Just my 2 cents. I use miracle grow perlite and peat, at 50/50 with 1 tsp of dolimite lime per gal of soil mix. I dont worry about miracle grow telling me on packages that plant food is added, its basically non- existent. I have started seeds in this stuff. Plant food is jacks classic 20/20/20 all purpose for veg, and jacks classic 10/30/20 when they start to flower. Start plant food at micro dose when plants are small till you get to full strength at 1 tblsp per gal of water when plants are bigger. I have excellent results with all strains ive grown with this system. Here is an auto- flower i have going right now. Shes at 9 days flower. Happy growing.