Best soil mix & a few questions <3

Hi RIU <3, this is for an OUTDOOR GROW
What is the best soil combination for a beginner? Doesnt have to be EPIC but im still trying to learn. Im germinating and planting in one month into a 5L bucket. As of now im THINKING 50% pro-mix, 25% perlite, 25% worm castings.
Questions:
1) with the soil combo above, will the Ph be off? do i need to add lime or something?
2) what fertalizer do you use and how often/how do you apply it? when do you start to apply?
3) can i use rain water to water my girl? or is creek water okay?
4) is one bag of pro-mix, perlite, and worm castings enough for 3 5L buckets?
5) what insect repellent or pest control do you use? and how often?

forget all that... go buy some fox farm ocean forest

1. have no idea about the ph, yes you should add dolomite lime to any homemade soil.

2. go buy a reputable fertilizer and read the feeding instructions on the label.

3. rain water is good, as long as the creek moves and isn't stagnant that is fine too.

4. i do not know the quantities of each and you did not give them, but it's simple math.

5. pyrethrum or neem, i use it as soon as i see pests, spray once a week til infestation has been eliminated.

I went 50% Pro Mix BX / 50% Fox Farms Ocean Forest for my last grow and have switched to 50% Pro Mix BX / 50% Perlite for the new batch. Probably not such an issue with an outdoor grow but I was getting fungus gnats, they don't really do much harm, but I don't really want them there. If you don't care about a few gnats I would go with my first option here. Also, you do not need lime so long as you use Pro Mix BX, they already covered that for you.
Doom Doktor SpiderMite Knock Out is pretty good on pests and can be used up to a day or two before harvest, pyrethrin is the active ingredient, it kills pests then breaks down within hours.

kbo ca said:

forget all that... go buy some fox farm ocean forest

Click to expand...

whats the difference between FFOF and promix?.. and what mix did you use with it?

dude your growing out door just get pro mix , cow manure or sheep manure mix 1/4 bag of either into the promix
watering schedule it once a week unless it rained for feeding get some 20 20 20 and sprinkle it around the soil get some kind of meshing
your worst out door pests are rabbits an Deer dont worry bout spider mites un herd of out door keep it simple

DrFever does make a pretty good point.

I know i just want the simplist soil mix that will grow a good amount.. and a easy fertilizer (should i get the one you mix in water or powder?)

I think it's a preference thing but I like Fox Farms Grow Big/Big Bloom/Tiger Bloom.

ffof is a one step soil... put your plants in and water them with ph correct water. you wont need to feed at all for the veg period.. no mixing or measuring.. everything you need to start off your grow is in ffof soil. pick up a bag and try it out ive been using it for my last five grows and every clone has grown efortlessly.. you will need to mix flowering nutes with your water when you switch it over to 12 12... but it saves you the money on veg nutes.. GOOD LUCK!

kbo you make a great argument. But JUST ffof? no lime or worm castings?
p.s. where do you guys get your water other than rain? like how do you distill it?

Like i said before this soil has everything you need in it.. Including high quality worm castings... Use Tap water, let it sit out for a day before using it.. This gets rid of any chlorine thay may be in the water (chlorine kills your beneficial bacteria in your soil) if you have an air stone and air pump use this in your water.. Make sure you correct the ph before watering. Believe me, if you want an easy worry free way to grow ganja, this is the soil to use. You will need to invest in some flowering nutes, Fox Farm makes an easy one part nutrient, But there are many brands that work very well and are easy to use, just make sure you start off feeding at half strength then slowly increase until you find out what your plants like. GOOD LUCK!

My water starts at a ph of about 7.5-8, after letting the air stones do their work and adding any nutes I need, I am usually between ph 5.5-6.2, definitely adjust you ph after but the air stones work great, plus they drop the TDS around 300 ppm (in my experience).

This is my set up.