Pre grow amendment/inoculation for store bought organic compost?

[Benjidubwise]

Greetings.

I’m planning out a small grow for September (when the kids go back to school) & have some questions...

Firstly, the soil.
I‘m in the UK so products from the likes of Fox Farms aren’t readily available. That said, I’m currently planning to use Bat Special (links below) as the main medium. I’ll be starting from seed but will plant the seed in a “fist sized” ball of bio bizz light so not to overwhelm the seedling.
I’m lead to believe that bat special should contain enough nutrients to see me through the first 4 weeks or so & was then planning on doing an organic dry amendment (link below) & watering in with a liquid comfrey/ potash (link below)

So, my question..
Whilst my medium should contain enough to keep the plant happy but not so much as to burn it, is there any problem adding in things like worm castings or pre soaking with beneficial bacteria / seaweed tea? (see links) Or is this unnecessary as it’s fresh compost & doesn’t need it?
I plan on planting the seed with a coating of Mycorrhizal fungi to inoculate the tap root (does anyone have any experience with this?)

Secondly, pot sizes.
I’m only going to be growing in a 70 x 70 & I’ve been advised it’s probably better to grow one monster plant as scrog. With that in mind I’m guessing I want to grow in as big a pot as possible? The bigger the pot, the more soil & the more chance for microbial interactions & root space = healthier soil & happier bigger plant?

As I mentioned, I’m in the research phase & things are changing all the time. The only constants remain: organic medium, 70x70 grow tent & LED’s so I’m really interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance

Links

Bat special
https://www.groworks.co.uk/product/house-garden-bat-mix-special

Groworganic. Concentrated Organic Fertiliser (3-3-3)
Amazon product

Liquid potash comfrey feed
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Potash-R...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Multi mite liquid organic seaweed fertiliser
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MULTI-MI...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Bacterial inoculent
Amazon product

Mycorrhizal fungi powder
Amazon product

 

[hecno]

I don't know about most of the inputs , none of that stuff down here where I live , but one thing that stands out is your total NPK ratios , would seem a bit high . Cooking time is good , my soil is at least 3 months old before I use it .

 

[Benjidubwise]

I don't know about most of the inputs , none of that stuff down here where I live , but one thing that stands out is your total NPK ratios , would seem a bit high . Cooking time is good , my soil is at least 3 months old before I use it .

That's what I was worried about. Considering I'm new to autos & leds, I may go just go with an organic bottled regiment (like canna/biobizz) for the first grow. That way I can get light distances etc dialled in & not have to worry about the nutrient side of things.
Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Benjidubwise]

I don't know about most of the inputs , none of that stuff down here where I live , but one thing that stands out is your total NPK ratios , would seem a bit high . Cooking time is good , my soil is at least 3 months old before I use it .

Although, surely it'd still be beneficial to prewater with bacteria just at to help life along a little before starting with the course of nutrients?

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[hecno]

@Benjidubwise Yes it would , And using organic nutrients is the best way to start and I still use them every grow . In the making of soil it is a time thing and as you progress you will learn more and the amount of nutrients you use will drop as you understand soil . I am down around 60 % less of what I used to use . It has taken me 3 seasons to get to the stage I am at with my soil . I know it sounds like a long time , but in my case I use a lot of inputs from around me that react in different ways . Then you have to figure out way . Which will bring you to the understanding of what the nutrients do and at what stage of life the plant is in . I too have a lot to learn and still do knuckle head things -- You have to make mistakes . -- But the end result is the smile on ya mates faces . :smoking: Ps if ya ever want a yarn , just link me . I would enjoy your grow .

 

[cloudsosmoke]

Not very experienced organic grower
...but in uk and happy using TNC nutrients

I think you would only need the TNC mycor - it has the same ingredients as the bactor but with added mycorrhizae tricoderma seaweed and humate


Some UK organic suppliers from my bookmarks
https://www.organiccatalogue.com/equipment
https://elixirgardensupplies.co.uk/product-category/fertiliser/organicferts/ (also sell on amazon)
https://www.leafmould.co.uk/
https://www.viresco-uk.com/information/horticultural_humate_products.asp (free worldwide delivery except aus and nz)


Can’t resist adding this..

if you really want to splash out
https://www.1-hydroponics.co.uk/grow-media/soil-and-mixes/sohum-living-soil-42-5-litres
Very big catalogue ..pre-mixed Living soil and lots of other stuff you can’t find anywhere else
eg The Subsonic Harmonic Wave machine by bio wave for only £2999.00 as seen in Netflix Disjointed trying to gain mind control over grower Pete lol


Have fun

 

[Benjidubwise]

@hecno Thanks, buddy. TLO is definitely the direction I'm heading but there's a lot to take in. I think I need to keep it simple for the first round or two & like you say, taper off the nutrients over a few seasons. I'll be in touch for sure & I'll let you know if I start a dairy. Thanks for your help!

@cloudsosmoke Thanks for this info! Isn't always so easy to find uk/eu versions of things without a point in the right direction.
I guess my only concern with using pre mixed living soil would be the need for an "activation period". Surely, if the bag has been sat in a warehouse for any time the life inside will be pretty much dormant? Maybe growing a cover crop for 3-4 weeks before popping seeds in would get everything moving?
the links are very much appreciated & I'll have a deeper dive this evening. Might wait a grow or two before I invest in the "Subsonic Harmonic Wave machine"

Have a good one

 

[hecno]

"Subsonic Harmonic Wave machine I want one

 

[Benjidubwise]

@cloudsosmoke have you ever used any of the pre mixed living soils?

 

[Benjidubwise]

I just came across these guys ( indoororganics.co.uk. ) whilst trawling the internet. They seem to do everything to do with living organic soils in house & with ethically sourced materials (& with a price point to match). Anyone had any experience with them?