advise on soil?

[Rusty Trichome]

Don't feel bad weez, I'm an MG hater too. And Rusty, I don't think it makes me lazy or stupid for not knowing how to use it.

For starters, I never called anyone stupid. But I would like to point-out that on one had you are saying you are a MG hater, but on the other hand you are saying you have no experience with it. Now I'm not saying that sounds stupid, but by talking out of your ass, you are not overwhelming us with your insight. Do you trust those that bullshit you?

Anyway, parroting others' bad info regarding any product or technique is, in my opinion, bordering on lazy (learn of which you speak...before you speak) and future info from these sources should likely be double-checked. If you fit this bill, so be it. Ok, great. You apparently heard and/or read that someone had problems with it. I have practical experience. Which do you think I'm inclined to trust?

As previously stated, I started learning all about cannabis and plant physiology while using Miracle Grow soils and Miracle Grow nutes. Does this make me a genius? No. It means I learned the facts before learning of the bullshit. It also means there was another gardener in another cannabis forum that was able to show me proper use through harvest. Plus, he also taught me to stand-up to those that spread bullshit, because unlearning bullshit is more difficult than learning the facts in the first place. I'm here returning the favor.

Easier to use...? No. But better than some mixes I've came across, and definatelly better than compost. Impossible to figure-out? Obviously not. There are two that know this, right here in this thread. Were MG cheaper than the soil I now use, likely I'd be using it now.

[Barrelhse]

I just went back to dirt after a couple of years playing with other methods. I'm having the best grow I've had in a long time. I'm using Fafard Premium Potting Soil. It has a few nutes, but it's mild. I don't feed at all until wk 6, when they seem to run out of the trace type nutrients, like cal, mag, phos. Usually just one or two feeds, they're usually just in12/12to flower at wk 5 or so. I've been using Jack's Plant Food; they make a 20-20-20, 15-30-15, and 10-30-20. I don't use much, 1/4 teaspoon per gal. when I do use it. Anyway, the results from the Fafard are impressive, and I've done quite a bit of dirt growing over the yrs (I'm 60). By the way, I'm paying $5.99 for a 16 qt bag, so I spend about $7.50-$9.00 each over the life of the plant.

[irydyum]

I guess seeing countless others go through their trials and tribulations right here on this website is what you term "talking out my ass". I have seen quite a few newer growers on here have trouble with MG because they don't know how to use it. Maybe you should put up a thread about how to use it properly instead of just swearing to us that it works? That would definitely clear up the whole "MG" debate.

Can we look at the facts as they apply to this thread for a second? Just someone looking for advice/opinions on soil choices, can't we just offer our opinions here and have the whole MG conversation somewhere else.

Shiloh- Sorry we got deviated from your objective here, and I'm doubly sorry that I offered my obviously "parroted" opinion. Best of luck with whatever you decide to grow with :thumbsup:

[deleafer2220]

Most "new" growers have problems with MG because it is notorious for burning plants if followed by box instructions and not given in a lower amount (ex. 1/4 recommended amount). This is simply what i have read on this forum in many threads. I say if you have MG nutes down pat then the more power to you :thumbsup:. For the original poster there is tons of threads on here about soil and different companies. Pick one and keep us updated :smokin:

[shiloh]

thank you much everyone for stopping by..and wow! this is not what im anticipated....im a noob here and also to growing as well...im looking into growing a nice crop..please state your recommendation on soil and why do you think its better..(from experience and knowledge) IRYDYUM: i agreed with you i think good soil does have play a big impact on your grow...i read on TRANOBLE's thread on his sealed room log..he mentioned about the soil he use "sunshine mix #4" was one of the soil he use with a great result but where im at they dont carry that type of soil...anywase what type of soil are you using? do you think i should just go with FF? its a lil expensive but i dont mind investing in it but preferbly cheaper tho i hope we all should get back to my lil question and tell me what type of soil you are using and result you are getting...im noob so the more problem i can eliminate the better even i have to pay a lil more...thanks...

[Shovelhandle]

I make my own.

start with a pro mix HP or similar base 25%
perlite 25%
peat moss 20%
pulverized lime -a little
vermiculite -a little
worm castings, guano, compost and/or composted manure for nutition. 25%

I will recycle the used soil by adding some biology (forest humus, beer, alfalfa) let it work for a month or more and use in place of the promix starter.

[Rusty Trichome]

Shiloh: Any potting mix you get, you will have to learn how to use. Almost any commercial mix, someone in here has tried, and can help you through the little details. Pick one that's not too chunky, not too fine. Don't use seedling mix or compost. Avoid pre-ferted if possible, but don't be afraid of MG if it's the only mix available.

I guess seeing countless others go through their trials and tribulations right here on this website is what you term "talking out my ass".

You can say that about almost any nutrient or medium ever mentioned on these forums. Yet you single-out MG. Why? Because you heard from other newbies that they couldn't adjust, and it's an easy target already stigmatized by folklore and sub-par gardening techniques?

But anyway...giving advise without prior knowledge of what you are speaking...is talking out of your ass. Have you ever used it to grow your cannabis, or do you just blindly attack shit you don't understand, with the rest of the 'clueless' crowd?

Show me the posts you are refering to. I have repeatedly had conversations with growers regarding the proper use and application of Miracle Grow, and the proper use of Miracle Grow soils.

How about you start a thread showing the evils of MG so we can truly see your experience level? So far all you've shown is that you do not need facts to get in the way of offering advise.

Did I ever say it's the best shit in the world, and everyomne should switch? No. But I stand by my statements, and if you can prove me wrong...go for it. A little warning though...I used it for a couple of years, and any evidence you present, should likely be valid. :jointsmile:

[headshake]

...i read on TRANOBLE's thread on his sealed room log..he mentioned about the soil he use "sunshine mix #4" was one of the soil he use with a great result but where im at they dont carry that type of soil...anywase what type of soil are you using? do you think i should just go with FF? its a lil expensive but i dont mind investing in it but preferbly cheaper tho ...thanks...

sunshine mix is soiless if i'm not mistaken.

go down to your local nursery and ASK their opinion. tell em you are growing tomatoes. they should be able to help you out. don't get caught up on the name of Fox Farms.

like rusty said, anything you choose to grow in you are going to have to LEARN how to grow in it. so no matter what we tell you is the best, YOU are still going to have to learn to grow in it.

depending on the size of your grow (ladies in flower, in veg, clones etc.) you are going to go through a bunch of soil. so $20-25 a bag will start to add up quick.

so again, find something local and cheap that works well.

the main things you want are good aeration and drainage (preferably without nutes).


come one rusty and irydyum, let's not push each other buttons. we need all the help, knowledge, experience and opinions we can get around here. i love both of you guys!


-shake

[irydyum]

Shake, I think it's retarded that my personal opinion is being attacked as if it's my character. I have always found Rusty to be a solid source of knowledge even if you have to have thick skin to handle the way it gets delivered to you at times.

Rusty that's cool if you used MG for years and had success with it. I'm not going to waste my time using MG just to prove that it's more difficult to adapt to than my current setup. WTF would that prove? All you would do is tell me that i'm doing everything wrong with it anyways, plus I'm not a fan of growing with synthetics. Hence the reason I wouldn't touch it. If you want to ride me out of here to prove that MG shouldn't be demonized, have at it. Again we are in a thread where a Noob asked for soil advice, I'm not in the business of suggesting how to adapt to every soil system when that wasn't the aim of the thread. I was here offering my opinion, and if you don't like my opinion, I don't care. You have already pointed out to everyone here that I'm not educated in my opinions, which I truly appreciate. I'm done with arguing to defend myself, dude will make his choice and it will likely have nothing to do with either of us since we chose to fight instead of collaborate.

This whole thing started because I said i'm an MG hater. Rusty, why do you give a shit if I don't like it? Where did I "blindly attack" MG? And furthermore, since when does your aptitude level with Miracle Grow indicate your experience level? I'm not here asking for help with soil. If you want to offer the MG way of growing, fantastic. I'm not going to stop you, or even argue with you. I would likely sit back and see how it works. I think you have me sorely mistaken with someone I'm not.

[shiloh]

Okay, this is what I will go with...foxfarm soil and GH3 (flora,micro,bloom) and growth excel from AN..what do you guy think? my clone is ready to be put down in the soil...should I start using the GH3 or wait a for a week or two. im looking to get the hight up to about 1.5" then flower. my goal is to get 2oz per plants...thanks