope)

Thanks for the help everyone,

Potsy

For germination, a completely unfertilized 'seedling mix' is ideal. It should have a pH around 6.7 or so, and nice fine texture, and plenty of perlite. I am a fan of Farfard seedling mix from the farm supply.

I don't know the peat:lime ratio offhand, but remember that peat moss has a very low pH, as low as 4.5!!! :eek: so you will need to add lime to stabilize that, and then keep a close watch on your runoff numbers.

For micro nutes, your FoxFarms will contain micro nute ingredients but there are a couple products that you may find helpful for using as foliar spray supplements if you have any problems resulting in lockout/deficiency. Either the 'micro' from the general hydroponics 3-part, or a product called Algoflash are appropriate for this.

Superthrive is helpful for transplanting.

A sturdy plant sprayer bottle that holds a measured quart is SO SO SO helpful to have.
Some concentrated neem oil for fighting pests, fungus, and water loss is just a GREAT tool in your cabinet. You can find it at any garden center, especially one that caters to organic gardeners. Even Home DePOT carries a neem product called 'gardensafe fungicide 3'.

IF you don't feel like messing with a soil MIX for seedlings, those expandable peat puck things they sell for seedling starting in springtime work just fine.

Just be careful using peat moss. Prepare to have to raise your pH later on down the line at some point. pH up and down from the hydro shop will become a necessity. One way to minimize problems from this is to repot into FRESH soil frequently; you'll start in a small cup, puck, or nursery 6-pack, then go to a 3" pot, then a 6" pot, then a gallon, then 3 gallons, so that the roots always have fresh, light soil to explore. The problems with a peat based mix will start to appear after about 6-8 weeks after you have first 'wetted' the soil.
Good luck.

^^what she said :D

Thanks so much Stinky for the great info and tips. I hadn't really considered foliar feeding but it sounds like its a great way to feed. With your help I'm off to start a little forest in the closet now :D.

Potsy :smokin:

Foliar feeding is primarily a way to treat observed deficiencies.
You should not HAVE to foliar; the bulk of the plant's needs should be met by compounds present in the soil and liquid ferts, but it is a useful tool when you have a problem.

Thanks again for the help Stinky, can't thank people with your experience enough for helping a noob.

Potsy :jointsmile: