Soil Mix Advice

[Midwest Weedist]

These posts are a dime a dozen, I know. But I've done a good amount of research and I'm only looking for advice on how to tweak my recipe and in what amounts I should mix everything.
I started out using FF soil/nutes, blackstrap molasses teas, and have decided to switch to all organic growing. I eat all organic so obviously my flowers should be organic too! I've gotten a couple of grows under my belt so I'm not a complete noobie and I'm one to be well informed before opening my mouth.


So that being said, here's what I have access to (Give or take a few things I may have missed) without ordering online or driving a distance.

For my base mix I was thinking of going with:
Peat moss, coco coir, compost/ewc (Farmed from my own worm bin that's fed from a Bokashi compost bin), perlite, rice hulls, and dolomite lime. I like to water more often than not so if there's a ratio of these that would allow for watering every two days or so, that would be preferred.

For my amendments I was thinking of using:
Azomite, Greensand, Alfalfa meal, Kelp meal, Crab meal, Bat guanos (Mexican and Indonesian), and unsulphured blackstrap molasses for teas.

I'm pretty set on my base mix unless someone has some better suggestions or a suggested ratio. For the amendments I'm really open to any suggestions. I'm more so lost on how much I'd mix up or if there are amendments that are unnecessary. I do plan to recycle my soil so if there are amendments that would be better suited for that, I can bite the bullet and order them off of Amazon.

I'm not afraid to read and research so don't be afraid to leave it at pointing me in the right direction.

 

[Pattahabi]

These posts are a dime a dozen, I know. But I've done a good amount of research and I'm only looking for advice on how to tweak my recipe and in what amounts I should mix everything.
I started out using FF soil/nutes, blackstrap molasses teas, and have decided to switch to all organic growing. I eat all organic so obviously my flowers should be organic too! I've gotten a couple of grows under my belt so I'm not a complete noobie and I'm one to be well informed before opening my mouth.


So that being said, here's what I have access to (Give or take a few things I may have missed) without ordering online or driving a distance.

For my base mix I was thinking of going with:
Peat moss, coco coir, compost/ewc (Farmed from my own worm bin that's fed from a Bokashi compost bin), perlite, rice hulls, and dolomite lime. I like to water more often than not so if there's a ratio of these that would allow for watering every two days or so, that would be preferred.

For my amendments I was thinking of using:
Azomite, Greensand, Alfalfa meal, Kelp meal, Crab meal, Bat guanos (Mexican and Indonesian), and unsulphured blackstrap molasses for teas.

I'm pretty set on my base mix unless someone has some better suggestions or a suggested ratio. For the amendments I'm really open to any suggestions. I'm more so lost on how much I'd mix up or if there are amendments that are unnecessary. I do plan to recycle my soil so if there are amendments that would be better suited for that, I can bite the bullet and order them off of Amazon.

I'm not afraid to read and research so don't be afraid to leave it at pointing me in the right direction.

Midwest, you have obviously done your homework. I know you said you are set on your base mix, and I've posted my comments about coco coir. So with that said, a couple of things:

Definitely get some rock dust in there. Basalt is your best best, but you can use basalt, glacial rock dust, granite fines, etc. 4c per cu ft. I noticed you are not dolo liming your base mix which I like. I would add in 1/2c of oyster shell per ft, and 1/2c of gypsum per cu ft. If it is pellatized, use an old coffee grinder or something and break it up. You are going to want the sulfur.

Yell if questions on any of that!

Peace!
P-

 

[Midwest Weedist]

Definitely get some rock dust in there. Basalt is your best best, but you can use basalt, glacial rock dust, granite fines, etc. 4c per cu ft. I noticed you are not dolo liming your base mix which I like. I would add in 1/2c of oyster shell per ft, and 1/2c of gypsum per cu ft. If it is pellatized, use an old coffee grinder or something and break it up. You are going to want the sulfur.

Yell if questions on any of that!

Peace!
P-

Thanks for the reply, P!

The glacial rock dust is what I forgot!! I'm fairly certain I saw a bag of this at my local hydro store. As for the dolomite lime, I think you missed it in my basemix list But would I substitute the dolo for the gypsum and powdered oyster shells or would those be just additions? Edit* I'm not opposed to using both dolo, oyster, and gypsum if that's possible. I prefer to keep everything as diverse as possible.

Thanks again for the reply!

-M

 

[Pattahabi]

Hey Midwest!

I did miss the lime. I am not a fan of dolo lime, especially with the coco. You can add the oyster shell and gypsum and skip the dolo. If you are going to add it, keep the amount small imo.


Peace!
P-

 

[Midwest Weedist]

Hey Midwest!

I did miss the lime. I am not a fan of dolo lime, especially with the coco. You can add the oyster shell and gypsum and skip the dolo. If you are going to add it, keep the amount small imo.


Peace!
P-

Thanks for the clarification on that!
What sort of ratios should I have for my other amendments or do you know of something that I could read up on that would answer that question?

 

[Pattahabi]

If you haven't already (I ass-umed you had), read at least the first few pages of the Recycled Organic Living Soil thread. That will give more detail. I use 1/2c Neem meal, 1/2c Kelp meal, 1/2c Crab meal, 1/4-1/2c of alfalfa if you are going to let it cook for a while, or leave it out and use in teas. Azomite would be part of your rock dust. I'm pretty weak on my geology, but I believe azomite is montmorillonite clay (aluminosilicate). I would stick to around 1/2c per cu ft. Greensand takes forever to breakdown, nothing wrong with it - good aeration. I don't use it, but I can't imagine it would make much difference. 1/2c-1c per cu ft? Maybe some greensand users can chime in here. Again, I don't use guanos, so I'll have to digress to whomever.

Peace!
P-

 

[st0wandgrow]

These posts are a dime a dozen, I know. But I've done a good amount of research and I'm only looking for advice on how to tweak my recipe and in what amounts I should mix everything.
I started out using FF soil/nutes, blackstrap molasses teas, and have decided to switch to all organic growing. I eat all organic so obviously my flowers should be organic too! I've gotten a couple of grows under my belt so I'm not a complete noobie and I'm one to be well informed before opening my mouth.


So that being said, here's what I have access to (Give or take a few things I may have missed) without ordering online or driving a distance.

For my base mix I was thinking of going with:
Peat moss, coco coir, compost/ewc (Farmed from my own worm bin that's fed from a Bokashi compost bin), perlite, rice hulls, and dolomite lime. I like to water more often than not so if there's a ratio of these that would allow for watering every two days or so, that would be preferred.

For my amendments I was thinking of using:
Azomite, Greensand, Alfalfa meal, Kelp meal, Crab meal, Bat guanos (Mexican and Indonesian), and unsulphured blackstrap molasses for teas.

I'm pretty set on my base mix unless someone has some better suggestions or a suggested ratio. For the amendments I'm really open to any suggestions. I'm more so lost on how much I'd mix up or if there are amendments that are unnecessary. I do plan to recycle my soil so if there are amendments that would be better suited for that, I can bite the bullet and order them off of Amazon.

I'm not afraid to read and research so don't be afraid to leave it at pointing me in the right direction.

I've always used straight peat, or a 50/50 peat/coco coir as part of my base. I am running a straight coco base for the first time (as 1/3 of the base) and my observations thus far is that it retains water much more than a peat mix. I water every second day, and with these I'm finding every 3'rd or 4'th day to be better.

If you want to water more frequently I would leave the coco coir out of the equation

 

[WhiteRooster]

• 8 large bags of a high-quality organic potting soil with coco fiber and mycorrhizae (i.e., your base soil)
• 25 to 50 lbs of organic worm castings
• 5 lbs steamed bone meal
• 5 lbs Bloom bat guano
• 5 lbs blood meal
• 3 lbs rock phosphate
• ¾ cup Epson salts
• ½ cup sweet lime (dolomite)
• ½ cup azomite (trace elements)
• 2 tbsp powdered humic acid

 

[Midwest Weedist]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply. I've been moving recently! I'll be making this mix in about a month or so, but my question now pertains to ewc and compost. My hobaski bucket and my vermiculture bucket failed during the move (Sad day, I know). I'm going to have to purchase these online as no local sellers offer small quantities like I want or only sell chemical filled garbage.

So, are there any brands that you guys would recommend for a good product for earth worm castings and compost? I only need about 5 - 10 pounds each as I'm only going to use it for one grow with 6 plants in 3 gallon planters (Might mix up a weak soil mix for my houseplants with my extras).

 

[cannakis]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply. I've been moving recently! I'll be making this mix in about a month or so, but my question now pertains to ewc and compost. My hobaski bucket and my vermiculture bucket failed during the move (Sad day, I know). I'm going to have to purchase these online as no local sellers offer small quantities like I want or only sell chemical filled garbage.

So, are there any brands that you guys would recommend for a good product for earth worm castings and compost? I only need about 5 - 10 pounds each as I'm only going to use it for one grow with 6 plants in 3 gallon planters (Might mix up a weak soil mix for my houseplants with my extras).

There's not a single farm supply or garden supply store within an hour of you that sells earthworm castings? I just called around, most didn't but one of the farmer suppliers did. I would call around, or start making new worm bins Right now.! Because earthworm castings are Expensive I would say At least over $1 a pound. I think it was like $30 for only 25lbs! I used More than Half of it in my first soil mix, and have at least two more mixes to do.! But if you have the money you can definitely just order online.!

 

[Midwest Weedist]

There's not a single farm supply or garden supply store within an hour of you that sells earthworm castings? I just called around, most didn't but one of the farmer suppliers did. I would call around, or start making new worm bins Right now.! Because earthworm castings are Expensive I would say At least over $1 a pound. I think it was like $30 for only 25lbs! I used More than Half of it in my first soil mix, and have at least two more mixes to do.! But if you have the money you can definitely just order online.!

Literally every place either doesn't sell them or they're amended with nutrients (Why, I have no idea). I have a new worm bucket started and my hobaski bin is started again too. But by the time I harvest compost or castings it'll be 6 weeks into my next grow.

 

[radicaldank42]

try just using coir by its self for the soil you get a much cleaner taste and not to mention gnats and shit don't like coir that much, you gottas watch the exc on it cause it is lower then most medias, but that's a quick and easy as fuck fix. I just made my first batch. im using it in a few weeks. going to be interesting

 

[Midwest Weedist]

try just using coir by its self for the soil you get a much cleaner taste and not to mention gnats and shit don't like coir that much, you gottas watch the exc on it cause it is lower then most medias, but that's a quick and easy as fuck fix. I just made my first batch. im using it in a few weeks. going to be interesting

Like use just coir to grow in or just for the base mix?

*Edit. Also, I've ordered ewc and compost since I posted about my failed bucket.

 

[radicaldank42]

rite you can make youre own compost and such its better anyways then store bought or online bought. that's what I do anyways and they have a complete vegan diet. and yes as the soil base, as well as some perlite for aeration. like its coir with perlite with alfalfa and guanos and kelp and powdered humic acids and such. and over twelve pounds of compost

 

[DonPetro]

I have been considering a base made with 25% coir, 20% compost, 20% leaf mold, 15% cattle manure, 15% worm castings and 5% oyster shell. What could be a better humus-rich base than that?

 

[Midwest Weedist]

I have been considering a base made with 25% coir, 20% compost, 20% leaf mold, 15% cattle manure, 15% worm castings and 5% oyster shell. What could be a better humus-rich base than that?

Throw in some endo Mycorrhizae and you'd be in good shape.

 

[Midwest Weedist]

I've also mostly finished my mix.
Coco coir (No peat this time around)
Perlite/Rice hulls
Glacial Rock Dust
Espoma Rock Phosphate
Dolo Lime
Compost
Castings
Bat guano (High P and N guanos)
Sea bird guano
Alfalfa meal
Kelp meal
... And I feel like I'm forgetting a couple things. I'll check my mix list when I get home.
*Edit*
I forgot the humic acid, greensand and azomite! Haha knew it was something.

Anyways, I mixed it up with some endo Mycorrhizae and molasses and it's cooking now.

 

[radicaldank42]

but make sure to have a diverse species of endo-mycorrhizae and different bacteria's.

 

[vitamin_green_inc]

Where did you order the EWC from?

 

[Midwest Weedist]

Where did you order the EWC from?

Amazon, GreenSense was the seller, possibly the company too.