So I was going to build my own soil but I’ve been reading a lot on the forum that if I didn’t know for sure then it could be a bad idea. So I ordered my 2 bags of FFOF and now I have the blood meal, the worm castings, and tomato tone left over. Can I still incorporate these with the Fox Farm or should I just return them? Thanks
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I would give it a few weeks to a month. ffof is pretty strong right out of the bag. I use tomato tone and bone meal as well in some grows. Just tops dress it in 2tbsps per gallon on the tomato tone, and a tbsp or 2 of bone meal in a few weeks.
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I also get dolamite lime to help stabilize the ph amd gives calcium and a bag a perlite which is essential especially mixing in worm castings which btw i love using.
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Thank you! I’m also going to use the grow big, tiger bloom, and big bloom throughout the grow process. Should I still use the tomato tone as a top dress?
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Yeah I have the perlite as well that I’ll be mixing in with the Fox Farm soil. So the worm castings should be okay to mix in with the soil? How much of the worm castings do you add and how often?
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Yes, i mix over 30% wormcastings and 35% pelite. Thats just my personal style. Not saying its how ur supposed to do it. Growing in general is just preferance.
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If you use the bone meal or blood mean or any of that stuff use it sparingly. Read directions. I gitncarried away before and learned the hard way
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No, I would feed one way or the other. Either bottle nutes or organic.
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Awesome man! Thank you for the info
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Not always but i sometimes use bottled nutes in full bloom. Usually not heavy but i do here and there. But all veg and stretch phase i dont add anything. Maybe rhino skin
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Yeah it can be done. But if I was a new grower I think picking a style and learning it is the way to go. When running organics I stay in the 1400 to 2200 ppm range. If that was ppm for synthetic my plants would be all kinds of burnt up. I think advice from the forum would be harder to give running both for a new grower and flushing would be a nightmare. I am not saying it can not be done but for easy of learning. Growing is so fun because everyone figure their way out. Your soul additives look alot like mine. Thats all I use, and some home made compost and teas.
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I completely agree. But was just saying that it dont have to be just one or the other by preference but yes for a newbie its would be safer to pick ine or the other which in my opinion better off with properly mixed super soil over bottled nutes cause being uneducated on salt build ups snd ppms and all that it becomes a shit show
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Ya buddy you are 100% correct. Build ups suck, and a good mixed super soil is far easier.
Now when using FF nutrients that I have should I still flush the soil every two weeks once the vegetation stage starts?
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I only flush if I have a problem. If you keep the nutes low and make sure to get run off, you shouldn’t have to flush much if at all. I suggest starting nutes about 3 to 4 weeks in. When the ppm of your run off falls below 800 or so. And then only half strength of the FF schedule or less. I use to follow the feed, water, water, water, feed schedule and it normally worked well to keep my ppms in check. In veg they are fine around 500ppm and in flower I keep them at 1000 ppm. Thats the 500 scale. FF schedule uses the 700 scale but even their suggested ppm is super high and always causes burnt plants and lockouts. Thats why most say use half or less. Hope this helps. And these are just my preferences nothing set in stone.
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Thanks man I really do appreciate all the information! There’s always things to learn! It’s gonna be fun
Agreed I only flush when I’m having an issue to other than that there’s no need to flush especially if you have proper super soil mix. And this is just a suggestion and I already had mentioned that if you haven’t got your Fox Farm soil yet I really would try out and getting a bag of perlite mix in at least 20% to that and see what your outcome is try something new cause proper watering practices is tough starting out and good drainage and also easier access to oxygen for roots is important
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Yeah I’m actually receiving the Fox Farm soil in today. I’m definitely going to take your advice too and add in the perlite to it! I’ve got some of that as well. Thank you as well for some great info. This is gonna be fun to learn and adapt to.
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I was very surprised my local Farm & Fleet actually carries Fox Farm potting soil, bought their last 2 small bags of Ocean Friend at a reasonable price. Hit Lowe’s and get some Perilite to add, and I’ll be ready for my 1st grow in about 8 years. Trying the White Widow auto flower as a refresher, Thanks for all the soil info gentlemen!
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Sweet, welcome to the community @Radmaximus. You chose a great place to begin your journey