New at growing, have soil questions!

[brittanycamp]

Ok so my boyfriend and I are extremely new to growing and have done a lot of research and are trying to expand our knowledge everyday. As of right now we have seven early adolescent plants that are about four inches tall in this potting mix that was supposed to be mixed with regular soil [but we kind of missed that...]. We are about to transplant them into pots that have about a three-four gallon capacity and are in the process of setting up a permanent grow closet (about 9 ft high, 6 ft wide and 2 ft deep).

We went to Home Depot today and bought some soil and nutrients and were wondering if what we have is good or if we need to return to the store and exchange/return tomorrow. The soil we bought is Scotts Premium Potting Soil and the ingredients are as listed: Peat, Forest Products Compost, Sphagnum Peat, Perlite, A Wetting Agent, and Plant Food (containing .07% Nitrogen, .01% Phosphate, and .03% Soluble Potash. Before realizing that there was already Perlite and Sphagnum in it we bought a separate bag of each. Both of them are Miracle-Gro brand. The plant food we bought is Miracle-Gro water soluble All-Purpose Plant Food that has a Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potash ratio of 24:8:16.

The main question: Is the soil itself good enough or do we need to get better stuff or make our own mixture? We know that good soil is a key factor in growing good plants and although this is our first batch, a trial run, we want to get it right ASAP so our future batches will turn out GREAT!:thumbsup:

brittanycamp Reviewed by brittanycamp on 05-23-2008. New at growing, have soil questions! Ok so my boyfriend and I are extremely new to growing and have done a lot of research and are trying to expand our knowledge everyday. As of right now we have seven early adolescent plants that are about four inches tall in this potting mix that was supposed to be mixed with regular soil . We are about to transplant them into pots that have about a three-four gallon capacity and are in the process of setting up a permanent grow closet (about 9 ft high, 6 ft wide and 2 ft deep). We went to Rating: 5

[anbesol]

First. Never go to Home Depot for your plants. That soil you got should be returned, if you want to do things right, get Foxfarm soil or any high end soil from any hydroponic store. And throw the miracle grow out. When i first started growing i used miracle grow and it burned my plants and kept them stunted. Try General Hydroponics fert. its great for soil.

Good Luck To You!! I really hope you and your boyfriend grow great bud!

I spent so much money on the wrong stuff...and its a pain in the ass having extra shit laying around.

There was a poster on this forum that had the signature "You go cheap, You grow cheap".

[in.music.u.trust]

Thanks, we kinda had a feeling that it wasn't quite right and that HD wasn't the best place to go when we saw their terrible selection. We know we got off to a terrible start and really want to change it immediately(we know some most likely wont make it). We are going to put pics up in a few, any advice would be greatly appreciated. As i said we know they aren't doing good and want to change that immediately.

Thanks!

[brittanycamp]

Ok so here are some pics of our plants. Two are not doing well at all, and I think it may be that I was overwatering them early on [root rotting?]. Three others are doing very well though! Going to post more pics in another reply.

[brittanycamp]

Any imput would be awesome!! Were making a hydroponics store run later today after work to get all those goods!

[the image reaper]

do NOT use 'peat' or 'peatmoss' products, it is way too acidic for cannabis plants ... be aware, almost every soil you will buy, has peat in it, anyway :wtf: ... just don't add any more to it ... good luck :jointsmile:

[anbesol]

Those plants look like they are burned or have lack of nitrogen. common in using miracle grow. If you cant afford real cannabis fertalizer, just go with premium soil, you can even order it online, it may be a bit expensive, but you will solve a ton of headaches!

[brittanycamp]

Alright well later me and my boyfriend are taking a trip to the store and were gunna try and buy premium soil [Foxfarm if they have it] that DOES NOT conatin anything peat-like and then cannabis fertilizer if they have it otherwise well pick up the General Hydroponics Fert.

Thanks SOO much for the help guys!! We'll probably be posting in the FAQ section from now on with any questions.

[brittanycamp]

Oh, btw do you know of any really simple solution to neutralize the pH if the soil becomes too acidic? And what are the best kind of soil pH tests? We saw some that were in pill form and you do something with the powder in the capsules to test it. Are those good or are just regular pH test strips fine too?

[PlantHeadJ]

What the hell is cannabis fert?!?!?! Please don't confuse people. You want people going to hydro stores asking for cannabis fert?!?! And what's wrong with peat? Anyway when you go to the hydro store get yourself some fox farm soil and fox farm nutrients. You can go@gle the fox farm feeding schedule and follow that to a T and you will have good luck. Also try to plant plants so that they are at the top of the planter. When they are down deep in the cups the crown of the plant does not get enough airflow. As far as Ph goes get yourself a Ph control kit by General Hydro or something similiar. Ph up and down will be the best way for you to get started with balancing your Ph to 6.5-6.8. Good Luck and read as much of this site as you can!