Water only soil for autos... Discussion...

So I have been thinking a lot about "supersoil" for autos. I know this is a method that gets used. I have been wondering about what to use for soil so the plant uptakes most of the nutrients in the soil because you can't really flush organic soil like synthetic...

Any thoughts?

I was thinking longer finishing, bigger autos could get a light mix on top with a 50/50 mix of light mix and legit super soil on bottom... Or maybe a 75/25 mix of super soil to light mix.

For the legit fast finishing 8-9 weekish autos maybe a light mix on top and a 50/50 mix of fox farms ocean Forrest and strawberry fields? What do you guys think? I know autos don't need as many nutes as photos.

Just do a supersoil at 2/3 or half of the normal amendments. I don’t think regular supersoil at the bottom would work because autoflowers taproot go straight to the bottom of the pot before it grows out.

Obepawn said:

Just do a supersoil at 2/3 or half of the normal amendments. I don’t think regular supersoil at the bottom would work because autoflowers taproot go straight to the bottom of the pot before it grows out.

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I am not going to make my own super soil for now... I have access to bagged super soil at the local hydro store. I have some photoperiod plants going outdoors in this stuff now and they look great... And they say with autos you can stunt their initial growth if you plant them directly in soil with too many nutrients. Which is why Mephisto recommends filling the bottom 1/3rd of the container with super soil.

Gotcha

Peat, pearlite, mix cut with 1/3 chunky coir.

Add bacteria, a nice 4/3/2 organic manure pellet or equivalent down deep not mixed in. Another handful of pellets on top around the edges.

Worm castings, biochar, are good.

Fish emulsion at during flower if needed.

Save soil compost and recycle make into super soil over time.

I found a mix online of prepackaged amendments specifically for autos. It's pricy though... $20 for a mix that makes enough super soil for the bottom 1/3rd of a 5 gallon pots.

I personally don't like a bottom filled with something way to strong for a young plant.

Then again, I am one of those "weird" organics people. Think REV's TLO, early 2000's kinda stuff. LOL

I like to build my container, with clumps of nutrients here and there..... let the roots find what they need. NOT force feed with a homogeneous media.

I fell this is especially true when building a water only plant it and forget it set up. Clumps of nutrients are the way to go.

Most importantly the media must be biologically active. Soil biology will buffer PH and take the burn out of organic nutrients.

So I question super soil that would burn? Tells me not long enough cook time, and or lack of soil life.

Bio char along with Mycorrhizai, acrchea, bacteria, nematodes and earthworms are a must have in a water only container. (IMO)

No PH swings, no burning, no crappy chemical weed flavors. Flushing is not part of a truely living organic setup..

Feed the soil not the plant...Symbiotic harmony between plant and soil life....