I just got done with my first grow in OF. I switched for my next set of plants and I don't like it. I had the infamous bug issues (PNW, here). Not too mention the same reason that Subcool doesn't like it, plant tip burn. I switched to Roots Organic 707. It's just cheaper, and buy some GH nutes. I believe that soil growers should learn how to fail before they succeed. I did numerous times and by the time I finished my first grow, I learned more than the guy who 'taught' me. Point being, get ready to fail whether you want to or not. Realistically, you'll f*ck up your plants with that stuff, but it's a good lesson(s) for you. You'll overwater, unevenly water, add too much ph up/down and crisp it, that's okay, I vegged for over two months on my plants and it was because it took me that long to learn from my problems. In the process I learned FIMing, Supercropping, LST, SOG/SCROG. I now (third set of plants) have done most growers have and haven't lost one yet and I literally brought them to hell and back again. My girls are good and I'll reap over 5 oz's on one of my plants. I recommend separate planters too, more control.
You can grow in anything, the weirdest medium I've used so far was a ultrasonic humidifier in the shape of an elephant. Pretty rad actually. The plant stuck out of it's nose/trunk. My advice is save your money and use cheaper soil. Happy Frog is way better I hear. I actually stick to roots organic 707 mixed with 30% pearlite and ancient forest (20%) for water retention and optimal drainage (kind of contradicting I know, but I water once every three or so days giving it no nutes during the veg phase, and I usually root bind my plants to the planter, doing so during the flowering phase allows constant free play, add whatever you want. I veg two months and never had any nutrient problems and I usually LST the hell out of the plants, they never make it to the next step until they reach 12/12. WAY EASIER for a beginner, like us!
FYI: Organics should be cheaper than anything, if you are paying a noticeable amount of money, you are doing it wrong. Play around with stuff, you'll never learn anything unless you kick the crap out of them while experimenting early. Take'em to the brink and back and you'll know it's parameter's and can stay within them for the duration of their long and not so healthy life. You'll get better. My advice is learn the fundamentals and you won't hermie your plants. I haven't yet, and I SUCK!!!