Live Stoner Chat Hello from middle of nowhere Illinois

[AutoWonders]

As for the oyster shell comment... What do you mean? I want any criticism or suggestions, I can take it like a big kid

Merely referring to led lights and how they can suck up cal. I use a liquid calmag and there have been a few times that I had to double the amount.

 

[Illini4life]

Merely referring to led lights and how they can suck up cal. I use a liquid calmag and there have been a few times that I had to double the amount.

I have botnicare calmag+ for my calmag needs. I am curious as to when I need to start feeding calmag. Interestingly enough that's one of the nutes that seems to get overlooked or just brushed to the side sometimes in conversation. I don't know what calmag is doing for my plants nor when I need to use it. I wasn't planning on feeding any nutes for the first 2 or 3 weeks because ffof is really hot soil and partially why I cut the concentration down with happy frog. Any noob suggestions to get off to a good start are much appreciated!

If waiting 2-3 weeks to feed is not a good idea let me know and what strength dose of which part of trio to use and I'll go all for it. I want her to grow but I would rather be cautious instead of burning first babies

 

[AutoWonders]

Since you cut Ocean Forest with both Happy Frog and perlite you might get away with a small dose of Grow Big. I used to grow in Ocean Forest/Perlite 50/50 and most of the time waiting for the basic three to four weeks standard before introducing nutes was fine. Maybe start with a little less than the 1/4 amount of Grow Bigs published amount. But allow the plant to establish a bit first.
When you begin the paper towel method, don't soak the paper towel. You want the tap root to kind of crawl and scratch it's way to the moistness. Too much water is a hazard for germinating with the paper towel method.

 

[Illini4life]

Since you cut Ocean Forest with both Happy Frog and perlite you might get away with a small dose of Grow Big. I used to grow in Ocean Forest/Perlite 50/50 and most of the time waiting for the basic three to four weeks standard before introducing nutes was fine. Maybe start with a little less than the 1/4 amount of Grow Bigs published amount. But allow the plant to establish a bit first.
When you begin the paper towel method, don't soak the paper towel. You want the tap root to kind of crawl and scratch it's way to the moistness. Too much water is a hazard for germinating with the paper towel method.

What was your results going 50/50 with ocean forest and perlite? I have an abundance of both atm. As for the paper towel method I literally practiced over and over with bag seed and germination so I think I have it down pat. It's damp but it will never drip. I just check and add like a quarter shot of water if needed after a day or so

 

[Boognelson87]

Welcome, I also am an illini fan. Brother just graduated there. good job adding that buffer. Had a heck of a time with first couple plants going ocean forest and happy frog with ph run off. Was getting run off of about 4.0-5.0 about 5 weeks in couldn't really fix it in enough time plants suffered end quality. I-L-L

 

[Illini4life]

Welcome, I also am an illini fan. Brother just graduated there. good job adding that buffer. Had a heck of a time with first couple plants going ocean forest and happy frog with ph run off. Was getting run off of about 4.0-5.0 about 5 weeks in couldn't really fix it in enough time plants suffered end quality. I-L-L

....I-N-I!!!
Good for your brother this is a great school! I am currently a master's student here at the U of I working my way to doctorate soon enough....


Yes see this is what my research turned out literally everywhere. Everyone recommends dolmite lime but I don't think that the extra magnesium in that ratio, I believe it's 3:1 calcium carbonate: magnesium carbonate, is good for your plants. I have done research and you are wanting something more like 8:1 calcium carbonate: magnesium carbonate. Which is actually closer to calcitic lime. Which makes sense because the active buffer when liming is the calcium carbonate. I have read too many horror stories of people getting rock hard soil from too much magnesium. So I chose to go the oyster shell route, which is the original buffer in ocean forest btw, and dirt cheap. I got 6 pounds from Amazon for like $10 I believe. I will keep you posted when my seeds pop and we get going. It will be about a month or so til I will be able to let you know if my buffer did the trick. I was planning on every 3-4 weeks mixing one tbsp per gallon of water and feeding with this to refresh the buffer in the soil. I am hoping to avoid the horror stories from fox farms stuff. Next go I am going to go with a basic soil like black gold so that I can feed from the beginning and make sure I am giving the plants what they need. This is my first grow so I just went off recommendations from the hydro store but they obviously just want to move their more expensive stuff so I feel I was very misinformed. Well what can you do but try to make the best of it and I hope it all pans out!

 

[Boognelson87]

One thing I noticed with the fox farm soil. (Coulda been strains I used) but they needed veg nutes and cal/mag around 3 weeks. One plant I didn't feed and it had deficiencies day 24.

 

[Illini4life]

One thing I noticed with the fox farm soil. (Coulda been strains I used) but they needed veg nutes and cal/mag around 3 weeks. One plant I didn't feed and it had deficiencies day 24.

Thanks for that heads up. That was my target for feeding anyways so I will keep an eye on them closely around that 21 day mark. So to make sure we are on the same page with time line.... Is it 21 days from seed planting, or 21 days from first leaf set?

Edit does the big bloom really come into play at all? I have the trio but did you ever really use it? It's not the bloom nutes as the name would imply and I'm sure you know if you have used these before. I have the tiger bloom for flowering

 

[bushmasterar15]

Hello @Illini4life and welcome to AFN

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

hi and @Illini4life and to autos
been lurking for some time or first day here ? im archie gemmill your butlins blue coat hi de high site rep a few things well worth a read.

Site Terms Of Use
regardless if you read them or no no shut up archie
some led's seem to suck cal and mag from the plants for some reason or for some reason led growers complain of cal/mag more than other growers
soils.i like real soil as a medium,but a real weak soil like biobizz lightmix.im pretty fond of perlite and a lil vermiculight to 4:2:1 mix.i do live in a cool climate would probably dry out way to quick for a place grower.
good luck n keep er lit