do I need to use perlite??

B

banks358

Active Member
so I am using smart pots with happy frog soil... would you recommend using perlite too or no?? im a n00b first timer please don't kill me,lol
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Fill your container with your soil. Pick it up repeatedly. Get the feel of it. Do your thing with transplant into it and water it well. A 5 gallon container should easily take a gallon of water fed slowly and evenly around the surface. Pick it up again repeatedly and get the feel of it.

Use this method to determine when to water and feed. Do not do so on a schedule. Do not water because it feels dry when you stick your finger in it.

Do this and you won’t need additional perlite.
 
JoeBlow5823

JoeBlow5823

Well-Known Member
hotrodharley said:
Fill your container with your soil. Pick it up repeatedly. Get the feel of it. Do your thing with transplant into it and water it well. A 5 gallon container should easily take a gallon of water fed slowly and evenly around the surface. Pick it up again repeatedly and get the feel of it.

Use this method to determine when to water and feed. Do not do so on a schedule. Do not water because it feels dry when you stick your finger in it.

Do this and you won’t need additional perlite.
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This is the way to water a plant that is using all of the pot. If the plant is very small, do not fully saturate the pot, you will drown it.
 
B

banks358

Active Member
I have a small basement so im using 3 gallon pots.... im just waiting for my soil to come so I can start to grow something lol
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
JoeBlow5823 said:
Start in smaller containers and transplant as the plant grows.

And if you are planning to grow autoflowers, i strongly recommend you dont. They suck.
Click to expand...
Agree to both. Using graduated containers will get you a bigger plant more quickly because of root development.
 
T

tslonige

Well-Known Member
I only use FFHF in plastic 3 gal pots with 30% Perlite for years. Never had, fungus gnats, PM, Spider Mites. The soil dries in 2 days. That is just my experience with it.
 
B

banks358

Active Member
tslonige said:
I only use FFHF in plastic 3 gal pots with 30% Perlite for years. Never had, fungus gnats, PM, Spider Mites. The soil dries in 2 days. That is just my experience with it.
Click to expand...
so would you recommend using more perlite? or just use the soil as is....
 
T

tslonige

Well-Known Member
banks358 said:
so would you recommend using more perlite? or just use the soil as is....
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I do 30% perlite mixed in the FFHF, so 10 cups soil and 3 cups perlite. I also only use the soil for 1 grow. The roots are pretty much solid by harvest so I cut, hang and toss the root ball. It is minimal expense to me just growing for myself but sure keeps the bugs and soil issues away.
 
Mr. Cheetah

Mr. Cheetah

Well-Known Member
hotrodharley said:
Fill your container with your soil. Pick it up repeatedly. Get the feel of it. Do your thing with transplant into it and water it well. A 5 gallon container should easily take a gallon of water fed slowly and evenly around the surface. Pick it up again repeatedly and get the feel of it.

Use this method to determine when to water and feed. Do not do so on a schedule. Do not water because it feels dry when you stick your finger in it.

Do this and you won’t need additional perlite.
Click to expand...
yes man! got tired of seeing ppl water 200 ml around a plant in 5 gal pot coz they are afraid of OW and other ppl advising them to do it coz otherwise it will get root rot or blah blah! just soak the damn thing when you transplant, how my granny told me lol good to know im not the only one :D cheers
edit* on the topic, i usually put extra perlite in my soil, even if it already has some in it. thats just me, plus ive never used smart pots
 
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