Hello all! So I am curious what the best living organic soil is? I have looked a few places online like buildasoil and Kis organics but shipping is quite pricy. Does anyone have any other recommendations that give great results? I currently use fox farm ocean forest and want something better. If the two I listed are the best then that’s good to know too lol.
Oh and I don’t really want to make my own because I feel that would be too difficult…
Great Lakes soil
Kind soil
Are both ready to use out of the bag living soils. @Mrcrabs @Budbrother probably could steer you in the living soil direction better than I could. I have an idea of what needs to in, but I don’t want to give you bad advice either.
(Thanks @Budbrother @Mrcrabs
Thanks!!
You can make any medium living though that just means it has active bacteria and probably mycos I turned my coco coir into “living” with 20% compost and a dose of fish s#!t sample bottle and if you want to really make it living introduce worms I dont bother though instead opting for molasses in the water to keep microbe density high since I don’t need that much nitrogen with autoflowers
What molasses do you use?
Just whatever unsulphured blackstrap molasses your local grocery store has
Coast of Maine has great soil.
Are fungus gnats ever an issue?
How much and how often do you give the molasses?
You’re right, that is good soil, and I forgot about that one.
Usually 1/2 Tbsp every gallon every non fertilizer watering
Thanks for the tag… @Covertgrower…and belated Merry Christmas… living soil is fantastic when done right… I use pro mix as my base soil for seedlings and clones… I add a bit extra perlite and vermiculite that’s about it…when making my soil I use my own compost…mixed with a few of my additives… such a as badly insect frass… bone char… bio char, charged high in nitrogen… gypsum… perlite and vermiculite… And that’s about it for my bottom half of my pots…I just stated adding rabbit poop … top feed … under my mulch during vegg with great results… I have abandoned making compost teas… and run water Just straight rain water thru the whole grow… really just feeding the microbes not the plants… During flowering will added Unsulfured molasses very and water… good luck my friend
Sallysue-
You had a question about fungus gnats being an issue. Fungus gnats tend to show up if you are overwatering. As long as you aren’t overwatering and have some good air movement around your plant(s) you should be ok. I am relatively new to organic growing (dont like the word “organic”- too trendy, and lots of things claim to be organic but they are not. I prefer “natural”). Good luck on your grow. You mentioned build a soil and another company above. I have been happy with build a soil, and I think budbrother uses them too. I make my living soil and I think you could too. Its like following the recipe for a cake. I only make enough for one or two plants. I mix mine in a tote thats not that big. But if you dont feel comfortable making it they have given you some companies where you can buy yours. When you get to where you are ready to grow you may want to start your own forum. If you ever need any help you
can tag people to help you. To tag someone just type @ and their name. So to tag me just type @patchman. Simple. There are a lot of great people in the forum, and they can help you. Welcome!
I guess I just have no idea what to add to a soil and my hand was recently broken so it may be hard lol. I am good at a cooking so maybe I’ll give it a shot. About the fungus gnats so I believe the soil I was using had them and then contaminated them all. So now it’s an uphill battle. I’ve tried a lot of products, currently I used mosquito bits two days ago and when I looked last night I don’t think they worked. I believe I need to use them again.
Try spraying your soil with hydrogen peroxide mixed with water,about 20% peroxide and 80% water. Drench the soil and they should die on contact,and it kills larve.Wont hurt the soil it actually degrades into oxygen which your soil loves.
I’ve heard that’s bad for the roots is that true? Also should I use a sprayer to do? Like a pressure sprayer.
I just use a small hand spray bottle.It’s never caused me any problems and I have used it twice this year.I just wet the top good and that’s it. Let’s tag @Myfriendis410 and get his opinion.
What strength do you use? I’ve seen like 70/80/90
20-30% H.P.,then lightly moisten the surface of the dirt.
Thank you so much i am trying this tonight when my lights go back on.
