New Grower Which soil to use

[joshua311]

Quick question. What is the best soil in your opinion for newb grower? I have two plants currently growing with sunshine advanced mix#4. The plants are growing well but I am still fighting some problems. My question is what is the best soil. Until I get some grows under my belt I may stay away from soilless mixes. I waited to long to feed my plants so I am still trying to fix that. I am going to make my long journey to the hydro store to pick some stuff up so I figured I would get a new medium while I was at. Thanks a bunch AFN

 

[F.N.]

I would suggest soiless mix is does not compact it always make sure air is getting to the root. If you go with a triple mix we call it in canada top soil cow manure and sheep manure throw in lots of perlite vermiculite and some bone and blood meal too that is what i would do. Soiless mixes are some of the most forgiving grow mediums available if you over fert easy to flush first few feed keep it to a quater to half strength then give er

 

[calitree2263]

I use Black gold natural & organic. I've had success with OF, but I now prefer Black gold after trying it.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

Id use organic MG ,Dr. Earth Black bag,Mana Mix or Black gold. if your using chems a soilless is best.But soilless and/or organic is fine if your organic and feeding as such.just mix your soil(s) decent n you'll be fine.But id recommend getting black gold or Mana mix. and a black gold seedling mix too.should do ya fine id think.

 

[F.N.]

I see u are using some of the best soiless mix on the planet. What problems have you ran into? Maybe you can get them sorted out without changing just a thought,

 

[TheSpacePope]

I am actually not a fan of black gold, had lots of buddies use them and got fungus gnats from contamination and wasnt a isolated thing (even happened to my no fun house plants) . Sunshine #4 supposed to be pretty good. Others : Roots organic Original mix , alotta people use Fox farms(OF &HF and mix it cuz its pretty hot for seed starting) another company is Pro-Mix and they have a organic option if you can find it.

Also stay away from amending the media till you get a few runs under your belt or you could be chasing a problem your whole grow (been there, done that, got the shirt:stoneslap.

Like vermiculite is awesome for outdoor growers but indoors I wouldnt (mold or root rot), because it really retains water, indoors you really want the opposite without going to a hydro (drip) media.

 

[Muddy]

I would recommend you stay with the Sunshine #4 or another good soil less mix until you get a few grows under your belt. Soil less mediums are much easier to control your feeds and your pH. Since they contain no nutrients if you do run into an issue, it's usually either your feeding schedule or the pH. Once you start factoring in soil amendments it becomes a bit harder to diagnose any issues.

 

[yodabuds]

Can not say enough good about sunshine mix #4! It's ph out of the bag is usually 6.5! On the money... It's the reason I switched from pro-mix to sunshine mix as when the pots would Accidently dry out in the promix the plants looked like they almost would die (promix has a ph of 7) never experienced that with the sunshine mix... :tiphat: I LOVE to experiment and have tried several grow styles soil, soilless like pro-mix and sunshine mix, nft, DWC, hempy, and now giving straight up coco a go... Def a learning curve here soil to me as muddy said was the hardest... Mad :respect: for all you tlo growers! Now that's one adventure I haven't taken on nor do I see myself in the near future...I will be trying all canna nutes and teas one of these days with the coco, for now been using the AN ph perfect for coco and the reg an nutes before.... It's growing for dummies sunshine mix and an nutes with ro water YOU CANT GO WRONG!
:Sharing One:

 

[Needtoknowautos]

Ok so I'm liking this talk about sunshine #4. I've never tried soil less nor do I even know what it looks like. Can it go into regular pots? What about my smart pots? And can I use my 3 part advanced nutrients jungle juice on them?

 

[Muddy]

Ok so I'm liking this talk about sunshine #4. I've never tried soil less nor do I even know what it looks like. Can it go into regular pots? What about my smart pots? And can I use my 3 part advanced nutrients jungle juice on them?

Soil less mediums like Sunshine #4 and Pro Mix are made up of Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, dolomite lime and a wetting agent. They do not contain any amendments like worm castings, guano or composted manure. They can be used in any type pot with any nutrient line. Since they contain no nutrients it is up to the grower to supply everything the plant needs.