Moebius
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, Soil then into a perlite wrap. Like a saugage roll. LOL . Interesting.So I start my clones in clear (It's wrong but I like to see the roots) 16oz plastic cups filled with FFOF soil.
2 to 3 wks later roots are full and I transplant into 1 gal trade pots (really 2.8 qt) of FFOF with 4 1/2 tbsp of OC+ (Osmocote Plus - controlled release fertilizer [CRF]) So at this point my water is ph to 6.5. I add 5 drops superthrive, 6 drops cal/mag (my water is high tds but has no ca) & 8 drops Florisous plus. I use the Flora+ throughout the grow at this level, it's my snakeoil.
At the end of veg I take the soil plants and finally put them in their 3gal hempy buckets.
2 to 2.5 qts of soil core placed into bucket that is prepped by filling bottom of bucket to about 1" above hole and then spread 1 1/2 tbsp of OC+ layer more perlite to the point where the soil core will reach the proper elevation in the bucket (slightly below the rim) and put in another 1 tbsp of OC+. I now fill perlite around the soil core to above 2 1/2" from the top of the core. Now a small layer of soil another tbsp of OC+ the fill to the top of the core with soil.
There will be no need to feed these buckets again, just water ph in hydro range (5.6 to 6.0)
Photos show both full soil top and full perlite around core. Ran several experiments that were in no way scientific. ended on full soil cap.
Sorry to sound dumb but whats 'CRF's' , I googled it but all I came up with was 'Chronic Renal Failure'.I got tired of paying through the nose for nutes over 3yrs ago, and started playing with CRF's that were in the cabinet. My following soil grows were just as good if not better than any liquid nute I had used. As of today I believe that Osmocote is the best CRF available, and they work great in the hempy environment. I'm currently mixing OC+ and OC 14-14-14 during flower and like the results so far. If you want to lean more here's a good thread that covers most everything you need to know to grow with Osmocote.
I too have considered soil for the EXACT same reason you mention and I couldnt agree more. I'm going to give this Mapito a try as I think it will have the similar properties to a soil/perlit hempy.I like the soil for several reasons, with a soil cap it reduces evaporation, the perlite will wick and keep the soil moist till the rez drys up and then you can feel the soil to know when to water instead of lifting (which I do anyways). The root seem to really like the little bit of soil and can support alot of plant, + I get the same helpful buffering as with a straight soil grow. I'm currently running a outdoor hempy plant and I'm just watering with straight tap (tds 450 ph 7.1) just to see how it does and it is thriving. I would recommend using OC in any soil or hempy grow. One edit here I'm trying some 2L's this run for the 1st time, I started with 1 tbsp of OC+ and after 6 wks I had a P deficiency. I top dressed wit a tsp of OC+ and it cleared up so next run I'll add a little more and see how it goes for the run.
Bravo ! ... Superb post. ... and setup!Happy Hempy Growin'
PS my OC+ hempy tomato on the deck