Water only soil grow?

[Moose8810]

I'm nearing the end of my first grow, and I'm satisfied with my results so far but it's been a learning experience for sure. 6 plants in a 5x5, 5gal fabric pots coco/perlite.

For my next grow, I'd like to give organics a shot but I've got a few questions I'm hoping some more experienced folks could help me with. I'm planning on running 2x Double Grape and 2x White Crack from Mephisto. I'm going to use fabric pots again (or maybe Radicle bags) and using Coast of Maine Stonington Blend for my soil - it's local and I can get it for $16.50/bag.

1. What size pots should I use? Coast of Maine says a 15gal pot will sustain them through harvest, but I'm guessing they're referring to photos; does the same apply to autos or can I go smaller? I'm sure there will always be something along the way that goes sideways, but I'd like to keep this as close to water only (and me-proof) as possible.

2. Is the blend lacking in anything I should amend it with? I've got plenty of Recharge and I'm planning on trying Mammoth P out. Any goodies I should consider that aren't necessarily lacking, but would be a good addition?

3. Can I start the seeds in the Stonington Blend? Should I thin it out with something like more coco or use something else entirely?

4. Would something like a RootMaker be worth starting them in or should I just start them in the final pot?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Gimemy]

Let's see some pics of your end of your first grow

 

[Bong Whisperer]

I'm new myself, and definitely not qualified to give any advice.

Having said that, I'm sure you can get away with containers smaller than 15 gallons. I'm running a water only grow in a 3 gallon bucket. I would - and did - keep it simple. Only use one quality product (or product line) according to instructions, and you'll be likely to succeed. You can check out my super simple super soil grow in the link below.

 

[Moose8810]

@Bong Whisperer Are you planning on top dressing with anything down the road? I'm unfamiliar with FLO, I'll have to do some reading.

Regardless I'm already set on CoM, have 8 bags I'm picking up Monday. They offer dry amendments like fish bone meal too, I'm more so trying to understand more about what to expect with autos specifically in relation to that soil and pot size, etc. I can't seem to find a ton of info for that specifically.

@Gimemy here's a few pics (finally found the white balance on my phone haha). Just entered week 10 from seed, trichs are starting to get cloudy here and there but still mostly clear. I've been dealing with issues in 3 of them, I don't seem to have abused the others too badly yet. The colas are of the best Tangerine Dream and Gorilla Glue I've got currently, I had no expectations other than dead plants going into this so like I said I'm happy with this for my first time.

Want to give soil a shot as I feel like I don't have enough time to do them justice with coco. Found very quickly that each plant's needs are too individual and I'm too inexperienced and not around enough to mix inidividual nutes for each lady every night - I'd like to let some wonderful microbes take the reigns on that. I'm thinking this was a crapshoot showdown between my black thumb and not-so-great genetics. If there's an easier way in hydro - I'm all ears, here to learn and I'm hoping I'll be here answering questions like this from this awesome community after my thumbs turn a little more green.

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

https://www.autoflower.org/forums/organic-growing.246/
https://www.autoflower.org/forums/discussion-living-organic-soils.443/
read threads from F.N. and hecno
good luck n keep er lit

 

[Gimemy]

Okay I understand now cuz what you got going on pretty good looking I had to get away from the dirt and the Pooh as I can have 36 legal plants it just drew too many bugs and the smell

 

[Gimemy]

I'm sure there's some dirt farmers out there less than they could tell you what you need to know

 

[Bong Whisperer]

@Bong Whisperer Are you planning on top dressing with anything down the road? I'm unfamiliar with FLO, I'll have to do some reading.

Regardless I'm already set on CoM, have 8 bags I'm picking up Monday. They offer dry amendments like fish bone meal too, I'm more so trying to understand more about what to expect with autos specifically in relation to that soil and pot size, etc. I can't seem to find a ton of info for that specifically.

No dressing for me, just water.

Autoflowers can get by with a smaller container, and they want a milder soil compared to photos.

 

[AltheGardener]

2 or 3 gallon is plenty for most autos. I've found I've had better luck when using organic soils first to cut them with a 1/3 the volume of added perlite. They absolutely must be able to dry out. Set fabric pots on racks or stones or boards to elevate them an inch or so above the floor to keep the circulation more even. Earthworm castings, mushroom compost, a tiny bit of blood and also bone meal, and a spoonful of Epsom salts are great additions.

 

[Moose8810]

@AltheGardener If the CoM already has perlite and coco mixed in, you'd still add around 30% perlite?

@archie gemmill thanks a bunch I'll definitely check them out

So 3 gals would be plenty for autos, if I was looking to maximize the potential for my space would jumping up to 7 or 10 gals be viable? I know coco and soil are vastly different, but as my first grow went along I was regretting doing 6 - I could've easily filled my 5x5 with 4 of these girls