I’m not sure if this is the right place to post, as I’m new here, but I’d really appreciate some feedback on my soil recipe for my next run.
So far, I’ve been using synthetic nutrients, but I’d like to try an organic run next time. I’m planning to make the soil myself, so I’d love to get your opinions on the recipe I’ve put together.
Welcome to the AFN…I don’t have a lot of experience with building soil, but there are lots here that do. I’m sure someone will jump in with experience. I have gravitated to growing in coco myself. Your recipe looks like a good mix, off to a good start I would say.
Im more of a soil guy. What you have there is a hybrid mix closer to coco and hydro. I also dont have exact knowledge of your products but on the surface it looks good. @Dankstyle-J is our resident organic coco expert that might be able to help more.
No Don’t do that. You might be ok to run 60% Peat 20% coco but really why are you trying to reinvent the wheel? Too much coco will make it nearly impossible to keep nutrient balance because you are stuck between soil and hydro. Don’t forget coco is hydro.
If you really want to make a good blend of organic inputs for Autoflowers start with 80% peat 20% coco or perlite then add this to your basic mix at 2 tablespoons per gallon of base mix.
The green numbers are in pounds for a small batch. Mix this well and water for a week before planting. Use a 7 gallon pot for each plant and this will give you a water only grow.
Thanks a lot for your feedback. I think I’m not going to overthink it and just go with Gold Label Light Mix and add my vegan fertilizer to it. I’m not a fan of animal-based meals.
I was under the impression that EWC tends to acidify the substrate, and since peat is already acidic, I’m wondering whether adding 30% EWC could make the substrate too acidic.
At the moment, I have a Granite Haze growing in BioBizz Light-Mix. The funny thing is, I’m using a 20 L Geotextile pot, and I didn’t have enough of the 20 L BioBizz bag, so I added around 20% coco. I also had some 6–10 mm pumice left over, which I added in a very small amount, maybe around 10%.
I’m doing a Mephisto-style grow using the BioBizz nutrient range on an AC Infinity self watering base It’s my first time trying this style.
I also have an F6 in a 3.9-gallon AutoPot system, but I think I’ve run into several issues.
There’s probably too much 6–10 mm pumice for a pot this size, and it’s a leftover substrate from an outdoor test I did using 50% peat and 50% vermiculite, so the substrate itself isn’t ideal. There’s simply too much pumice in the mix imo.
I tried to induce a dryback by shutting off the reservoir, but I quickly ended up with nutrient burn. I also broke a branch, and it looks a bit weird now.
I also messed up the germination a bit.
I’m using Athena Pro with RO water, at 1.8 EC from start to finish.
It happens fairly gradually and if the rest of the soil is built for it there arent issues, at least for me up until this point. You did go with the highest number that I admitted to only eyeballing. My base is gaia green living soil and Ive recently been heavily amending it. Everything about this hobby has so many variables and connections its hard to say this or that. My one consist piece of advice is if its working in your environment then it aint wrong.
I shoot for 30% pumice. 3/8". Not the expert but I dont think you can have too much aeration in autopots. The roots always have access to feed at the bottom. If anything the top is acting like a lung Id think.
Havent used athena yet but my hydro grows start around 2ec and can push 3ec at times.
I’m going to update my setup. I had a 3x3 Mars Hydro, but it’s done. Five years isn’t too bad for Mars Hydro
I was originally going to get the AC Infinity 4x2, but I went for Spider Farmer’s new Pro series. Hopefully I won’t regret it… The price was good, it has 22 mm poles, and a large viewing window.
For the 3x3, I have the FC3000 EVO. Really good light. A friend lent me a 2x2, so I put my FC3000 in it but two Granite Haze plants in a 60×60 cm tent isn’t exactly smart
For the new light, I didn’t go for the SF G4500 because I felt it didn’t have enough blue/white in the spectrum for the vegetative stage. I also considered getting two SanLight EVO 3-60s, which would have made it easier to adjust the height of each light independently, since I only grow two plants per run.
My choice is the Grandmaster Tarantula Ultimate 4x2. America baby (I m Euro btw).
I’m not surprised. I’ve grown a Dutch auto at 3 EC using Athena with absolutely no issues. Their nitrogen is different. With a photoperiod, I’ve already gone up to 4 EC. I’ve even had a runoff EC of 10 on a photoperiod without any signs of nutrient burn — perfectly healthy and thriving.
I love Athena. And I agree with you, you have to find the style that works best for your environment. There are so many different ways to grow.
I have a full 5x5 setup from spider farmer. Like all the things for full control but their customer service sucks. Had some clip fans fail on me and I dont have much to compare to but theyve been okay products.
I run quite a bit of coco with peat perlite a many different amendments.I couldn’t give an exact number because my living coco is over 6 years old I don’t change it ever .I use worm castings but in small amounts my living coco makes its own so castings are only needed to establish worm colonies.I use mostly down to earth amendments they are local to my area .I could literally write a book on living coco so ask away check out my thread and if you want to see living coco flowers I got those to in pics showing the results!!Welcome to afn
Thanks for the reply. I actually looked at your photos yesterday. From what I’ve heard, apparently this organic vegan fertilizer works really well in coco. If you have time, take a look at the ingredients—it seems pretty solid to me.
(I m Euro btw).
Had some clip fans fail on me and I dont have much to compare to but theyve been okay products.
colonies.I use mostly down to earth amendments they are local to my area .I could literally write a book on living coco so ask away check out my thread and if you want to see living coco flowers I got those to in pics showing the results!!Welcome to afn