Here's my method, I'm no expert..depends on how much soil you need and what your want to spend..but I have been using this method for creating a soil mix for my clones, veg plants, flower plants, and mothers..works fine. soil mixture: 45% potting soil 15% bat guano 15% Organic seafood fertilizer 15% Perlite 10% Peat moss, Canna nutrients used based on their watering guide at their website or download the "Canna" android app now here's the deal, I use 5 gal buckets b/c I like growing my plants about 4ft tall, generally 1gal/1ft anyway with that in mind I like 5 gal over 3 gal because nutrients in soil needs to be maintained more where a 5 gal bucket can maintain a particular nutrient level for a longer period of time.(draw back is they also consumer more nutrients=more money spent) Soil I like to use is SUNSHINE ADVANCED MIX or PRO MIX they are both very basic, so the soil is essentially a cup of black coffee..by adding cream(organic fertilizer) and sugar(nutrients) one creates a tasty concoction that helps plants grow healthy and strong. heres a couple pictures of my recent blue god plants..