Making organic soil for first auto grow

[CALEB]

I'm in flowering of my first grow and planning my next grow and doing organic soil and trying to get it all planned and wanted some input. I've put together a list and wanted to get some feedback.


I will be growing in 5 gallons buckets. I will be planting 6 buckets (4cf) but the recipe is calling for 9(6cf) buckets to have extra.

*Soil*
Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss 3cf

Aeration amendment
perlite 1.5cf

Humus 1.5cf (compost/earth worm castings 50/50%)

Nutritional Admendments - 2-3 cups.
espoma tomato tone
Kelp meal
Alfalfa meal
Crab meal
Neem meal

Mineral Amendments
lime. 1 cup per cf
Azomite Rock dust. 4 cups per cf.

So first off does everything look good from the start? I based everything off the organic soil thread from another forum and sticking to that. Should I alter any ratios?

First question I need is with the humus. Problem is I dont have compost brewing so what are my best options? Is it best to try to find compost or bagged manure or buy the expensive bagged organic stuff? Or would leaving compost out and doing all worm castings be acceptable?

With perlite I'm staying away from miracle grow products but besides that is there any products to stay away from when buying? Or what should I look for? And i cant find any measurements in cf so how much should I look to purchase so i can make proper measurements?

Is there any other admendments that are key that I'm missing or that i can replace with something I have already?

Once I get everything together I planned on letting the soil cook for 6-8 weeks depending on when the next grow is ready. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[Eyes on Fire]

Well the first answer is yes.the simple compost bags at the store should work fine.Mushroom,cowm,steer or casting also will work.Id recommend using 2-3 of them since variety is key and strength in numbers and variety.


it looks like your doing a simple version of an organic grow.which works but usually you will have flower issues. so if you cant get a KIS pack or coots mix or even Bio Tabs(which all do great) I would recommend getting 2-3 types of granules.Veg,Bloom and a nice number between the two as a catch all.but minimum of veg and bloom granules..

And 4 cups to a cubic foot of azomite seems a tad high.I would use 2...or 3 tops.

 

[CALEB]

Why would I have flowering issues? I am keeping it simple but I should have everything covered. What is lacking to give me issues in flowering?

 

[CALEB]

Also I've made some changes. I'll probably be doing more of a 33% peat/perlite/humus and probably dropping azomite and going with another rock dust.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

ok cool. then dont.makes no difference to me.but most soils claim a lot and if you have a medium or aggressive growth larger strain for example.the soil will not be able to hold the proper amount of foods the roots system and plant will require.

 

[CALEB]

I was asking a question theres no need to be like that. I was under the impression that's what a forum was for.

 

[Qwin08]

@CALEB will be growing in 5 gallons buckets. he will be planting 6 buckets (4cf)

*Soil*
Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss 10 gallons 1.3cf

Aeration amendment
perlite 10 gallons 1.3cf

Humus 10 gallons 1.3cf (compost/earthworm castings 50/50%)

Nutritional Amendments -
Alfalfa meal 2 cups
Crab meal 3 cups
Kelp Meal 3 cups
Neem meal 3 cups

Mineral Amendments 16 cups =
basalt 8 cups
gypsum 4 cups
oyster shell 4 cups

bonus
malted barley ground/ powder 2-4 cups
biochar 24 -32 cups

if any of my numbers are way off. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[Free Flow]

I would add a guano to help in flower. Looks good though

 

[Eyes on Fire]

@CALEB sorry,guess I just read it wrong. But I really wasnt being nasty,. Im pretty point blank kinda guy.Apologies Guano can lend to PH wavering if not properly buffered IME with multiple feedings in water and teas.But does help.I would work on Teas and maybe a top dressing or additive for flower like Langbenite and Kelp,Bone meal or similar.

 

[CALEB]

I havent researched into teas but I've come across mention of alot of people using it for feedings when using organics. So with something like my recipe I would need a tea or top dressing during flowering to keep top shape?