Indoor growing w/soil: nutrient questions

[Zito]

Hi everyone,

First post, so allow me to introduce myself. People call me Zito, and I've been growing hydroponically for about 3 years. I want to try using soil indoors, and had a couple questions about nutrient administration. I'd greatly appreciate any insight anyone can offer.

Just to give some info that might help, I'm using a 600w digital ballast setup, and I'm a Fox Farm Nutrient guy (going with the full line:Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom, Beasie Bloomz, Open Seasame, and Cha-Ching). I plan on using Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil, whic came highly recomended. I have a well ventalated tent system, temp/humidity arent an issue, and I'm using an MH bulb for vegging, and an HPS for flowering.

So without further ado...

When using hydroponic systems, I simply added the nutes to the resivoir and they were fed to the plants through the drip/ebb & flow setup. Real easy, life was good. With soil, my thought is to get a watering can that holds X number of gallons (I imagine 1-2 at the most) add the appropriate amount of nutrients with the water in the can, and use it to water my plants twice a day. Is this a solid plan, or is there a better way?

Also, is there anything I should look out with while using soil, and what do other people think of using it indoors?

Thanks!

 

[Mr Bomb]

Hi everyone,

First post, so allow me to introduce myself. People call me Zito, and I've been growing hydroponically for about 3 years. I want to try using soil indoors, and had a couple questions about nutrient administration. I'd greatly appreciate any insight anyone can offer.

Just to give some info that might help, I'm using a 600w digital ballast setup, and I'm a Fox Farm Nutrient guy (going with the full line:Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom, Beasie Bloomz, Open Seasame, and Cha-Ching). I plan on using Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil, whic came highly recomended. I have a well ventalated tent system, temp/humidity arent an issue, and I'm using an MH bulb for vegging, and an HPS for flowering.

So without further ado...

When using hydroponic systems, I simply added the nutes to the resivoir and they were fed to the plants through the drip/ebb & flow setup. Real easy, life was good. With soil, my thought is to get a watering can that holds X number of gallons (I imagine 1-2 at the most) add the appropriate amount of nutrients with the water in the can, and use it to water my plants twice a day. Is this a solid plan, or is there a better way?

Also, is there anything I should look out with while using soil, and what do other people think of using it indoors?

Thanks!

I am basically your opposite. I have been growing for several years but have never done any hydro. Soil is a great way to grow and produces some excellent herb.

I also am a Foxfarm guy and use their whole line just like you do but with soil things are a little different. You can find their soil feeding schedule on their website or at most hydro shops.

Its a good idea to use a watering can but I don't recommend mixing your nutrients in it. The best way is to use gallon containers filled with water that have sat out for a day or two before you add nutrients, pH accordingly and use them on your plants.

Watering twice a day in soil is way too much. You will stress or even kill your plants. You should only water when the soil 3-4 inches below the surface is dry. This is normally about every 3-4 days depending on the size of your plant and local weather conditions.

You pretty much have everything else down but still expect a bit of a learning curve when first experimenting with soil. If I can help at all just pm me.

 

[Zito]

So, do you pour the water right out of the water jugs, or put it in a watering can first? And thanks for the heads up, in hindsight, twice a day does sound excessive lol.

Have you ever had any bug problems using soil? I'm just hoping it wont be an issue, but want to know what to expect.

And a learning curve for sure lol I just hope these babies turn out alright.

 

[TeddyPickles]

So, do you pour the water right out of the water jugs, or put it in a watering can first? And thanks for the heads up, in hindsight, twice a day does sound excessive lol.

Have you ever had any bug problems using soil? I'm just hoping it wont be an issue, but want to know what to expect.

And a learning curve for sure lol I just hope these babies turn out alright.

Stay away from miracle grow soil, I hear its full of bugs.

It is harder to manage the state of the nutrition in soil than it is in hydroponics. Just the nature of the medium.

I'm also switching over to soil. I have grown a few times, one soil, a few hydro, and now back to soil. I'll be using GH Floranova, Sub-Culture M, Plant Success, and some other stuff.

Good luck, Zito.

Peace

 

[vhsmopnglo]

Try to keep the number of transplants you do into bigger pots to a minimum...transplanting will slow growth and shock them depending on how well it was done... Also, I find that I don't need to use a nutrient solution every watering... I'll use the nutes about every 3rd watering and using distilled or rain water ( helps that I outdoor grow lol) the rest of the time...Used milk jugs are awesome for having a portable gallon... Good luck!

 

[Mr Bomb]

So, do you pour the water right out of the water jugs, or put it in a watering can first? And thanks for the heads up, in hindsight, twice a day does sound excessive lol.

Have you ever had any bug problems using soil? I'm just hoping it wont be an issue, but want to know what to expect.

And a learning curve for sure lol I just hope these babies turn out alright.

Pour the water from the gallon containers into a watering can after you have already mixed your nutrient solution and adjusted for proper pH.

Personally, I have never had bug problems but many people have so be careful and keep your area clean.

Try to keep the number of transplants you do into bigger pots to a minimum...transplanting will slow growth and shock them depending on how well it was done... Also, I find that I don't need to use a nutrient solution every watering... I'll use the nutes about every 3rd watering and using distilled or rain water ( helps that I outdoor grow lol) the rest of the time...Used milk jugs are awesome for having a portable gallon... Good luck!

Respectfully, I have to disagree on a couple issues. First, definetly use nutrients every watering once you have worked up to a full dose. Your plants need and want those nutrients.

Second, don't us empty milk containers. Its near impossible to rinse them clean of any milk residue. I don't know about you but I don't want to water my babies with milk no matter how small the amount. I use empty 1 gallon water containers.

 

[ravenmyst]

I concur on the miracle grow comment from experience. Buggy!!!! There is a reason its called miracle grow...its a miracle if it grows due to the bug infestation.lmao... Spend the money for good soil

 

[WhitestOfWidows]

I'm a dirtbag myself , the development rate is slower but the results are excellent , even tho its my first proper grow my plants are in full health, i water about 250 ml of spring water ph 6.2 every day and with 1/4 strength nutes every 2nd day, theres plenty of soil nutes available and all are equally as good as the next from what i have read about, its a lot more forgiving than hydro and if you miss a water or 2 theres not much harm done, not having done hydro (yet) i can say its as easy as 1 2 3 . ...

 

[strain stalker]

...check it out. > https://www.rollitup.org/organics/264274-i-think-im-done-chemicals.html

 

[kntrl]

Pour the water from the gallon containers into a watering can after you have already mixed your nutrient solution and adjusted for proper pH.

Personally, I have never had bug problems but many people have so be careful and keep your area clean.

Respectfully, I have to disagree on a couple issues. First, definetly use nutrients every watering once you have worked up to a full dose. Your plants need and want those nutrients.

Second, don't us empty milk containers. Its near impossible to rinse them clean of any milk residue. I don't know about you but I don't want to water my babies with milk no matter how small the amount. I use empty 1 gallon water containers.

Fox farm recommends using there nutrients every other watering. Salt builds up in the medium with fox farm so its good to go every other watering to help flush some of the salts out. Straight from the horses mouth if you know what i mean.

 

[elduece]

Miracle Grow is great stuff. It's too bad that stores keep them stocked outside where it's exposed to most bugs..

 

[BIG BUDDER 33]

I have a 6ft tall kushage plant in soil 5 gal bucket .3 week of flowering the nutes i have is humbuld county grow bloom micro,bushmaster/bud candy,big bud from a/n how would u use them

 

[Treyd3100]

I am basically your opposite. I have been growing for several years but have never done any hydro. Soil is a great way to grow and produces some excellent herb.

I also am a Foxfarm guy and use their whole line just like you do but with soil things are a little different. You can find their soil feeding schedule on their website or at most hydro shops.

Its a good idea to use a watering can but I don't recommend mixing your nutrients in it. The best way is to use gallon containers filled with water that have sat out for a day or two before you add nutrients, pH accordingly and use them on your plants.

Watering twice a day in soil is way too much. You will stress or even kill your plants. You should only water when the soil 3-4 inches below the surface is dry. This is normally about every 3-4 days depending on the size of your plant and local weather conditions.

You pretty much have everything else down but still expect a bit of a learning curve when first experimenting with soil. If I can help at all just pm me.

Aye broksi can you help me out wit the nutrients first timer jus wanna Learn I’m growing in my closet wit soil can you give me some tips