If you’re growing an auto, Kind Soil recommends 3 lbs in a 3 gallon pot. I have not used their suggested pots but the fabric pots on amazon work well. As far as top medium, they recommend Coco Loco and a couple other “cooler” soils. I use Promix Bx or Promix Hp because it’s available locally and pretty cheap. You could use Ocean Forest but it’s considered hot also, not quite a super soil but definitely cannabis friendly.
Sorry I haven’t got back to you sooner but it was harvest day.
Thanks @SilentHippie. Np at all. I’m living on you all’s time. Those look amazing! How long is that top bud? Thing is enormous.
So what I’m currently thinking is to use Kind Soil at the bottom and Bush Doctor Coco Loco to top it since Kind Soil recommends it. What do you think of the idea of adding the layer of Light Warrior soil at the top the way that @TommyBahama does. Would that allow me to be able to safely go from seed to harvest in one pot and if so how thick would you make the layers?
And do you know why they would recommed a three gallon pot over a five gallon? I keep reading that more space for roots the better. Is there something I’m missing or are they just trying to show the smallest, most effecient size. I’m not missing the space in the tent to go for a 5 but I don’t want to go up unless it helps but I’m also not trying to ignore their advice because it seems sound.
The tent is likely overkill. I looked at the one @Tommy Bahama posted and it looks good for what I need except for the height. Is 4’ height doable. I looked up autoflower White Widow and I see that it can get to 4’ by itself and the next strain I try is going to be an autoflower I’m sure but it may be taller. Can I get by this without affecting my results negatively. If so I think I’m going to go with the TopoLite tent recommended. I like the size of the TopoLite better too. Seems more managable as a space assuming I can grow my plants with the lights and air/charcoal filter and fans and such in it.
I think I found my tent. I get almost another foot on the height, save a bunch of money and, most importantly the tent is designed to be eco free and not offgass things that harm plants. I promise you if they harm plants they harm me and that has been a concern I’m under no illusions it fixes it but it shouldn’t do anything but help. What do you guys think?
That cola was about 8" long. My Strawberry Kush Bud of the Month cola is even bigger. She’ll come down either tomorrow or next week.
I don’t think you need the light warrior in there. The Coco Loco has some amendments but it should still be ok as is. The reason they suggest 3 gal pots for autos is that the plants will finish before they use up all the goodies in a 5 lb bag of Kind soil. I only grow photos so 5 lbs in a 5 gallon pot fills the pot about 1/2 way to 2/3.
I also start my plants in 4" seedling pots with about 1/2 cup of Kind soil in the bottom. That usually gives me about a month before they need transplant. For autos though, you want to try to start them in their final home because you don’t want to waste their shortened growing period on a week of transplant shock.
I think I have the soil worked out. I’m thinking about using three layers the way that @TommyBahama said. The bottom layer will be Kind Soil, the larger top layer will be Bush Doctor CoCo Loco and the top, small seed layer will be Coast of Main Sprout Island Blend Seed Starter. Here are the three products. Tell me what you think…
Will that give me a fighting chance at a one container, no move, no transplant grow?
I’m also leaning towards five gallons. I’m not sure they help but they don’t seem to hurt and i have the room in the tent for it so I’m leaning that way hard.
OK. Posted that before I saw that you answered. Changed my mind on the size. I’m definitely going 3 gallons if there is a benefit.
What do you think about the Sprout Island Seed Starter. I know you said the Coco Loco is probably OK with the amount of amendments added. Would this be safer or should I just skip it?
I’m gonna up the light and I’m convinced to use a 3 gallon. I’m glad you shared the ph up and down. I knew it was something I had to figure out how to do it without chemicals that hurt me. You definitely saved me that time. Thanks!
Here is what I got so far. I hope I’m honing in on it. Is anything unnecessary? I’m not trying to blow money on unnecessary things but I do need what I need to get it done right the first time.
Do I need to put the bug blocker on the intake duct or is that just a waste of money?
That is everything I know of except for the light and I’m still trying to get that optomized. It’s the most complicated part to me but I’ll get there. I used to design and build computers and this is practically the same damn thing down to the air flow and temperature control. Kinda fun now that I"m doing it.
Looks like you’re list looks pretty good. As for fans, make sure they are corded and not battery powered. You’ll chew through batteries otherwise. In your tent, 2 fans should be fine. I also use a small oscillating fan to circulate air under the canopy but it’s just what I do.
