My Organic Super Soil

Hello everyone!

I am new to growing organically, and this year im going to try and grow outdoors with a simple super soil recipe. Im not looking for perfection out of my plants, just some clean organic medicine. Here is the soil I mixed up:


2 - Bales of 3.8 cu.ft. Pro-Mix Mycorrhizae (Expands to 14 cu.ft.)

3 - Bags of Earth Worm Castings

1 - Bag of Black Gold Organic soil

2 Cups Dolomite Lime

3/4 Cup Azomite

3/4 Cup Epsom Salt

8.8lbs Fish Bone Meal

8.8lbs Blood Meal

I plan to grow in 20 gallon plastic garbage cans (with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage) and layer the soil in the following method: 1/3 super soil on the bottom, 1/3 50-50 mix of super soil and pro-mix in the middle, and for the top 1/3 just straight pro-mix.

Would this be an effective mix to use that will provide me with decent results at the end of the growing season?Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

Sounds good..i assume plants will be pre grown before hiting that mix?

dabbindylan said:

Sounds good..i assume plants will be pre grown before hiting that mix?

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I was going to plant decent sized clones in them and just let them go for the season. I might use 25-30gal rubbermaid bins instead of garbage cans, ive been reading that the plants prefer a wider pot vs a taller one. Do you think this mix will be too hot? Im assuming by the time the plant is big enough, the roots will grow down into the concentrated super soil and be able to utilize all the goodness it has to offer during flowering. Thanks

Edit: I just bought some 30 gallon smart pots instead.

I would go 1/3 Pro Mix and 2/3 Super Soil.

I think if u dont have a good size girl ull burn her

A couple suggestions if you don't mind!

Don't layer your soil. There is nothing in nature or cannabis growing to indicate that is a good idea...if you're starting seedlings start them in the promix maybe with some of that black gold mixed in. But if you're plants are clones or are already established in one gallon pots then don't worry about layering soil, mix everything up evenly. Your plant roots will thank you.

And everybody has their opinions on what amendments you should use but the one we can all agree on that you're missing is kelp meal.

Also I would leave the Epsom Salts out of your soil mix. It will throw off your magnesium ratios and cause lockouts down the road. However adding a tbsp per gallon of water when you see a magnesium deficiency is a great way to utilize Epsom Salts. And it's usually one of those once every couple weeks kinda things and only if you see a deficiency. If you got good worm castings or are using molasses every few waterings then you shouldn't really see any unless you got a plant that gobbles it up (my boss hoggs loved going mag deficient their 2ND week of flower like clockwork until I started using neem cake in my mixes).

Neem cake aka neem meal is great too! It has the most solid macro and micro nutrient list (it hits all the major ones), and it keeps nitrogen in your soil for longer. I noticed my plants stay greener for much longer...even in tiny containers... Since I started using it. Now it's something I wouldn't grow without. Even the lower quality neem seed meal had great results for me.

Truexile420 said:

I was going to plant decent sized clones in them and just let them go for the season. I might use 25-30gal rubbermaid bins instead of garbage cans, ive been reading that the plants prefer a wider pot vs a taller one. Do you think this mix will be too hot? Im assuming by the time the plant is big enough, the roots will grow down into the concentrated super soil and be able to utilize all the goodness it has to offer during flowering. Thanks

Edit: I just bought some 30 gallon smart pots instead.

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That's not how roots work homie! Don't bother with layering soil. Your roots get down there faster than you think. All layering soil will do is fuck up the efficiency of your rhizosphere.

I would switch your blood meal and fish bone ratio to four cups... Then you won't have to worry about burning your plants.

@dabbindylan
My brother in using alliteration, cheers bro!

Rasta Roy said:

That's not how roots work homie! Don't bother with layering soil. Your roots get down there faster than you think. All layering soil will do is fuck up the efficiency of your rhizosphere.

I would switch your blood meal and fish bone ratio to four cups... Then you won't have to worry about burning your plants.

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Thanks for the great advise and clearing up the whole controversy about soil layering, Ill just fill my pots with straight super soil. I will also cut the epsom salts out and pick up some kelp/neem meal to add to my soil, any suggestions on how much to add? I also want to make a large batch of super soil and use up my 8.8lb (2kg) of fish bone meal/blood meal. Im still concerned that my mix will be too hot, instead of adding 4 cups of each, could I use the entire amount and just throw in another bale of pro-mix (7cu.ft)? Thanks

Truexile420 said:

Thanks for the great advise and clearing up the whole controversy about soil layering, Ill just fill my pots with straight super soil. I will also cut the epsom salts out and pick up some kelp/neem meal to add to my soil, any suggestions on how much to add? I also want to make a large batch of super soil and use up my 8.8lb (2kg) of fish bone meal/blood meal. Im still concerned that my mix will be too hot, instead of adding 4 cups of each, could I use the entire amount and just throw in another bale of pro-mix (7cu.ft)? Thanks

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No problem bro!

For the kelp and neem I would do 1/4 cup per cubic foot...I also like to top dress with the neem, a couple tbsp to 1/2 cup depending on the pot size, just enough to give the top a nice dusting. It helps keep away fungus gnats.

As far as blood and fish bone meal...their application ratio is 1/4 cup per cubic foot...I would say you could even push it and do 1/2 cup per cubic foot...but heavier than that and you'll be showing signs of nitrogen toxicity and other issues. Throwing larger quantities of amendments in the mix won't make them last longer unfortunately. It's better to just reapply a top dressing if you're plants need more. You shouldn't have to retopdress your meals but having some worm castings on hand and top dressing once a month will have your plants happy! I recommend any brand but wiggle worm and preferably ones that are homemade or locally made (Google composting in your area to get good quality compost and if you're lucky vermicompost aka worm castings) if you're able! Are you using molasses? About 1/2 a tbsp a gallon once a month when you're in veg and once every two or three weeks when you're in flower will keep the microbe population thriving along with bring you some K, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Thanks again, you've been a big help I will definitely use molasses how you suggested to keep my microbe population up. I wanted to make a large quantity of super soil to store in my garage and have it already made for next year, but judging by your suggested ratios of fish and bone meal, I need to add way more pro-mix. I have 2 buckets of this (http://www.gaiagreen.com/fishbone-meal.html) and im pretty sure its 2 liters per bucket which gives me 4 liters. That means I have close to 17 cups of the stuff. At 1/4 cup per cubic foot of soil ill need 68 cubic feet :O I think I bought too much lol. Ive already mixed it in with my soil but now I think I f-ed up large. I might have to dispose of the soil and start from scratch. When I raked the soil over today I noticed a slight ammonia smell indicating nitrogen toxicity. Is it to late to save my mix? Live and learn I guess lol.

Truexile420 said:

Thanks again, you've been a big help I will definitely use molasses how you suggested to keep my microbe population up. I wanted to make a large quantity of super soil to store in my garage and have it already made for next year, but judging by your suggested ratios of fish and bone meal, I need to add way more pro-mix. I have 2 buckets of this (http://www.gaiagreen.com/fishbone-meal.html) and im pretty sure its 2 liters per bucket which gives me 4 liters. That means I have close to 17 cups of the stuff. At 1/4 cup per cubic foot of soil ill need 68 cubic feet :O I think I bought too much lol. Ive already mixed it in with my soil but now I think I f-ed up large. I might have to dispose of the soil and start from scratch. When I raked the soil over today I noticed a slight ammonia smell indicating nitrogen toxicity. Is it to late to save my mix? Live and learn I guess lol.

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It's usually good to buy in bulk and then you'll have what you need on hand for a while!

I wouldn't say it's totally fucked...you are gonna have to buy more soil tho...

My recommendation, adding more promix to the mix you have is probably gonna be more promix then you want to fuck with. Get a new batch cooking with the appropriate ratios but let the old one keep going. The ammonia smell should dissipate once the soil is done cooking.

We'll call your old batch "the aw fuck mix"
Use the new batch for your plants this round.

When it comes time for your next, reclaim all the soil from your pots...and here's where you have to get a little experimental... Mix your reclaimed soil with your aw fuck mix...either at a ratio of 2 to 1 (2 parts old soil, 1 part fuck mix) or 1 to 1. I would do a quick side by side for a week of the two different ratios to see which looks better.

And if you didn't already add kelp to the aw fuck mix then just mix it in fresh when you plant. I wouldn't even stick your hand in that aw fuck mix right now you might burn yourself!

A quick note on long term soil storage...make sure your tubs have air holes, soil needs to breathe...and gnats will come...after you fill each tub top it with a dusting of diatomaceous earth on the surface of the soil to keep the bugs away. You don't want to open a tub lid and get a mouthful of fungus gnats like I did last week...gross. Lol.

Rasta Roy said:

It's usually good to buy in bulk and then you'll have what you need on hand for a while!

I wouldn't say it's totally fucked...you are gonna have to buy more soil tho...

My recommendation, adding more promix to the mix you have is probably gonna be more promix then you want to fuck with. Get a new batch cooking with the appropriate ratios but let the old one keep going. The ammonia smell should dissipate once the soil is done cooking.

We'll call your old batch "the aw fuck mix"
Use the new batch for your plants this round.

When it comes time for your next, reclaim all the soil from your pots...and here's where you have to get a little experimental... Mix your reclaimed soil with your aw fuck mix...either at a ratio of 2 to 1 (2 parts old soil, 1 part fuck mix) or 1 to 1. I would do a quick side by side for a week of the two different ratios to see which looks better.

And if you didn't already add kelp to the aw fuck mix then just mix it in fresh when you plant. I wouldn't even stick your hand in that aw fuck mix right now you might burn yourself!

A quick note on long term soil storage...make sure your tubs have air holes, soil needs to breathe...and gnats will come...after you fill each tub top it with a dusting of diatomaceous earth on the surface of the soil to keep the bugs away. You don't want to open a tub lid and get a mouthful of fungus gnats like I did last week...gross. Lol.

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Treat ur soil with azamax or lemon grass oil

dabbindylan said:

Treat ur soil with azamax or lemon grass oil

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I got neem meal I can make my own azamax! Lol

Even treated after sitting in my shed for a couple weeks my storage tubs got a wee buggy. The diatomaceous earth has got em clean though. But yeah you should always treat when growing organic. Putting your tubs away or during your first few weeks of veg. It'll make sure they don't pop up later.

Azamax is more then neem...id suggest adding in rosemary sesame seed lemon grass oil diluted with water....paired with ditam earth or green dirt or gnat knix...should be bug free always

dabbindylan said:

Azamax is more then neem...id suggest adding in rosemary sesame seed lemon grass oil diluted with water....paired with ditam earth or green dirt or gnat knix...should be bug free always

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True enough! I got some rosemary growing on my porch I was planning on making some concoctions.

Somone was telling me bugs are good for fungus growth n rhizosphere devolepment but thats woohaa bugs are bad except bugs that kill bugs or earthworms id try to stay bug free

Rasta Roy said:

True enough! I got some rosemary growing on my porch I was planning on making some concoctions.

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I just throw my ingredients in a bucket outside in the heat let it bubble for a few days and its ready to use... i grow my ingredients so getting all is easy but procurement of most this stuff easy to
Edit. If u dont have bubbler just mix by hand every few hours

I have my own koi pond so i get my fish emulision and algae/kelp for free

dabbindylan said:

Somone was telling me bugs are good for fungus growth n rhizosphere devolepment but thats woohaa bugs are bad except bugs that kill bugs or earthworms id try to stay bug free

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Some bugs are definitely good and a part of the soil food Web...but when it comes to indoor growing, which is the majority of what I do...I'd prefer to avoid them. Gnats have a bad habit of flying up into pretty looking colas and making them look nasty.