Going Organic

[NamasteDaze]

Going to try organic living soil after 3 grows in coco/perlite and hoping for a little guidance. I want to simplify things and move away from fertigating and measuring EC/PH daily. My initial plan is to grow a total of 3 8-week autos in 19-liter pots.

Since this is my first attempt at a water only organic soil I wanted to keep it simple and thought I would use “Plant BoOom – Chicken Shit Living Soil” (link below to product and contents) to mix with Plagron RoyalMix. I am in the EU and do not have easy access to some items to make my own super soil, but that will be the plan in the future.

This mix should give me 50.75 liters of super soil to fill the bottom 1/3 of the pots. If I am using 3x19 liter pots, that will give me enough super soil for 2.6 grows. I was going to use Bio-Bizz Lite Mix to start the seedlings and then Plagron RoyalMix as my regular soil.

I will be picking up some Epsom salt and Molasses. The molasses I was thinking of using around week 6 until harvest. Epsom salt if needed.

1. Would 3 8-week autos fit in a 60x120cm tent and are 19L pots a good size for indoor grows?

2. Is there anything else I should have on hand? Worm castings as a general top dressing for the microbes should there be any deficiencies?

3. As I have had no issues with bugs growing in coco, are there any products I should have available? Neem cake as a preventative?

Appreciate any insights or feedback on this attempt at growing organic!


Plant BoOom – Chicken Shit Living Soil – Chili Worlds

89% animal by-products (dry chicken manure, category 2 according to Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009), plant substances from horticulture and landscaping, biochar, primary rock flour, algal lime, mycorrhiza (5.5x10^6 CFU/g), Trichoderma (1x10^7 CFU/g), humic acids, beneficial bacteria (1x10^8 CFU/g)
total nitrogen (N) 3.5%
total phosphate (P) 3.4%
total potassium oxide (K) 3.2%
Secondary constituents: 63% organic matter, 1.2% magnesium, 0.8% sulfur, 0.5% sodium

 

[Lil Dab]

2. Is there anything else I should have on hand? Worm castings as a general top dressing for the microbes should there be any deficiencies?

Worm castings and maybe some compost are both good things to have on hand growing organically. Only thing would be do those soils have fertilizer(s) they recommend top dressing with. I’ve grown a bunch of plants in coast of Maine TLS. They had a two different amendments to top dress 2-3 times through out the grow. I would add EWC and compost when I topdressed amendments

3. As I have had no issues with bugs growing in coco, are there any products I should have available? Neem cake as a preventative?

I know alot of guys use neem cake. I always have some sort of BTI on hand (mosquito bits or dunks or organic gnatrol) and spinosad have treated most all my issues. Nematodes are always good to add they are great way to be preventative

 

[NamasteDaze]

Worm castings and maybe some compost are both good things to have on hand growing organically. Only thing would be do those soils have fertilizer(s) they recommend top dressing with. I’ve grown a bunch of plants in coast of Maine TLS. They had a two different amendments to top dress 2-3 times through out the grow. I would add EWC and compost when I topdressed amendments





I know alot of guys use neem cake. I always have some sort of BTI on hand (mosquito bits or dunks or organic gnatrol) and spinosad have treated most all my issues. Nematodes are always good to add they are great way to be preventative

Appreciate the feedback and specific responses Lildab.
My list of items seems pretty complete. Looking forward to giving this a go!

 

[FullMoonparty]

Here's a tip from a beginner's mistakes.
When switching to organic "water only" method you should hide all of your bottles of nutrients somewhere where you're not tempted to use them. I've made matters much worse by feeding over/under watered plants.
I've killed them with "bloom boosters" and Calmag.

 

[NamasteDaze]

Here's a tip from a beginner's mistakes.
When switching to organic "water only" method you should hide all of your bottles of nutrients somewhere where you're not tempted to use them. I've made matters much worse by feeding over/under watered plants.
I've killed them with "bloom boosters" and Calmag.

Much appreciated! As I look for resources, I keep thinking I "need" a bottle for bloom. Awesome tip - thank you!

 

[FullMoonparty]

Much appreciated! As I look for resources, I keep thinking I "need" a bottle for bloom. Awesome tip - thank you!

I'm not saying the bloom stuff is no good. It's probably just abused or not needed in most cases.
Good worm castings, good drainage and good watering skills should get you by. Don't overthink it and have fun.

 

[FullMoonparty]

Much appreciated! As I look for resources, I keep thinking I "need" a bottle for bloom. Awesome tip - thank you!

Mulch appreciated.
I almost forgot something Key. A good Mulch layer. Lots of benefits such as moisture retention and keeping fungus gnats away. Most if not all organic growers use some type of mulch layer.
Rice hulls are often used but are costly and not easy to find. I switched to straw. I bought a bale of animal bedding straw at a farm supply store. Very cheap. It is straw that is cleaned and split. I use a generous layer after my seedlings are established. They also had pine shavings in a 2 cubic foot bag that might work too.

 

[Lil Dab]

Much appreciated! As I look for resources, I keep thinking I "need" a bottle for bloom. Awesome tip - thank you!

Look into teas you can make your own or buy stuff that you just mix and bubble. I’ve used Roots organics bloom and bloom booster teas in my organic grows with great success

 

[hecno]

@NamasteDaze Welcome to organic , Once you master growing organic it is very easy , I am in the process of moving , but I will keep eye on your post and once settled I will be more active .