First time Soil

[GodBud]

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:

GodBud Reviewed by GodBud on 12-05-2008. 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 Rating: 5

[willonia]

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

[LolaGal]

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.

[GodBud]

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

[GodBud]

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

[LolaGal]

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

[GodBud]

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

[Dutch Pimp]

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..

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....it required too much thinking...:stoned:

[LolaGal]

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

Thanks dutch, learned a lot.

[GodBud]

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