Printable View
Whats up everyone? Quick question. I was doing some reasearch on soil on the Web, and alot of people say that Pro-Mix Bx is the best soil to use. So i called my local hydroponics store and asked if they carried this. They didn't, but they also spoke not too highly on it, and suggested that Fox Farm's Ocean Forest blows it out of the Water because of the fert's already in the soil...like worm castings, bat guano...etc.
What do you pro's think?
Good stuff, but expensive. I suggest you add another 30% perlite and 10-15% vermicilite. This will increase oxygen to the roots and slow soil compaction. Also the vermicilite will increase water retention and reduce watering labor.
Though it has nutes, this does not mean you dont apply nutes with waterings. Water with plain RO water for 2 weeks, then apply your bloom nutes. Generally before the bloom transplant, the soil contains enough nutes for the veg phase, though you may add some N depending on your experience with the strain. But be careful playing with N, as it is easy to toxify your plant with excess N. Incase of N overdose (extremely dark green, bordering on black), flush for a week, as N is mobile and the plant will feed off the excess stored in its tissues.
I love FF Ocean Forest Soil! I mix it up 2 parts soil to 1 part perlite. I used it in my last grow and the plants (bagseed, 1st grow) thrived in it. I didn't need to add any additional ferts through veg (save $$) and supplemented with only PureBlend Bloom in flowering every other watering. I had no pH issues at all with this soil and I water with tap water. IMHO it is worth every penny! It's great stuff for establishing a healthy and productive root system.
Happy growing!
not my ?.....but was curious on how FF ocean forest performs... the more information on better soils would be greatly appreciated!
I got some Ocean Forest the other day from the nursery where one of my gurus works. I saw it different places on the web for $21.99 for a 1 cu. ft. bag but in person it was only $15.99 for a 1.5 cu. ft. bag. I don't personally know how good it is yet, but they have a hard time keeping it on the shelves. There were 2 other people besides myself buying some when I was there.
I just picked some up last night I'm going to use it for transplanting and top coating my current plants then use only it from now on. i've heard too many good things to not use it especialy since i want to stay organic.
You're getting a lot of good information on Foxfarm Ocean Forest Soil Mix....
Give a look at their site FoxFarm Fertilizers
All of the additives are added for a great balanced soil......
Some say it's too hot for seedlings and transplants straight to soil, but Ive had success with both and gardens from germination to harvest.
I tweak my soil after transplants now with a few additives, but the strains I use can handle that.
...as a basic blend
.....I use it 3;1 with perlite and a small amount of vermiculite.
It's a great soil and one of the best....a bit pricey but great.
They also have a red bag that's outstanding for starting seeds too.
Fox Farm Ocean Forest is probably the top soil out there, but I think it is killing my seedlings ... I have NEVER (in 40+ years), had seeds and young seedlings burn up like this, (have used absolutely zero nutes), and the soil is the ONLY difference this time around (I added about 30% washed, coarse sand) ... I will continue to use it for more mature plants, but never again for seedlings ... :smokin:
I have herd of it being a little too strong for seedlings as well. I am surprised that the FF was Compared to the Promix since one is a soilless bass. But ya, people love that Ocean Forest and it can be used with the FF additive packs with good results I have herd, but remember the FF additives can be strong for some nutes, but still many work up to full strength with no problem. I would use it, but I can't find it in my city.
Adieu
I have only used Ocean Forest soil. I use it for every stage of the plant except germination (I use the little spongy plugs for that, had good luck with those). I have five seedlings in Ocean Forest now and they're doing fine. I would not doubt that there are some sensitive strains that might not like it at the seedling stage, but White Rhino, AK-48, Blue Mystic and Durban Poison x Skunk don't have any probs with it. I don't give 'em tons of nutes (if any) in veg because the soil alone seems fine for the first month or two.
All-in-all, I can hardly imagine using anything else, it's been that good for me. But don't take anyone's word for it: try it out and see for yourself.
yesterday, I started a couple more White Widow seeds in it, but this time, I added more perlite, and a bit of dolomite lime, to hopefully buffer it a bit ... the guy at the nursery said he suspected the Ocean Forest may be a bit too rich for young seedlings, also ... I'll be glad to get this sorted out, as I've lost some valuable seeds these last few weeks ... after years of trouble-free growing, I guess it's just my turn in the barrel ... Murphy's Law ... :smokin:
Reaper,
I have been using this for my vegetables I grow on my deck...I have beed advised to do a full water/flush several times before putting anything in this medium...its way too "hot" to just start them out in...I noticed a difference after doing this trick...Good luck...
:thumbsup:
thanks for that info ... I had flushed my other babies a couple days ago, and I see today, they are perking up, finally ... (and to think of all the plants that sprung up from my ashtray's burnt seeds being thrown into the yard) ... :D
You are welcome I'm sure....I lost several plants with this soil over the winter as I was over watering them...it was not a pretty picture...Worst part was they were seeds I'd been saving since the 70s...only ones that were viable now theyre gone....:(
hey the ocean forest is great,but it works best with fox farm light warrior.it's more of a high yield soil very light breathes excellent.my garden loves the mixture.it's worth the money for sure.