Grow Mediums Kindsoil Official Test Team Grow Battle

[Son of Hobbes]

are you using phosphoric acid to PH? it looks like you are.. second i get that it was successful and i don't ever want to detour growers from what works but i would not recommend to any growers to add kind soil anywhere near the seeding start area. our soil is very strong and generally can or will kill seedlings especially if too much kind soil is near the seed or even clones.

The only pot that had KS mixed anywhere near the seedling was my 2 gallon, and to be honest man, it actually did pretty well for what it was! I understand your warning though and in the future probably wouldn't try it, BUT, with my coco growing I start my seedling in pure coco and water at 1/4 strength nutes (non KS.) So for me, I just wanted to see if I could take the KS product and go pure coco with it to see if I could achieve results with it. Next time around I'll likely go with a light seedling mix to get it through until the taproot reaches.

Appreciate the feedback! I'm still damn impressed with what I've got for only using water

I know a few of you have stated that you dont like the Earthjuice Down Crystals, but you have not really stated WHY. Lets talk about what it is you dont like about it? Does it eventually climb back up on ya? What are the issues you all are having? @Son of Hobbes, didnt you have issues with it? Is it simply a product you arent used to?

I'm using Earthjuice Down crystals to pH the water. I'm starting to pick up on the curve for earth juice dry crystals, but I've only used General Hydroponic pH Down (again, DRY granules,) and I still prefer that to earth juice. Maybe just personal preference, but I feel like I have to CHASE the pH around a lot more with Earth Juice. With the GH pH down, it was one small fill of the small side of their including measuring cup and it perfectly pH'd my tap water every time. With the Earth Juice, it seems more like I have to babysit the smallest amounts to check. Will say this though, little goes a long ways comparatively! I guess my shock was more "aren't they all kind of the same?" Nope. I'm learning to use it though, and I damn well better because after this jug of crystals is gone, I bought a backup (before trying it) just in case I ran out. Durrrr.

 

[pop22]

Although your speculation has some truth to it, it doesn't seems as though thta's an issue normally, at least it hasn't been for me. I grow mostly organic. I use standard ph up, phosporic acid and sometimes lemon juice. Both work fine with my soil. And I've adopted a method a bit different from the norm ( imaginne that..lol ), I ph about .5 low then raise it to where I want with baking soda. It acts as a buffer and the ph of my water stays very stable. Before that, my ph'd water stored in jugs not maintain ph for more than a couple days.
And my organic plants never suffer ph issues. Not brag, simple fact. So why would it matter with Kind /Soil, unless its a specific component of their soil that reacts to phosphoric acid. This is why I asked for a more detailed explanation, because I'm still not buying the idea that only the crystalized acid is the only option. In fact, as a consumer, being told I could only use certain products with this soil would turn me off quick. many people would already have products that they use regularly and won't like the idea of spending more money on something they already have.

...KS mentioned before the addition of phosphoric acid causes chemical reactions that are undesirable, knocking the balance of the nute cycling (?), and it tends to be hard on the soil herd,... every acid will have a net effect that's similar for pH'ing, but each is chemically different (strength, reaction time, break down product), and it's as much about what the rest of the soil components, living included, does with the acid after it's been neutralized and changed into something else, as it is what the acid does to the soil, etc.,... always remember, biologically speaking, each form of acid is profoundly different from another, and therefore, how it interacts and reacts to and with the rest of the system.... I find vinegar (acetic acid) doesn't seem to have much lasting ooomph, if you will,... citrus/lemon has a couple different acids in it, mostly citric, which is Vit. C, right? --this has other metabolic actions on the plant, as a powerful antioxidant, and too much isn't good for the plant I believe... maybe KS knows specifically why it's not a good alternative,...

 

[pop22]

My little mutants...........lol! Both Ice Cool are mutants, and the bigger one seems even more so the the smaller one! Un-even branch placement, non symetrical placement around the stem, 5 point leaves growing near the bottom and 3 fingered leaves 2 nodes above!!! Crooked stem also. Yet it seems healthy.

THIS is what becomes of feminizing seed!

 

[Pops]

I have but one question for you all .. WHO WILL WIN THE BONG?

I will win the Bong!!

 

[Eyes on Fire]

ok well just as an FYI fellas, unless acids are on the heavy side its abput the living bit in the soil that cycle the foods and nutes. organic or non organic. so acids should play very little(unless there is as mentioned something thats reacting potentially) role unless its too much or any impurities in the water as well. @Waira bro, you need to read a book called adding biology by Elaine R. Ingham and Carloe Ann Rollins both PH.D. and it covers this in organic and non organic ways from foods,life and the action and bi producta of said things and how they react in living or non organic ways. its interesting.much PH unless water dictates in a bad way(watering being bad) you shouldnt have to do much of anything assuming all proper balance and life are present.ALL should read this book.small but packed full of info. EVERYONE reading this would benefit greatly in this book I promise. or my name aint uncle chuckles

 

[Eyes on Fire]

and BTW that bong shall be mine,I clean a spot for it on my shelf n all j/k

 

[Eyes on Fire]

 

[briman]

Looking like a trich factory in there Eyes!! Sweet coverage and your gals are looking good!

 

[Bromeo]

Here's a few shots from yesterday. The Devil Cream isn't doing so hot but the fantasmo is.

Devil Cream

Fantasmo

 

[briman]

Superb Bromeo! Fantasmo and Devil Cream are looking killer man! Just might be enough to smack the other fellas around a bit and end up with the trophy!! Going to be a hard one to win!! Remember, its going to be members choice like a BOM, so the more pics you take of your ladies, the bettter selection of the submitted picture for your final pic, may win this thing! Just so you all know.....I will be going germed seed to final pots tonight and I am now in this comp!! So it really wouldn't hurt my feelings to just keep that nice piece of glass here with me!!! Just kidding! I am running it for fun and a comparison. I will say, that as I was potting it up in 3 gallon grow bags, 2.5lbs. of Kindsoil and 2.5 gallons of medium just didnt fit! So, I went 2.5 lbs of Kindsoil and 2.25 gallons of Humboldt mix on top. Might be a bit hot, but hopefully wont run short on NPK in the soil for a good finish!