Growing Mediums for noobs

[bufo marinus]

Out of all mediums soil would have to be one of the trickiest to get right.

 

 

This is norms latest indoor and to be honest the droopy clawed leaves tells me "the roots ain't happy" ... the dark colour of the leaf leads me to think the soil is a little hot / over fertilised. Just guessing though,... Ive been following norms diary with interest and am watching to see how far the leaf curl goes .... plants start and finish flowering in 8 weeks, soil is slow to correct problems with, not easy to flush as well as very prone to scarid fly as that's the enviroment it comes from.... one of a handful of ways to best improve soil = add perlite, so if you add perlite because of it's excellent aeration properties, why not eliminate the dirt with an inert medium which accepts hydro nutes and is easy to flush ?..... see why people end up using coco?.....

 

cyber is on the money with a coco-perlite mix, it's almost fool proof if done correctly, requires no pumps and is as close to organic as hydro gets.

[Ford Fairlane]

I would not use soil indoors again.. My first indoor grow (in soil) was all but destroyed by fungus gnats... my 2nd indoor was 100% perlite.. had no probs with the medium at all... I would suggest putting a layer of clay balls or something similar at the bottom of the pots to stop perlite escaping into res and blocking pipes... I would not have liked to hand water though as it requires a lot of watering (15mins every 2 hrs is what I had them on)...

 

There are other hazards to indoor gardening though, such as; the area getting hot and ensuring good circulation... I would suggest that outdoor is the better way to go, however, I am sure I will be crucified for saying so...

[narcotics420]

thanks for all the good info guys love this site....

puka just curious 15 mins every 2 hours thats with 100% pearlite?? wouldn't be real keen on hand watering at those intervals... can you get coco from bunnings and whats the brand to get??

one more question does it matter what size pots i use?

like to find out some more bout lighting and venttilation but will have a search to see if i can find what i'm looking for if not i will be asking some more questions

sorry for asking simple questions i have an idea just like hearing what everyone else's opinion is thanks again guys

n420

[bufo marinus]

 

Hand watering doesn't necessarily mean the watering times are exactly the same as a recirculating perlite grow

Those clones are in a planter 150mm high, 150mm wide, 450mm long. In veg they are watered every 3-5 days and at peak flower once every 36-48 hrs. 100% perlite with a 20mm Layer of Hydroton on the bottom

 

* In a recirculating grow the continual draining/drying out of the rootmass, which in turn draws fresh oxygen in, is what makes those flood and drain type grows perform

[Brimstond]

I have allways been a big fan of straight clay pebbles ...... but thats with an automated watering system

 

At the moment I am using a bag of 2 to 1 mix of perlite and vermiculture hand watering every 2 days (probly better watering everyday though) ....and its bloody easy as and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to new comers

I am only using 140mm black pots in saucers and they are feeling the strain ... my plants are all over 1 m tall average and are starting to top over and the buds arnt as big and dense as I think they should be (mind you they are full of seeds atm so I wasn't getting smoke anyway)............ bigger root systems = bigger better buds imo

 

If hand watering pot size is more important than with an auto system because there is more area for water/nutes to be stored to be used at a later time..... also there is less chance of your plants falling over or snapping due to being too top heavy

 

Normally I use 14ltr pots and have 4 of them in a 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m room ...automated system with straight clay pebbles .... seems to do all right

 

But if I ever have to hand water in the future its going to be 2 to 1 mix perlite / vermiculture every time ....but in a decent sized pot

 

Cheers Brimstond

[yobgodcm]

Lookin' at 100% perlite for fridge 1.1, prolly hempy buckets, seems almost me proof

[narcotics420]

 

Hand watering doesn't necessarily mean the watering times are exactly the same as a recirculating perlite grow

Those clones are in a planter 150mm high, 150mm wide, 450mm long. In veg they are watered every 3-5 days and at peak flower once every 36-48 hrs. 100% perlite with a 20mm Layer of Hydroton on the bottom

 

* In a recirculating grow the continual draining/drying out of the rootmass, which in turn draws fresh oxygen in, is what makes those flood and drain type grows perform

 

hey bufo

thats solid bud u got there what strain is that? for the space thats decent yeild.... and you give them hydro nutients every water?

[space cadet 101]

waterwell pots, searles premium potting mix, from 7days - dutchfest grow @ 16hrs, from 28days - canna flores @ 12hrs

water from the bottom (allow pot to work capillary action) , mulch lightly away from the trunk.

Should be 12wk turnaround yielding anywhere from 3 to 8oz's depending on breed.

I've found this to be very successful, just make sure u have adequate ventilation (extraction fans)& keep the plant 30cm from light.

If ur in the metro u might want to consider the carbon filter mentioned in the earlier post). I've always used 400HPS / sq.mtr. app.

I have been told that this is what Canadians call hydroponics (any Canadians out there to verify?).

PS the secret is the Canna Flores (great product, the best).

[bufo marinus]

hey bufo

thats solid bud u got there what strain is that? for the space thats decent yeild.... and you give them hydro nutients every water?

 

Yes Hydro nutes every water, straight water once a week . Green Dream 1 part Hydro Nutrient

Strain is Ledgends Ultimate Indica.

400HPS are certainly an excellent light as well, not as hot as a 600,.... but then thats where the cool tube and fan come into it .... there are many many variables and many ways to grow.

If I was home all week and could check on things I would be back fiddling with DWC and water chiller, however working away all week the coco/perlite mix keeps the buds coming in with no problems and no worries while away

[everest]

i been in the searles potting mix for years , not saying it's the best .. but it's hard to beat . mix with 40% perlite , feed weak nuts and plain water ...

 

DWC .. rocks but

 

ev