Vermicrop's Fire Soil Mix, does it need more perlite?

[DankTankerous]

Title says it all. I'm going to start cooking the soil today and am just wondering if the soil needs more aeration. It already has perlite as well as hydroton, but I'm curious if it will be suited enough for cannabis.i was also thinking about adding more Worm Castings than what it already contains, good idea, or wasteful?

 

[gonnagro]

I believe every growing medium needs more perlite for improved drainage. Since doing this I've experienced much less root rot.

 

[Wetdog]

Almost certainly, yes. To boost the bottom line, only enough of anything is added just to make it work, but usually far less than "ideal". "Ideal" for me is right around 40% perlite.

Think you would do better saving the worm castings for top dressing later in the grow. I have my own bins and still go light in the mix, but top dress fairly often. Works for me.

Wet

 

[DankTankerous]

Thank you for the info, so 40% of my grow mix should be perlite?

 

[Wetdog]

Thank you for the info, so 40% of my grow mix should be perlite?

That's what I use in my own mix. I have no experience with any bagged mixes.

However, a young lady I know uses VermiFire with over 40% perlite. The plants looked fantastic and I was very impressed with the vermifire as a mix and properly aerated.

But, 40% perlite should do you just fine.

Wet

 

[gonnagro]

Almost certainly, yes. To boost the bottom line, only enough of anything is added just to make it work, but usually far less than "ideal". "Ideal" for me is right around 40% perlite.

Think you would do better saving the worm castings for top dressing later in the grow. I have my own bins and still go light in the mix, but top dress fairly often. Works for me.

Wet

Top dressing with worm castings is a good idea too, but don't overdo it as it will slow down drainage, kind of defeating the reason you added perlite to begin with. Of course the key is balance, something I've yet to find at this point.

 

[ShLUbY]

Top dressing with worm castings is a good idea too, but don't overdo it as it will slow down drainage, kind of defeating the reason you added perlite to begin with. Of course the key is balance, something I've yet to find at this point.

Keep a mulch over your
Topdressings to keep the soil from drying
Out at all up top, and water will seep into
The pot no Problem