Different soil

[PinkyNotTheBrain]

Hey AFN newbie here and just wanted to thank everyone from this site for the help again before I start.
So im on my 3rd grow and after an accident( tipping over the table) i found myself needing more soil and couldn't find coast of Maine so im going with ocean forest. With the COM platinum i just used water and when i transferred them i added some soil/ compost from my veggie garden for filler and the same organic feed i give my raspberries once a year. Ive read over the suggested fox farm guide but im wondering if they're is something I can do without buying more stuff. So i guess my question is does this sound like a good method or what should I be doing different ?

 

[Talonxracer]

I have had issues with Ocean Forest being too hot and causing nuteburn with autos. But 's Happy Frog is just about perfect IMHO.

 

[Dankerson]

I've used OF from the beginning of starting to grow and I've never had any issues. I currently still use it. I plant my seeds directly to soil and I've never had nute burn issues or anything at all from the soil aside from me overwatering it. I cut mine with 25% perlite to increase drainage but that's it. Plants can thrive in it with pH'd water of about 6.4-6.6 for about 3-5 weeks depending usually 4.

As far as top dressing I've heard of people forgoing the bottle nutes and just top dressing with more OF so if you have a top dress blend already that has a good NPK ratio you should be set. There's always a bit of trial and error though on a new setup so I would watch closely for a few weeks for signs of deficiency or burns after you topdress.

 

[PinkyNotTheBrain]

I've used OF from the beginning of starting to grow and I've never had any issues. I currently still use it. I plant my seeds directly to soil and I've never had nute burn issues or anything at all from the soil aside from me overwatering it. I cut mine with 25% perlite to increase drainage but that's it. Plants can thrive in it with pH'd water of about 6.4-6.6 for about 3-5 weeks depending usually 4.

As far as top dressing I've heard of people forgoing the bottle nutes and just top dressing with more OF so if you have a top dress blend already that has a good NPK ratio you should be set. There's always a bit of trial and error though on a new setup so I would watch closely for a few weeks for signs of deficiency or burns after you topdress.

Excellent thanks a bunch. One thing i have noticed is that its very different with watering the ocean forest has to be watered much more slowly compared to COM to avoid it becoming hydrophobic

 

[Dankerson]

Excellent thanks a bunch. One thing i have noticed is that its very different with watering the ocean forest has to be watered much more slowly compared to COM to avoid it becoming hydrophobic

Yeah I know what you mean. I add in yucca to my water and since I've started doing it helps being able to water a bit quicker and makes sure there aren't any dry spots.

 

[PinkyNotTheBrain]

Yeah I know what you mean. I add in yucca to my water and since I've started doing it helps being able to water a bit quicker and makes sure there aren't any dry spots.

Hmmm interesting. Any thing to watch out for when buying?

 

[Dankerson]

Hmmm interesting. Any thing to watch out for when buying?

I've heard of quality control issues but I haven't experienced it personally and I'm in the states. Ive ordered bags from Amazon and Walmart and they come from all over the county.

I pour it into plastic tubs and mix in the perlite then cover it and leave it there till I use it. If it's a long period I'll water it some so it doesn't dry out but that's it. Only minor issue I've had was on my first run I had a few fungus gnats but that's just a risk with organic soils. Since Ive learned to water properly I haven't had the gnats problem at all.

 

[PinkyNotTheBrain]

I've heard of quality control issues but I haven't experienced it personally and I'm in the states. Ive ordered bags from Amazon and Walmart and they come from all over the county.

I pour it into plastic tubs and mix in the perlite then cover it and leave it there till I use it. If it's a long period I'll water it some so it doesn't dry out but that's it. Only minor issue I've had was on my first run I had a few fungus gnats but that's just a risk with organic soils. Since Ive learned to water properly I haven't had the gnats problem at all.

Ok because i see the bags of the roots? I guess that's what they are and bundles of the leaves at the bodegas sometimes should I just buy that?

 

[Dankerson]

Ok because i see the bags of the roots? I guess that's what they are and bundles of the leaves at the bodegas sometimes should I just buy that?

Sorry I can't say I've had experience with that so I can't say if that is the same or not. Someone else might have and could tell you though