soil ...??? where to start

[Notrealname]

Are the plants going to be potted? If so, very easy to check the pH of the run off. Your water will have a huge impact on the pH. What works for one person may not work for you. Fox Farm is very popular. Don't pack (compress) the soil. With time all that airy space will be taken up by roots. If doing it outdoors, keep track of the season and lighting. Be prepared to contend with bugs.

Get a few books, Jorge Cervantes is popular... money spent on books will save you $$$ later. Above all learn your local laws and be prepared for cops and criminals. Soil is more forgiving than other methods, but it will take a fair amount of your time.

[Token LaRoche]

We have a small feed an seed store like 20 miles from my house but its small I guess ill have to give them a try for my soil mix

Before I discovered the local place, I was buying everything on Amazon (and seriously, I live in a big metro area, so there's no excuse). You can outfit a large pot plantation via Amazon -- it's all there but the seeds. And a lot of the Amazon sellers are small local shops (just not local to me).

Soil is a bit of a problem mail order cuz of the weight. I'm growing in Coco Coir and a big brick of that (5 Kg?) usually sells for about $12. It's more like $25 on Amazon because of the shipping. Locally, I can get it for $12 + tax, but not at the big box places because they don't sell it.

Ya do what ya gotta do...

[Token LaRoche]

Oh, and if you go with the Fox Farms nutes, be real careful. Because I'm growing in coco + perlite, I use their hydroponic schedule (there is zero food in my "soil"). Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. I've been mixing it half strength for the entire grow after an early scare with some burn. The FF stuff is strong and if you use their schedule as-is, you'll probably kill your plants.

[thomas2681]

Oh, and if you go with the Fox Farms nutes, be real careful. Because I'm growing in coco + perlite, I use their hydroponic schedule (there is zero food in my "soil"). Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. I've been mixing it half strength for the entire grow after an early scare with some burn. The FF stuff is strong and if you use their schedule as-is, you'll probably kill your plants.

Thanks tor all the info I'm probably going with ff after seeding

[Shovelhandle]

I agree, most nutrients are pretty strong at the recommended dosage. That said, I'm a little heavy handed when I pour anything. I just try to use it less often.

[Token LaRoche]

I agree, most nutrients are pretty strong at the recommended dosage. That said, I'm a little heavy handed when I pour anything. I just try to use it less often.

I haven't mixed anything but half strength (total noob, tho) on the FF nutes and am thinking for the next round I might mix an even lower (third?) strength so I can use it more of the time. Not sure if that will make a difference. In the last month, I've done 5 real feedings, 3 waterings and one flush. Flush was on the schedule, not because of problems.

My huge assumption is that when I see "burn" on healthy leaves, I automatically assume that I've overfed the plants, so I back down on the food. Never sure if I'm right.

[Shovelhandle]

I water-water-feed. That's usually every three days a watering/feed. I believe you'll have better tasting product if the plants never get overfed/burned tips. I am using Age Old Bloom, an organic nutrient solution and I use it 100% as directed with no burn. I'm in week six tomorrow so I'm done feeding, just water.