First time Soil

Folks,

My previous 2 grows have been Hydro with great success. I am going to try soil this time. In a 5 gallon bucket I have filled it a little more than 3/4 with Promix BX. It has all the medium necessary except nutrients. I bought some blood meal for Nitrogen. I just sprouted a Great White Shark bean and it looks good so far. I am uncertain as to how to apply the blood meal and when to start. Directions state to sprinkle it on top and water so I suppose that would be what to do but how much? Or can I put some in a bottle and add water and shake and poor? Any advice would be great. Also as the plant grows and requires other nutes what is a good application for soil brand and how to apply it. I appreciate any comments!

Peace :stoned:

When I did soil, I always used a liquid organic fertilizer and mixed it with water.

From MGH by Ed Rosenthal: Growers who make their own nutrient mixes based on parts per million of nutrient generally use the following formulas:

germ - 15 to 20 days: N 110-150 P 70-100 K 50-75
Fast Growth: N200-250, P60-80, K 150-200
Pre-Flowering: N70-100, P 100-150, K 75-100
Flowering: N 0-50, P100-150, K 50-75
Seeding - fertilized flowers: N100-200, P 70-100, K 100-150

Organic growers can make "teas" from organic nutrients by soaking them in water. Manures and blood meal are among the most popular organic teas.

Bloodmeal NPK is 15-1.3-.7 and releases nutrients easily.

From LolaGal: Hope this helps some, couldn't find the directions on how much per gallon, I would guess 1 TBsp per gallon if you don't use the PPM chart above.

I will probably do the tea method with the blood meal 1 tbs to a gal. What about other organic nutes for the rest the stages of the plant that I can make tea with and just apply it that way?

thanks

Also, I read that the promix has a buffer added that in time diminishes and repotting into new soil rejuvinates the buffer. Is repotting the only way to do this or can you get some lime and mix it with water and apply it that way to keep the Ph in check? I have a 5 gal bucket filled 3/4 with promix bx and I started my seed right in that. Should I scoop it out and put it in a container about 4" to 6" wide then after 4 weeks or so transplant into a container twice that size then after another 4 weeks transplant into the 5 gal bucket? Does that sound right? I think I read that during a cycle you should expect to transplant 2 times. I am just wondering what size containers and how long between transplants I should expect.

Thanks

My babies are 13 days old and have already been transplanted once! Since I am no expert, I will have to let others chime in with answers to your other questions. I have learned a lot from reading Marijuana Grower's Handbook, The Indoor High Yield Guide by Ed Rosenthal. My copy is dog-eared from reading over and over.

My reasearch indicates that it is better to start in small pots and get rootbound, then transplant up. However, since yours are already in the 5 gallon pots, I doubt I would move them. Make sure there are lots of drain holes.

There was a post by Nickolaus (sp?) yesterday that had a good ph, soil link posted by StinkyAttic that discusses your PROmix situation. Try finding it by going to Stinky's posts.

Good luck

Yeah I read her post. She states to do the transplant method to keep the good soil around the root ball. But mine is planted already in the 5 gal bucket. But if needed I bet I could scoop it out without harming the taproot I mean its 8 days since I put it in the medium. There cant be that many roots.

Anybody with their 2 cents please chime in!

Peace

1. I germinate seeds in 16 oz plastic cups. (don't use clear cups) Two cups, actually! I take a cup and cut the bottom out, plus I cut up the side ALL the way. Then, I put that cup inside another cup with holes in the bottom for good drainage. A small pot like this, makes it easier to maintain the correct moisture level. No nutes first 1-2 weeks. When the roots start growing out of the bottom drain holes?...time to transplant into 6 inch pots. ( it's EASY and stress-free to slide the inner-cup out of the outside cup for transplant) Repeat, into 8 inch pots, when roots grow out the drain holes. This creates a very compact root system. This usually all occurs during the first 30 veg cycle days. 18/6, 20/4 or 24/0 all seem to work well: growers choice...:thumbsup: (20-30% perlite added)

2. I usually switch to 12/12 flowering cycle after 30 days, or sooner if female pre-flowers show. Once the plants show their sex; I transplant into 10 inch pots for flowering/harvest and toss the males..:cool:

3. The veg cycle is about growing strong/compact root systems. IMO. If you FIM or trim during veg cycle?... allow extra time for the plants to heal.

4. The main problem with starting plants in large containers?...you never know what the root system is doing???...and you have moisture control problems and the soil gets 'tired' and PH goes all to hell.

5. I hope somebody reads all this..:D..it required too much thinking...:stoned:

Must spread rep around before giving to Dutch Pimp again........

Thanks dutch, learned a lot.

WORD

Great insight. I feel I can take the seedling out without harm
and start with a net pot 6" monitor the roots and proceed
accordingly. What about feed for the plants stages beyond 4
weeks?

Peace

net pot? I don't remember anybody advising you to use one of those. Observe the roots when transplanting, otherwise leave em alone!

I don't know what a net pot is? I was talking about standard plant pots with extra holes drilled in the bottom....and no drip pans; without a spacer added. ALL excess moisture must drain away.

I use 10-52-10 bloom nutes for flowering. 1/4 strenght mixed with water. I don't feed until near starvation.

DP,

So 10" pots are plenty sufficient for root space to final harvest?

Peace

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GodBud

DP,

So 10" pots are plenty sufficient for root space to final harvest?

Peace

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Works for me....:thumbsup:...anything bigger, takes up too much floor space. I only have a 400 watt HID light. (3x3 footprint)

You never did say what size light you had?

Right on DP

I just scooped the seedling out of the 5 gal bucket and put it in a solo cup like you do.

So when I see the roots poking out the outer cup or I guess I can just lift it out and see if roots are present at the bottom either way I then will put into the 6" pot. Now when you do this how much medium are you putting in the pot before placing the plant into it. At this point are you placing the whole solo cup with the bottom cut out into the 6"pot or does the solo cup get tossed at this point?

Also are you using your HID light the whole time from seedling. Right now I have a floro on mine very mellow light discharge but its only been popped out of the medium for like 3 days but it is growing rapidly so thats a good thing. :thumbsup: You think I should kick up the light at this point. I too have a 400 W HID light interchangeable MH/HPS!

Peace

1. Taking the plant out of the 16 oz cup..(throw the cup away)... put the plant into a 6 inch pot and add as much soil as possible.

2. I have used my 400 watt HPS Hortilux for seedlings. And have used T-12 floro tubes too...for the first 2 weeks. No difference for me. I grow roots first.

DP

Appreciate the rapid responses :thumbsup:

So when you see the roots on the bottom of the 6" pot what is your process of removing it to go into the 8" pot. Do you just loosen the soil around the edges and pull gently at the base of the stock and it all slides out? I am thinking that at this point the roots are binding together with the medium pretty solid and compact is that the case? Does the plant get shocked in any way, do any of the roots tear? Do you always give it a healthy watering right after the transplant? Sorry for all the questions but I just want to do the right thing. Since you seem to be pretty good with soil I am riding my first soil grow on your advice.

Peace

It slides out of the 6 inch pot, easy...cause the root system is compact...can't hardly see the soil because of the roots....:thumbsup:...same with 8 to 10 inch.

flip it upside down and pull it out...don't fiddlefuck around...do it quick. Put the root ball into a new, bigger pot with fresh soil added.

I like a weak dose of root stimulator and water when finished, too. Zero shock, if done right.

DP

You fuckin rock man :thumbsup:

A plants vitality and its yield is all about the roots! I appreciate your input!

This is going to be a kick ass ride with the Great White Shark!

Peace :stoned: