Using cheap potting soil

C

ChefJonathan

Member
I have 17 clones in fox farms happy frog in red solo cups. I checked the roots the other day and they are thriving. I'm on a budget, and will be transferring to 2 gallon containers in 2-3 weeks.

What are your thoughts on using cheap soil with quality nutrients? I have bagged potting soil from the nursery, less than $10 for a 40 pound bag. And I have the fox farm trio. I'm going to try sog with this, and the mother is recovering from the clippings and doing well
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
When using synthetic nutrients. Soil is no more then a "media" to hold the plant!.

For EASE of use,It should have NO timed release nutrition, AND be sure it contains some form of calcium to help control the pH.
If it does not have Ca.
Add about a 1/2 cup of powdered oyster shell and 1/2 cup of Dolomite lime per cubic ft. and mix it well!
Some that do contain a Ca. are sometimes low in it. Here I would throw in a good handful (1/2 cup) of Dolomite and mix well. It won't hurt to do that!

It's ready now.
 
Last edited:
mauricem00

mauricem00

Well-Known Member
ChefJonathan said:
I have 17 clones in fox farms happy frog in red solo cups. I checked the roots the other day and they are thriving. I'm on a budget, and will be transferring to 2 gallon containers in 2-3 weeks.

What are your thoughts on using cheap soil with quality nutrients? I have bagged potting soil from the nursery, less than $10 for a 40 pound bag. And I have the fox farm trio. I'm going to try sog with this, and the mother is recovering from the clippings and doing well
Click to expand...
I use cheap potting soil but I use and east coast blend and add about 1/3 perlite to 2/3 soil to get good drainage. west coast blends contain a lot of "lumber" which does not compost even after 3 years of use. east coast blends are peat moss base and have better moisture retention and much finer consistency. when mixed with perlite my plant grow better in a peat moss base soil. you could also make your own cheap soil by mixing peat moss, compost or composted chicken manure.and perlite with some dolomite lime to balance the PH. all of witch are very inexpensive at home depot and other outlets
 
Hydrotech364

Hydrotech364

Well-Known Member
Wow some good mix recipes, I add peat and perlite.The mix has to be spongey so it is full of O2.I run a drip system on drain to waste growing.Once that drip is on for a day you will see explosive growth.
 
Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
I have found the grow shop stuff like biobizz light mix to be bug free but the cheap garden centre compost although not as good on quality but works great.
And it's dirt cheap , pardon the pun.
I use a multi purpose compost, perlite, vermiculite and a handful of gardening sand.
The Nutrients in this mix are used up quite fast so then I'm in charge of the feeding schedule.
 
Uberknot

Uberknot

Well-Known Member
Well I see people using basic cheap soil and doing just fine, While I read around here and tried lots of Coco...

It cant be much worse if you treat em right, Think next plants are getting straight Pro Mix.
 
Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
The multi purpose compost I use is peat based so I don't suppose it's too different to running a coco grow though
 
Uberknot

Uberknot

Well-Known Member
The Problem is people saying yeah use this Coco is great use it.....and not explaining that it has to be prepared right as well or it fucks your shit up. So *Cough Someone who is used to using a regular soil says oh wow sounds like it's easier and less problem with bugs etc.....Plants their shit and ends up with a fucking mess.

So if you are going to suggest something at least tell the whole fucking story and how to properly use it. AT least when it comes to Coco...... ;) It is not forgiving when it comes to nutrients.

Basically it is Hydro with out the water buckets except that it soaks up and doesn't release things your plant needs.
 
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