peat moss / perlite Help

[leesus]

Got this locally for 9.99. (Rare find in a very rural area)What should I do to get the PH of it right? It's stays at 6.5 to 7 with a 50/50 mix and a 70/30 mix. How much perlite would you use? So for a soil less grow all I need is this and perlite? Vermiculite? I found some from the same company and I already have hydroton to layer the bottom for extra drainage. Suggestions? I have everything I need to start just don't want to waste perfectly good feminized seeds.

http://www.fertilomesoils.com/fertilome-peat-moss/

 

[akmatanuska]

You'll probably want to add some biological components in the soil like mycorrhizae and bacteria. Along with peat moss and perlite and or vermiculite. I use mycorrhizae promix and added the % of perlite I wanted and it works great I use synthetic advanced nutrients but am going to switch to organic advanced iguana juice it's a little more user friendly. I'll prolly try using fox farm ocean Forrest or happy frog or something to just to try it out I've used different brands of soils in the past that worked decent and we're a lot cheaper then the fox farm. Like a 2 cu ft black gold organic for about 17.99 that was pretty good to.

 

[akmatanuska]

Oh also dolomite lime will balance the soils ph to answer your ph question

 

[roofwayne]

Add Dolomite lime and not worry about the Ph. I use peat moss and perlite with mycorrhizae and the lime.....rw
Took me too long to post...lol

 

[akmatanuska]

Oh and I wouldn't line the bottom of the container ever IMHO because the roots will sit at the bottom of that and they will become root bound or if water sits at the bottom it will rot the roots that sit at the bottom. 10-15% perlite works good for the mix also a good indication is just to look at the soil after you add the perlite when it looks evenly mixed it should be good Make sure you water the soil real well probably quite a few times enough to where you get some drain off. You want to make sure the soil gets thoroughly wet so it doesn't allow any dry pockets cause roots won't grow in them also if you're having problems wetting the soil like Jorge always says add a drop of biodegradable dish soap lol

 

[BarnBuster]

Add Dolomite lime and not worry about the Ph. I use peat moss and perlite with mycorrhizae and the lime.....rw
Took me too long to post...lol

good to see you around here rw

 

[MjMama]

Usually if you are using peat and perlite it is with compost mixed in as well. Equal parts of all 3, then lime to buffer ph and supply calcium.

 

[leesus]

Even tho I'm doing a soil less grow? I thought the lime raised the low pH of peat moss? Is this a pH buffer or?.. I want to do a soil less grow I want all the nutes it gets to be fed by me. Anyone else doing soil less?

 

[akmatanuska]

I'm doing soiless but mine comes premixed. If you're trying to lower the pH you'll wanna use iron sulfate or magnesium sulfate and dolomite lime to raise and it also provides cal/mag

 

[leesus]

I'm doing soiless but mine comes premixed. If you're trying to lower the pH you'll wanna use iron sulfate or magnesium sulfate and dolomite lime to raise and it also provides cal/mag

Thanks alot I found at local garden store today. I believe it was an aluminum solfate?? Will this work to lower ph? Do you guys think this is a successful medium? What pre mixed soilless are you using?

 

[akmatanuska]

Thanks alot I found at local garden store today. I believe it was an aluminum solfate?? Will this work to lower ph? Do you guys think this is a successful medium? What pre mixed soilless are you using?

I use promix it comes in like 3.8cu ft bails it's kinda spendy but seems to work good. To answer your question the sulfate will do the trick just follow instructions carefully

 

[Guy2HIGH]

Oh and I wouldn't line the bottom of the container ever IMHO because the roots will sit at the bottom of that and they will become root bound or if water sits at the bottom it will rot the roots that sit at the bottom.

If this were true, then hempy buckets would never work... and they work very well.

Peat moss has a natural pH of around 3 - 4.5 which is great, if you're growing blueberries, but not if you're growing cannabis... peat moss is not capable of sustaining the life of a cannabis plant all by itself. Perlite and/or vermiculite is used for soil/medium aeration and has no other value.

To make a peat-based soiless mix: First, take the amount of peat you plan to use and moisten it before adding anything. After the peat has been moistened, add equal parts of perlite and/or vermiculite and mix well.. coarse sand may also be used. Vermiculite can become compacted when handled roughly(it breaks down easily), perlite or sand works better for the long run. Add limestone and a all-purpose fertilizer(optional) and mix in thoroughly... and there you have it... it's pretty easy to make your own soilless mix.

I thought the lime raised the low pH of peat moss? Is this a pH buffer or?

Yes Sir, limestone is the buffer. Be careful not to overlime, it can reduce the availability of nutrients, especially micro-nutrients like zinc, iron and manganese.

 

[leesus]

If this were true, then hempy buckets would never work... and they work very well.

Peat moss has a natural pH of around 3 - 4.5 which is great, if you're growing blueberries, but not if you're growing cannabis... peat moss is not capable of sustaining the life of a cannabis plant all by itself. Perlite and/or vermiculite is used for soil/medium aeration and has no other value.

To make a peat-based soiless mix: First, take the amount of peat you plan to use and moisten it before adding anything. After the peat has been moistened, add equal parts of perlite and/or vermiculite and mix well.. coarse sand may also be used. Vermiculite can become compacted when handled roughly(it breaks down easily), perlite or sand works better for the long run. Add limestone and a all-purpose fertilizer(optional) and mix in thoroughly... and there you have it... it's pretty easy to make your own soilless mix.


Yes Sir, limestone is the buffer. Be careful not to overlime, it can reduce the availability of nutrients, especially micro-nutrients like zinc, iron and manganese.

Man you are awesome. The way you answered about the hydroton I said "this is my guy" haha and it got better as I went on this is the exact info I needed. Now. 50/50 peat/perlite sound good? Should I mix it and let it set a few days testing the pH and moisture? Then add in lime and perlite to adjust to the drainage I need and proper pH? I'm about to go mix it and I will check the pH. Can I flush it after mixing with tap water or should I use my pH adjusted water?
ALSO.. sorry lol
There is an aluminum sulfate there it says if my pH is 7 to use it and it will lower it to 5.5.. what if my pH is 6.3-7.0 should I use this? Is the pH zone of 5.5 to 6.2 really critical?? What if it slips to 7.1 while I try to bring it back down will plant begin to die?

Seedling doesn't look so healthy..

 

[leesus]

Also I'm using AN pH perfect grow/micro/bloom trio. Will this not keep the pH correct?? Does it adjust the pH of the medium or the water I'm putting it in?

 

[akmatanuska]

It should I use the a same advanced nutes you should test the pH to check it out I never have to change it

 

[leesus]

It should I use the a same advanced nutes you should test the pH to check it out I never have to change it

Is this in the water or the medium?

 

[akmatanuska]

My advanced grow micro bloom is meant for hydroponics so it's the water that the pH perfect works for. I'm going to change nutes next batch to iguana juice. Organic nutes are a lot more user friendly and we'l they are organic lol.

 

[akmatanuska]

Oh also about filling the bottom of the containers, I'm just going with what Jorge cervantes suggests in his grow video. I'll take his word over anyone's any day especially some random on a forum but that's just me.

 

[leesus]

Oh also about filling the bottom of the containers, I'm just going with what Jorge cervantes suggests in his grow video. I'll take his word over anyone's any day especially some random on a forum but that's just me.

I just don't understand how it can be any different from going through soil and sticking to the bottom of the pot or going through hydroton to the bottom of the pot. Either way it gets there right? Or am I missing something? I just know the rocks help the peat moss from stopping up the little holes when draining. It acts as a filter to increase drainage is what my understand is. Thanks for all your help and info it's appreciated as I am new to this

 

[akmatanuska]

I already gave you.an explanation on why it doesn't and if you get good pots you don't have little holes or you can make them bigger. If they stick to the bottom of the pot when it's full of dirt it's still in dirt absorbing nutrients if ya its in a airy spot at the bottom with no medium it's not. Also if they're sitting at the bottom and there's water sitting down in hat area it could rot your roots. There's mixed feelings about it people argue both sides I'll take Jorge's lol.