slow release potting mix

[animal]

Tom keep personal insults out of it and stick to the topic.

 

That thread said you used to vacuum the osmocote off the top of your medium before flushing. I just want to ask you, have you ever grown plants with osmocote in the soil mix and noticed a chemical taste in the buds? Because there were a couple of growers in that thread who seemed to think it would be fine, and so do I.

 

If your answer is yes then fair enough, we all have different experiences and opinions. If your answer is no then you shouldn't be telling someone they are wrong about osmocote when they've grown and flushed with it in the soil mix and said its fine.

 

The other thing that should be considered is that the osmocote contained in most potting mixes is of a low concentration and not a very significant factor in a heavy feeding plant like mj.

 

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[reeferman]

umm im a bit unsure at the moment as to the conflicting advice, but pure mentioned that final rinse stuff- i assume you can get it from hydro stores. If so, does anyone have any good recomendations for good hydro stores in perth???

[Guest Eikel]

Hey Reeferman,

 

Firstly, here's some info on Osmocote from another (non-MJ related) site:

 

Osmocote is temperature controlled. The pores in the coating (which the little balls are made of) only "open" up enough to release the fertlizer within when temperatures are above the high 60s. The "Osmo" in the name refers to osmosis--the traveling of a solution through a membrane (very rough translation) That means there can be a tendency--on warmer spring days--for the fertilizer to "dump" its load all at once, especially when (soil surface)temperatures can rise rapidly above 70.

 

Be careful in application, don't lay down a thick layer of the stuff hoping to fuel growth. You may wind up getting an overdose in the soil. This can happen when leaves are opening in the spring--the plant isn't using the fertilizer until leaves fully open anyway--when temperatures can spike in late afternoon.

From: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/b...6431025980.html

 

Now that you have some info on Osmocote - why do you want to use chemical fertalizers or slow-release ferts at all?

 

If you look in the Mr Nice grow in my signature you can see how I made my latest soil-mix, I didn't use any chemical or "slow-release" ferts in the making of the mix.

Organics is the best method to grow healthy strong plants, not necessairly the fastest method - but definately the most beneficial to the health of your plants.

 

I'd suggest using a "regular" as opposed to a "premium" potting-mix, these are basically the same medium except one contains ferts and one does not. Use a "regular" potting-mix and mix in your own organic plant-foods (compost, blood and bone, kelp meal, worm casings, etc, etc...).

 

In any case - I've grown plants in a "Premium" potting-mix that contained slow-release ferts, the plant grew for a total of 16 weeks (long veg, was from seed and grown outdoors) and I didn't get any "chemical" taste from my buds.

 

Just my 2c, hope it helps!

[dsyfer]

Just one thing to add, Dynamic Lifter is 100% organic, so soil with dynamic lifter as the slow release fert, is still organic (chook poo)

[Guest Eikel]

Just one thing to add, Dynamic Lifter is 100% organic, so soil with dynamic lifter as the slow release fert, is still organic (chook poo)

 

That's kind've funny, do they actually say "slow release fert" or do they say "Contains Organic Nutrients"?

 

Chook poo and slow-release chemical ferts are definately different, otherwise I'd say that "Compost" was the best slow-release fert

[dsyfer]

ok, just checked, Dynamic lifter potting mix contains:

 

Composted Pine Bark

Composted Manure

Blood & Bone (slow release phosphorous)

Fish Meal

Seaweed

 

Package states, "the organic choice"

[Guest Eikel]

ok, just checked, Dynamic lifter potting mix contains:

 

Composted Pine Bark

Composted Manure

Blood & Bone (slow release phosphorous)

Fish Meal

Seaweed

 

Package states, "the organic choice"

 

Ooh, nice...

 

Add some Perlite/Vermiculite and you got yourself a very nice sounding mix for MJ.

 

Dsy - is this what you are currently using?

 

Also, does it actually say "slow-release fertalizer" anywhere on the pack?

[dsyfer]

Just read every on the bag and the only mention of slow release, is under the Blood & Bone heading saying "slow release phosphorous, excellent for natives".

 

I could have sworn it was a slow release fert mix.

 

Yes that is what I am using, with approx 30 - 40% perlite.

[Chev]

But you are blending two separate issues here, one of plant health and one of bud taste. They are separate issues. But as it turns out, the answer to both is the same, there is nothing wrong with osmocote in your soil mix.

DO NOT USE OSMOCOTE!! I did this with my first soil grow, and was pretty disappointed with the end results, both for taste and for plant health. I've found organics is the way to go outdoors, some of the more experienced growers here can help you a little more with the nutrient issue. Dynamic Lifter would be my organic choice more than likely. But, from personal experience, I never went near slow release ferts again for my girls, pooey tasting buds and pretty shit in terms of plant vigour and growth :thumbdown DON'T DO IT!