Sharing proven soil recipe!

Dgringo69 · May 18, 2015

Hey RIU,

Just thought I would share a soil recipe that I have put together over the last few years. The beauty of this is that all you need for a standard length grow is water (non chlorinated of coarse). I have grown cannabis and veggies in it with great results. I have waxy, deep green foliage with no signs of deficiencies. Plants grow prolifically and set fruit with ease. I have grown Shark Shock CBD outdoors (July-Oct) with only well water start to finish. Tomatoes love it for sure! My latest venture with this soil is an indoor grow (Blue Kush, Pineapple Express, CR+). All are happy across the board with only well water added and are just a few weeks from finishing out. I'll get some pics of those posted soon. This recipe can take you from veg through flower with ease. The only thing I have not tested this soil with is an extended grow period such as an outdoor grow spanning April to Late October. I would suspect that some amendment of the dry fertilizer in September would be required. Enough talk. Here is the recipe. Shown in the pic is a cherry tomato in the soil at 2.5ft tall it has 52 tomatoes on it..water only.

-3.8 cuft bale Bonnie Plants, Professional Growing Mix (Peat Moss, perlite, dolomite lime, yucca extract)
-20lb earthworm castings ( I use Pachamama Earthworm Castings)
-8c of Espoma Rose Tone
-10c greensand
-Plant Success (Soluble)

Mix all dry ingredients together and then water thoroughly with plant success. I also hit mine with a good simple compost tea (Finished compost, molasses, liquid seaweed)

That is it. I suspect that the addition of Azomite would only help but I haven't added it yet.

Dankfactory · May 18, 2015

No bad vibes here dude, but you lost me at " non chlorinated water."
In the first place, most are using chlorine to some degree even if they're running RO. Carbon blocks only do so much. I come from the saltwater aquaria hobby where we know our water parameters like the back of our hand, and I run a 5 cartridge RODI unit at home. The aquariums get DI, my DWC Res gets RO, but for Organic dirt? Water right out of the tap, and my tap is loaded with chloramines(chlorine + ammonia)
The truth is, it's simply a myth that chlorine/ chloramines are detrimental to plant health or have any drastic effect on microbial life. In fact, if you go OMRI's website you'll see that mixtures of Chlorine, Sodium Hypochlorite, among others, are accepted by OMRI itself for use in Organic gardening and products. To illustrate this even further: Current Culture and their outrageously priced UCRoots which is listed as Organic, and costs approx $250 a gallon? It's simply Water and a couple milligrams of Sodium Hypochlorite( HTH Pool Shock, which can be acquired for a few dollars)

So let's get the facts straight before we embark down the road of soil recipes. But nice thread nonetheless.
Attached is a photo of some Chloramine laden, hard Tap water grown flowers.

Dgringo69 · May 18, 2015

Dankfactory said:
No bad vibes here dude, but you lost me at " non chlorinated water."
In the first place, most are using chlorine to some degree even if they're running RO. Carbon blocks only do so much. I come from the saltwater aquaria hobby where we know our water parameters like the back of our hand, and I run a 5 cartridge RODI unit at home. The aquariums get DI, my DWC Res gets RO, but for Organic dirt? Water right out of the tap, and my tap is loaded with chloramines(chlorine + ammonia)
The truth is, it's simply a myth that chlorine/ chloramines are detrimental to plant health or have any drastic effect on microbial life. In fact, if you go OMRI's website you'll see that mixtures of Chlorine, Sodium Hypochlorite, among others, are accepted by OMRI itself for use in Organic gardening and products. To illustrate this even further: Current Culture and their outrageously priced UCRoots which is listed as Organic, and costs approx $250 a gallon? It's simply Water and a couple milligrams of Sodium Hypochlorite( HTH Pool Shock, which can be acquired for a few dollars)

So let's get the facts straight before we embark down the road of soil recipes. But nice thread nonetheless.
Attached is a photo of some Chloramine laden, hard Tap water grown flowers.

That's all fine and dandy scientific stuff there but here is the deal. I use well water. To follow scientific law, I listed unchlorinated water because I did not use chlorinated water in anything I've grown with this soil. Chlorinated water may have had little to no affect but I don't know that, so I didn't say that. Thanks for clearing the air but the fact stands that any organic gardener, by general practice, will not suggest using chlorinated water although the proof is out there that chlorine Leyden water can yield quality product.

Dankfactory · May 18, 2015

Dgringo69 said:
That's all fine and dandy scientific stuff there but here is the deal. I use well water. To follow scientific law, I listed unchlorinated water because I did not use chlorinated water in anything I've grown with this soil. Chlorinated water may have had little to no affect but I don't know that, so I didn't say that. Thanks for clearing the air but the fact stands that any organic gardener, by general practice, will not suggest using chlorinated water although the proof is out there that chlorine Leyden water can yield quality product.

Some more "scientific stuff" for your thread. Well water is typically absolutely loaded with toxic metals, of which are, just to name a few... Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead, etc, etc, etc. So, just for the record; If we are talking about "general practice," as it relates to the philosophy of Organics and well being, then it would be morbidly hypocritical for any gardener to advise against Chlorine, especially while watering their garden with Well water. Salts are Salts are Salts. Boron is boron. Copper is copper. And dude: I just cant let this preposterous statement go unrebuttaled. "The fact stands that any organic gardener, by general practice, will not suggest using chlorinated water."
"General practice?" As if to say that it is generally commonplace for today's Organic gardener to not use chlorinated water? In other words, the average Organic gardener today is running DI Resin and Chloramine removal cartridges to rid their municipal water supply of all incarnations of Chlorine? And yet this same Organic gardener doesn't pay any mind to all of the other harmful elements contained in the periodic table? Im sorry dude. Nonsense.
Its not my intent to be hostile, but I adhere to the code of calling out bullshit when I see it. And Im afraid alot of your understanding of Water itself is just that: bullshit.

But I dont doubt youve had good results with your soil recipe.

T.H.Cammo · May 18, 2015

It seems that this thread has been transformed into an arguement over the widely held belief that Chlorine in the water is something to be avoided.

I have always just accepted that (becuase it sounds logical), without any real research. Now, Dankfactory comes along and turns my whole "Chlorinated Water Wold" on it's tiny little head! I am speechless!

Where have I been? I seem to have missed all the "Chlorine is ok" threads here on ROLLITUP. Is this a "New Wave" of discovery, or just a single observation?

But I digress! This thread started out to be about Dgringo 69's soil recipe (which I found intrigueing). I think Dankfactory should back-off, and maybe start a new thread about how beniegn Chlorine is.

Dankfactory · May 18, 2015

Haha.. Man. It truly is the blind leading the blind around here.

So, Cammo, just to clarify. You frame your cultivation knowledge strictly on thread content, or rather, a lack thereof, in relation to data that can easily be obtained yourself with a few clicks of your browser? In this case, simply by visiting your local municipal water source metadata, which is published regularly, providing a detailed analysis of all kinds of variables, including of course.. Chlorine? Tell me: How is it inside the bubble dude?

Do you truly require a "Chlorine is ok" thread(s) to bolster your position on the matter, rather than coming to the common sense realization that the elements are only removed via extensive filtration?

Copy that dude. Just clarifying.

That was rhetorical of course, since this fabled "widely held belief"( I legitimately laughed out loud at this, however Im not fond of the "LOL" acronym so I wont use it here) may exist in the less informed group of cannabis enthusiasts, however if you ever venture into the more advanced and obscure corners of Hydro, specifically Deep Water Culture, you will see that everybody has long embraced Chlorine, H202, Chloramine and its related inocculants for so called "Sterile" water culture methods.
No but for real dude."Widely held belief"...That was pure Gold!Thanks for that.

Again, it wasnt my intent to be hostile in this thread, or to hijack the content. Dgringo already previously posted this exact thread, which was hijacked under another forum heading which can be seen here
https://www.rollitup.org/t/sharing-proven-soil-recipe.871242/page-4#post-11602366

However, when one starts a thread of this nature, they are potentially "teaching" novice growers. Im of the persuasion that you better know your material before you purport to teach it. For the integrity of not only the thread itself, but the forum in general.
Unfortunately it cant always be High Fives and Good Vibes dudes.

Carry on with the lesson

T.H.Cammo · May 19, 2015

You come off like a really angry person who feels obligated to convince everybody that he is right - lighten up! You go on and on about what you assumed I meant; yet you really missed the whole point of what I was saying.

"So, Cammo, just to clarify. You frame your cultivation knowledge strictly on thread content, or rather, a lack thereof, in relation to data that can easily be obtained yourself with a few clicks of your browser?"
I never said that about "cultivation knowledge" in general. I was only refering to "the widely held belief that Chlorine in the water is something to be avoided". I freely admitted that I had not done any reshearch on the issue - for over a decade it has been, pretty much, a unanimouse belief. Yours is the first post I have ever seen to challange that idea. So yah, I was a little surprised by your comments.

In this case, simply by visiting your local municipal water source metadata, which is published regularly, providing a detailed analysis of all kinds of variables, including of course.. Chlorine?
Of course they're going to tell me there is Chlorine in the water - we already know that, what's your point?

Tell me: How is it inside the bubble dude?
It's like I said in the ffirst sentence

Do you truly require a "Chlorine is ok" thread(s) to bolster your position on the matter, rather than coming to the common sense realization that the elements are only removed via extensive filtration?
Maybe I dol! Like I said, your's is the the first post I have seen that goes against the "Chlorine is bad" idea. You may, well, be absolutely correct - but what I am seeing is "One vote" against everybody else. I am open to the idea that, after some research, my whole attitude about Chlorine may change! I subscribe to the common sense realization that due to the volitility of Chlorine, it is rendered "harmless" after a few hours of active aeriation, or 48 hours of passive aeriation - no filtration required.

That was rhetorical of course, since this fabled "widely held belief"( I legitimately laughed out loud at this, however Im not fond of the "LOL" acronym so I wont use it here) may exist in the less informed group of cannabis enthusiasts, however if you ever venture into the more advanced and obscure corners of Hydro, specifically Deep Water Culture, you will see that everybody has long embraced Chlorine, H202, Chloramine and its related inocculants for so called "Sterile" water culture methods.
No but for real dude."Widely held belief"...That was pure Gold!Thanks for that.
I don't do Hydro, so I'm not familiar with what they do,or think, or "know". I'm sorry that you stumbled into this "less informed group of cannabis enthusiasts", but you might have noticed that this thread was about a soil recipe - not a friggin' Hydro res. Wether that "Widely held belief" is right or wrong isn't really the point here - you seem to scoff at the idea that it is really a "Widely held belief" , perhaps you should familiarize yourself with what soil growers think of Chlorine before you come in here pissing all over the place.

Again, it wasnt my intent to be hostile in this thread, or to hijack the content. Dgringo already previously posted this exact thread, which was hijacked under another forum heading which can be seen here
https://www.rollitup.org/t/sharing-proven-soil-recipe.871242/page-4#post-11602366
Yeah, I know, it happens all the time! That's what I was responding to.

However, when one starts a thread of this nature, they are potentially "teaching" novice growers. Im of the persuasion that you better know your material before you purport to teach it. For the integrity of not only the thread itself, but the forum in general.
Unfortunately it cant always be High Fives and Good Vibes dudes.
Okay, no foul, no harm! I do agree that we have far too many people on here that just spout really stupid misinformation.

T.H.Cammo · May 19, 2015

Okay, so I just did a little research on Chlorine and it's effect on soil grown plants. Here's what I did: I Googled this question "Is Chlorine in the water bad for plants?". I read the "Top-Ten" on the list. I was surprised to get such varied results - there was no clear winner! Some said it was "Debatable", some actually said "Little or no difference", most said it was bad but that was mostly "opinion" rather than "data".

It all seems to come down to the amount of Chlorine that we are talking about. Chlorine is a required Trace Element for Cannabis (minute quantities), but we already knew that. The amount of Chlorine that is put into City Water can be toxic to the micro-organisms that are needed in Organic Soil grows, we knew that too - but this is where the debate comes in! Does the Chlorine really kill off enough of the micro-organisms to be detrimental - or is there "Little or no affect". I think we need to hear from more Soil Growers that are very well versed on "The Chlorine Issue".

On the other hand! Hydroponics don't rely on Micro-organisms to break down the nutrients; so as long as the plants can tolerate the level of Chlorine eveything is cool and the res should stay, relitively, algae free.

I can see why Hydro growers don't care about Chlorine - but for soil growers, the jury is still out! This requires more time than I am willing to spend right now!

Dgringo69 · May 20, 2015

Dankfactory said:
Haha.. Man. It truly is the blind leading the blind around here.

So, Cammo, just to clarify. You frame your cultivation knowledge strictly on thread content, or rather, a lack thereof, in relation to data that can easily be obtained yourself with a few clicks of your browser? In this case, simply by visiting your local municipal water source metadata, which is published regularly, providing a detailed analysis of all kinds of variables, including of course.. Chlorine? Tell me: How is it inside the bubble dude?

Do you truly require a "Chlorine is ok" thread(s) to bolster your position on the matter, rather than coming to the common sense realization that the elements are only removed via extensive filtration?

Copy that dude. Just clarifying.

That was rhetorical of course, since this fabled "widely held belief"( I legitimately laughed out loud at this, however Im not fond of the "LOL" acronym so I wont use it here) may exist in the less informed group of cannabis enthusiasts, however if you ever venture into the more advanced and obscure corners of Hydro, specifically Deep Water Culture, you will see that everybody has long embraced Chlorine, H202, Chloramine and its related inocculants for so called "Sterile" water culture methods.
No but for real dude."Widely held belief"...That was pure Gold!Thanks for that.

Again, it wasnt my intent to be hostile in this thread, or to hijack the content. Dgringo already previously posted this exact thread, which was hijacked under another forum heading which can be seen here
https://www.rollitup.org/t/sharing-proven-soil-recipe.871242/page-4#post-11602366

However, when one starts a thread of this nature, they are potentially "teaching" novice growers. Im of the persuasion that you better know your material before you purport to teach it. For the integrity of not only the thread itself, but the forum in general.
Unfortunately it cant always be High Fives and Good Vibes dudes.

Carry on with the lesson

Lol. Yeah. They hijacked the shit out of that one buddy. Damn that Phil! No biggie. The point was to share a soil recipe and that was successful upon posting. What happens afterwards is all gravy. I'm interested in your chlorine schpeel. Although I hate to think that my well water is as tainted as you say. In the limestone hill country of Texas, we are abundant with natural springs and a huge aquifer that has no large cities sitting atop it. Maybe, just maybe my water ain't so bad.

vitamin_green_inc · May 20, 2015

Tainted? Or full of good minerals? Where I'm from we have heavily laden wtaer(with nutes) and the locals teeth aren't oretyy, but famn are they healthy...does that mean that your water is bad?
Your soil recipe is nice and a easy-pretty much good to go organic mix. The greensand takes so long to break down in not sure it's absolutly neccesary unless you are reusing it? Not only Azomite, but many other minerals and Nutes could be added to diversify your mix for more complexity but it's a good soil

Dankfactory · May 20, 2015

T.H.Cammo said:
Okay, so I just did a little research on Chlorine and it's effect on soil grown plants. Here's what I did: I Googled this question "Is Chlorine in the water bad for plants?". I read the "Top-Ten" on the list. I was surprised to get such varied results - there was no clear winner! Some said it was "Debatable", some actually said "Little or no difference", most said it was bad but that was mostly "opinion" rather than "data".

It all seems to come down to the amount of Chlorine that we are talking about. Chlorine is a required Trace Element for Cannabis (minute quantities), but we already knew that. The amount of Chlorine that is put into City Water can be toxic to the micro-organisms that are needed in Organic Soil grows, we knew that too - but this is where the debate comes in! Does the Chlorine really kill off enough of the micro-organisms to be detrimental - or is there "Little or no affect". I think we need to hear from more Soil Growers that are very well versed on "The Chlorine Issue".

On the other hand! Hydroponics don't rely on Micro-organisms to break down the nutrients; so as long as the plants can tolerate the level of Chlorine eveything is cool and the res should stay, relitively, algae free.

I can see why Hydro growers don't care about Chlorine - but for soil growers, the jury is still out! This requires more time than I am willing to spend right now!

Sorry dudes. I work as a Paramedic so my shifts are a bit unusual. But I just poured a glass of wine, and whats this?! Some actual cold, hard Research has been endeavored upon in the meantime? Thatta boy Dude!!!! Fuck yeah! See, we're actually getting somewhere now, instead of just spewing bullshit and irresponsible conjecture! I like it. This is what the forum setting is all about.

In response to this point, and Im so stoked that someone actually took the initiative to look some shit up instead of just relying on heresay, that I simply have no negative vibes left in me, but I will only say this: Get a mental visual on your local health food store. WholeFoods, for example. Now envision the organic section. How do you think that produce was grown? Are these farms running their municipal water supplies through carbon blocks, removing chlorine and other elements, prior to watering the fields of Kale, Tomatoes, Spinach, etc, etc, etc? Of course not. What does that tell you about the effects of these elements on the end product?

I dont claim to know all of the answers, dude. Anybody who stakes this claim is full of shit. There is something to be learned everyday about the art of cultivation. You do bring up an interesting point however: what is the effect of chlorine, chloramines etc on established microbial life in the soil root zone setting? Great question. Do I have the answer to that? I do not. I have a degree in Hydrology, which I obtained when I initially planned on a career in water treatment, but Im not a Chemist, or a Biologist. My only reasoning behind bringing light to the topic, was simply because one of the first recommendations of Dgringo's thread was to water with dechlorinated water. Indeed, we got a bit off track, but it had to be addressed. And Dgringo, never did I once say(go ahead and review that previous post) that the content in your well water would be detrimental to gardening. It simply cannot be reconciled by anyone even slightly familiar with general chemistry to recommend against something like chlorine, while watering with that particular water source. By the way, my ideology isnt "organic dirt vs dwc." Ive grown in dirt for over a decade. Im currently framing up a new DWC room. I just ordered my new chiller yesterday actually. In the meantime however, Ive ran the last two cycles in dirt, the last harvest of which is from the following photo. One of six tables, watered with hard water straight out of the tap. Personally, Im convinced that those microbes are doing just fine.

Silky T · May 21, 2015

Dankfactory said:
Sorry dudes. I work as a Paramedic so my shifts are a bit unusual. But I just poured a glass of wine, and whats this?! Some actual cold, hard Research has been endeavored upon in the meantime? Thatta boy Dude!!!! Fuck yeah! See, we're actually getting somewhere now, instead of just spewing bullshit and irresponsible conjecture! I like it. This is what the forum setting is all about.

In response to this point, and Im so stoked that someone actually took the initiative to look some shit up instead of just relying on heresay, that I simply have no negative vibes left in me, but I will only say this: Get a mental visual on your local health food store. WholeFoods, for example. Now envision the organic section. How do you think that produce was grown? Are these farms running their municipal water supplies through carbon blocks, removing chlorine and other elements, prior to watering the fields of Kale, Tomatoes, Spinach, etc, etc, etc? Of course not. What does that tell you about the effects of these elements on the end product?

I dont claim to know all of the answers, dude. Anybody who stakes this claim is full of shit. There is something to be learned everyday about the art of cultivation. You do bring up an interesting point however: what is the effect of chlorine, chloramines etc on established microbial life in the soil root zone setting? Great question. Do I have the answer to that? I do not. I have a degree in Hydrology, which I obtained when I initially planned on a career in water treatment, but Im not a Chemist, or a Biologist. My only reasoning behind bringing light to the topic, was simply because one of the first recommendations of Dgringo's thread was to water with dechlorinated water. Indeed, we got a bit off track, but it had to be addressed. And Dgringo, never did I once say(go ahead and review that previous post) that the content in your well water would be detrimental to gardening. It simply cannot be reconciled by anyone even slightly familiar with general chemistry to recommend against something like chlorine, while watering with that particular water source. By the way, my ideology isnt "organic dirt vs dwc." Ive grown in dirt for over a decade. Im currently framing up a new DWC room. I just ordered my new chiller yesterday actually. In the meantime however, Ive ran the last two cycles in dirt, the last harvest of which is from the following photo. One of six tables, watered with hard water straight out of the tap. Personally, Im convinced that those microbes are doing just fine.
View attachment 3423701

Honestly? You grew these babies with simple tap water? I wish I had YOUR tap water! I wouldn't think that it would be safe to do that but what do I know? I'm still playing with my colored water (the pH color table) and making a mess But I'm lovin' every mintues of it. Good job! Luv ya man! ;-)

st0wandgrow · May 22, 2015

Dankfactory said:
Haha.. Man. It truly is the blind leading the blind around here.

So, Cammo, just to clarify. You frame your cultivation knowledge strictly on thread content, or rather, a lack thereof, in relation to data that can easily be obtained yourself with a few clicks of your browser? In this case, simply by visiting your local municipal water source metadata, which is published regularly, providing a detailed analysis of all kinds of variables, including of course.. Chlorine? Tell me: How is it inside the bubble dude?

Do you truly require a "Chlorine is ok" thread(s) to bolster your position on the matter, rather than coming to the common sense realization that the elements are only removed via extensive filtration?

Copy that dude. Just clarifying.

That was rhetorical of course, since this fabled "widely held belief"( I legitimately laughed out loud at this, however Im not fond of the "LOL" acronym so I wont use it here) may exist in the less informed group of cannabis enthusiasts, however if you ever venture into the more advanced and obscure corners of Hydro, specifically Deep Water Culture, you will see that everybody has long embraced Chlorine, H202, Chloramine and its related inocculants for so called "Sterile" water culture methods.
No but for real dude."Widely held belief"...That was pure Gold!Thanks for that.

Again, it wasnt my intent to be hostile in this thread, or to hijack the content. Dgringo already previously posted this exact thread, which was hijacked under another forum heading which can be seen here
https://www.rollitup.org/t/sharing-proven-soil-recipe.871242/page-4#post-11602366

However, when one starts a thread of this nature, they are potentially "teaching" novice growers. Im of the persuasion that you better know your material before you purport to teach it. For the integrity of not only the thread itself, but the forum in general.
Unfortunately it cant always be High Fives and Good Vibes dudes.

Carry on with the lesson

Why do municipalities add chlorine/chloramines to drinking water? Why do people add chlorine/chloramines to swimming pools?

Answer that, and I think you'll answer the question why people growing in organic soil (who rely upon microorganisms to mineralize, and deliver to the plant its nutrients) try to avoid dumping it on their soil.

I suppose we could question the level of chloramines used in tap water, and if those levels would in fact be harmful to the soil food web. That I do not know. I use a $99 single stage carbon filter that claims to remove 93% of chloramines, and it does not waste a drop of water unlike most RO systems. Am I wasting my time with this unit? I don't think so, but I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the subject, so perhaps I am....

chuck estevez · May 22, 2015

st0wandgrow said:
Why do municipalities add chlorine/chloramines to drinking water? Why do people add chlorine/chloramines to swimming pools?

Answer that, and I think you'll answer the question why people growing in organic soil (who rely upon microorganisms to mineralize, and deliver to the plant its nutrients) try to avoid dumping it on their soil.

I suppose we could question the level of chloramines used in tap water, and if those levels would in fact be harmful to the soil food web. That I do not know. I use a $99 single stage carbon filter that claims to remove 93% of chloramines, and it does not waste a drop of water unlike most RO systems. Am I wasting my time with this unit? I don't think so, but I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the subject, so perhaps I am....

ALSO, WHY do you need to remove it from the water for fish to live in it? Seems for things to live in water, the less is better.

Why Do I Need a Dechlorinator
Most (if not all) municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine, chloramine, or both. Often holding tanks for wells in rural communities, farms, and ranches are are also similarly treated. These chemicals are necessary to kill off any harmful bacteria or other pathogens which get into the water.

Though the dosages of these chemicals in the water supply are low enough that they are not harmful to land animals (including people, dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, etc) or house plants, they are high enough to cause damage to your biological filter. This damage will allow ammonia to start to build up in the tank, eventually becoming harmful to your fish. For this reason it is important that you treat your water to remove chlorine with an appropriate dechlorinator before you add it to your tank.
http://www.firsttankguide.net/dechlorinator.php

Alexander Supertramp · May 22, 2015

Dankfactory said:
Sorry dudes. I work as a Paramedic so my shifts are a bit unusual. But I just poured a glass of wine, and whats this?! Some actual cold, hard Research has been endeavored upon in the meantime? Thatta boy Dude!!!! Fuck yeah! See, we're actually getting somewhere now, instead of just spewing bullshit and irresponsible conjecture! I like it. This is what the forum setting is all about.

In response to this point, and Im so stoked that someone actually took the initiative to look some shit up instead of just relying on heresay, that I simply have no negative vibes left in me, but I will only say this: Get a mental visual on your local health food store. WholeFoods, for example. Now envision the organic section. How do you think that produce was grown? Are these farms running their municipal water supplies through carbon blocks, removing chlorine and other elements, prior to watering the fields of Kale, Tomatoes, Spinach, etc, etc, etc? Of course not. What does that tell you about the effects of these elements on the end product?

I dont claim to know all of the answers, dude. Anybody who stakes this claim is full of shit. There is something to be learned everyday about the art of cultivation. You do bring up an interesting point however: what is the effect of chlorine, chloramines etc on established microbial life in the soil root zone setting? Great question. Do I have the answer to that? I do not. I have a degree in Hydrology, which I obtained when I initially planned on a career in water treatment, but Im not a Chemist, or a Biologist. My only reasoning behind bringing light to the topic, was simply because one of the first recommendations of Dgringo's thread was to water with dechlorinated water. Indeed, we got a bit off track, but it had to be addressed. And Dgringo, never did I once say(go ahead and review that previous post) that the content in your well water would be detrimental to gardening. It simply cannot be reconciled by anyone even slightly familiar with general chemistry to recommend against something like chlorine, while watering with that particular water source. By the way, my ideology isnt "organic dirt vs dwc." Ive grown in dirt for over a decade. Im currently framing up a new DWC room. I just ordered my new chiller yesterday actually. In the meantime however, Ive ran the last two cycles in dirt, the last harvest of which is from the following photo. One of six tables, watered with hard water straight out of the tap. Personally, Im convinced that those microbes are doing just fine.
View attachment 3423701

Pretty colors...from deficiencies!

chuck estevez · May 22, 2015

I have always thought that the "home Grown" taste that rookies get when growing, comes from using tap water with lots of chlorine in it.

Alexander Supertramp · May 22, 2015

Plants actually require trace amounts of chlorine. And the majority of municipal water sources contain such low amounts it really is not an issue for most plants or medium beneficials. Its always best to get a report from your supplier, always good to know what your base is. Chloramine, which is a by product of ammonia be adding along with chlorine to disinfect water is a totally different beast. Unfortunately this has become a much more common way to disinfect, . Get a report and know what you are working with.

Tone5500 · May 22, 2015

This discussion always reminds me of the defoilation topic .

Dankfactory · May 29, 2015

Alexander Supertramp said:
Plants actually require trace amounts of chlorine. And the majority of municipal water sources contain such low amounts it really is not an issue for most plants or medium beneficials. Its always best to get a report from your supplier, always good to know what your base is. Chloramine, which is a by product of ammonia be adding along with chlorine to disinfect water is a totally different beast. Unfortunately this has become a much more common way to disinfect, . Get a report and know what you are working with.

AS: indeed, everyone should seek out the analysis of their water content.
By the way, since we're on the topic, I'm curious to what your cannabis water source is. Not the content metadata, but the source itself. Tap? RO? Well?

Dankfactory · May 29, 2015

chuck estevez said:
ALSO, WHY do you need to remove it from the water for fish to live in it? Seems for things to live in water, the less is better.

Why Do I Need a Dechlorinator
Most (if not all) municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine, chloramine, or both. Often holding tanks for wells in rural communities, farms, and ranches are are also similarly treated. These chemicals are necessary to kill off any harmful bacteria or other pathogens which get into the water.

Though the dosages of these chemicals in the water supply are low enough that they are not harmful to land animals (including people, dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, etc) or house plants, they are high enough to cause damage to your biological filter. This damage will allow ammonia to start to build up in the tank, eventually becoming harmful to your fish. For this reason it is important that you treat your water to remove chlorine with an appropriate dechlorinator before you add it to your tank.
http://www.firsttankguide.net/dechlorinator.php

A truly hilarious post. That's your ace in the hole dude? A fish link? So in other words, you've arrived at the conclusion that all organisms on planet earth are equally effected by chemicals and the elements?
So, with that line of thought in mind: Substrate dwelling mycorrhizae organisms VS organisms such as dinoflagellates, which can and do survive and thrive in freezing ice water, are biologically vulnerable to the same exogenous variables?
And this same ideology applies to aquarium fish vs soil microbes?

Be so kind as to elaborate with some actual data. At your convenience of course.

Sharing proven soil recipe!

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