First time grower

So I got to sativa plants from a friend and are doing great but there not bushy and the stock is thin. I just ordered some super silver haze seeds and need to know what is the best cheep soil to use. I'm using miracle gro for the sativas and its working but I've heard bad things about using it plus I'm getting gnates like crazy. Can someone help.

these are things that happened early on, no wind made the stalk thin, and not enough light made it stretch.. knowmsayn. happy frog seems to be a pretty popular favorite.

Happy Frog
FFOF - Fox Farm Ocean Forest
Pro Mix HP

Tip: don't go cheap on your medium.

just go to home depot and steal handfuls of different stuff, perlite, peat moss etc. SUPERSOIL!
alot of home depots and garden stores/big box stores will give a ripped bag to you at a discount. i got a bag of happy frog for like 10 bucks cause maybe half a gallon spilled out.. deal

but im not supporting stealing. just sayin

Also MG can and does work ( sometimes ) it is designed to release nutes at EVERY WATERING which your plant doesn't need.

Miracle grow is like the mcdonalds of ferts. they make so much money, they could deliver a way better product. but dont. by choice. lol but thats where it kills you is the slow release. I imagine if you knew how much it released (by ppm)? with how much water and somehow figure that into your grow itd be awesome.. but for now its mostly avoided. I guess they came with an organic line or some sort of something thats better. not too sure about that one

Ku Ku thanks for the info I'm gonna go check out that fox farm now. As for lights I've got 2 26 watt CLF and 2 fluorescent going any advice on those.