My personal method is to start seed in a solo cup full of HF, then transplant it into OF with the seedling remaining in the 'cup' of HF (with the actual cup removed of course). Place it in a hole in the center of the OF and they've been happy, happy. Lasts about 4 weeks on water only before needing anything added. My 'nutes' are top dressing with more OF and watering it in with each watering as needed. I don't water to run-off and don't use any synthetic nutes. No flushing either. Works for me.
Questions ?ocean forest (fox farm)
- Thread starter Chicagosworse
- Start date
Chicagosworse
Member
This was eventually my next, I honestly didn't want to use the synthetic nutes. Can you please share the link to what you're feeding your plants. That all sounds so amazing.
HydroKid239
Well-Known Member
All started in ocean forest.
Poor watering habits is what most people experience I believe.
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
Yup no problems here until I over-watered my seedlings. Set them back 2 weeks & looked like a "burn" situation.
Grow Monster
Well-Known Member
Yeah thats what I kind of do. Mix ffof with my coco so I don't need to feed em for a few weeks during veg. My ffof was so hot that if used alone I could go the whole veg with no nutes. Ppm was 7k. But no burn except when I tried to add nutes to early.
Curious if u switch to other nutes when in bloom or still just add ffof?
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Heard there were bag differences ( amendment sources ) depending on region of U.S.
There has been times I had to screen the bags ( curiosity ) found a couple nails once . Most strains can tolerate it upfront and push on .
I find if I am able to recycle a bit of it after a run - it works beautifully as a seed starter mix in solos ( re-use ). No waste and that cup becomes a new plug.
It does benefit from a few “ tweaks “ tho -
More perlite / rice hull or pumice
EWC bump
Con side - Fungus gnats
This happens IMO more during transit and palletized storage . Regardless I have found a few swarmers in bags so I mix in Neem meal to 2 cu bags.
Toss it , mix it , seal it.
After that , all good.
There has been times I had to screen the bags ( curiosity ) found a couple nails once . Most strains can tolerate it upfront and push on .
I find if I am able to recycle a bit of it after a run - it works beautifully as a seed starter mix in solos ( re-use ). No waste and that cup becomes a new plug.
It does benefit from a few “ tweaks “ tho -
More perlite / rice hull or pumice
EWC bump
Con side - Fungus gnats
This happens IMO more during transit and palletized storage . Regardless I have found a few swarmers in bags so I mix in Neem meal to 2 cu bags.
Toss it , mix it , seal it.
After that , all good.
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
HF ( happy frog ) runs a lot milder and tends to tap out faster. Some growers will bottom fill containers with FFOF - top fill HF.
Or straight 50/50 blend. No set rules. I find the soil better when used in combinations outside of typical plant and use.
It’s one of the few “ water only “ blends you can run instead of grow shop “ custom mixes “ .
A lot of those “ boutique super soils “ are junk.
Or straight 50/50 blend. No set rules. I find the soil better when used in combinations outside of typical plant and use.
It’s one of the few “ water only “ blends you can run instead of grow shop “ custom mixes “ .
A lot of those “ boutique super soils “ are junk.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
Personally I’m a fan of Sunshine 4 Advanced. Done with Fox Farms by 2013 going Pro Mix and never looked back. The Sunshine 4 Advanced has everything including coco and yucca. Costs a few dollars more and it’s 3.0 cubic feet instead of 3.8 like Pro Mix or regular Sunshine 4. First waterings I still added a couple of drops of Dawn. Obviously has better draining than regular peat mixes. I water by weight and found myself watering more frequently. There’s no need to spend the money for Fox Farms products.
I agree. It's simple for how I want to grow, just add water and watch the plants, they'll tell me what they need if I'm screwing it up. I've heard stories about different blends in different areas, so I have no clue, but wouldn't doubt it. I didn't mention perlite which helps drainage. You do have to stay on top of it though as the plants will suck everything up in short order. I'm not saying this is the best way, but it fits my lifestyle and the fruit of my labors puts a big fat smile on my face.
BTW, props to Budzbuddha, he put me onto this particular path. Thank you!
farmerfischer
Well-Known Member
My thoughts exactly on the fungus gnats.. the bags have small pin holes in them and i think maybe thats how they get in during storage
TCH
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the bags of soil gotta breathe. I buy my FF soils from the local hydro shop. They store it all inside In a clean show room. With the big box stores, it can be stored outside in the elements and who knows what kind of temps. While the little holes let the soil breathe, they sure don't let it dry out once the bags get saturated sitting out in the rain.
I usually use a 50/50 mix of HF/OF upon seedling first transplant and thereafter. Then start introducing nutes 2 or 3 weeks after the 1st transplant. It has worked ok for me. I think I've found that fairly regular addition of calmag is needed also with this soil mixture. Perhaps magnesium isn't the strong suit of these 2 soils. Seems I'm usually behind the curve and realize the deficiency later than I should have. Oh well. My next run will be perfect.
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
When do you usually notice MG deficiency, in veg or flower? I've yet to notice that issue.
RIS
Well-Known Member
I used FFOF all the way, Like @HydroKid239 it's a watering issue. the only time i had problems was over watering
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Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Remember that FFOF is buffered pretty well ( oyster shell) and tap works ( covers calcium / mag ) .
If you ph adjust say tap to the medium ( 6.6-6.7 ) then the medium’s buffers hold out longer. I have run autos up to 88 days without much depletion in buffers.
If you ph adjust say tap to the medium ( 6.6-6.7 ) then the medium’s buffers hold out longer. I have run autos up to 88 days without much depletion in buffers.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
There's barely any Mg in OSF. It's mostly Ca.
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Langbeinite if you need magnesium. It also adds some potassium and sulfur.