Time to Make Some Soil

[C21H30O2]

So I have to take a break from growing for a few months so I thought it was the perfect time to make some soil and let it cook. I will be making 9, 5 gallon buckets of organic soil for a 1000w future grow. Here is my proposed soil mix. please critique. let me know if I could use something else or if I have too much of something. I plan to recycle this soil so im trying to make it right from the get go. thx guys...

Organic Soil Recipe:

Organic Compost – 50%
Vermicompost – 20%
50/50 Vermiculite/Perlite – 30%

Amendments:

Dolomite Lime – 2tbsp/g
50/50 Azomite/Glacial Rock Dust – 1 tbsp/g
Alfalfa Meal – 1tbsp/g
Bone Meal – 1 tbsp/g
(Fish Bone Meal?)
Seabird Guano – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Nitrogen) – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Phosphorus) – 1 tbsp/g
Kelp Meal (Maxicrop 1-0-4) – 1 tbsp/g
Green Sand – 1 tbsp/g
Soft Rock Phosphate – 1 tbsp/g

Notes:

add earth worms to each soil mix to assist soil microbiology population
cover soil surface with lid (aerated) or temporary mulch.

Let me know what you think!!!

 

[guest2012y]

Well......I think it looks okay. If it were mine I'd replace the bone meal with Fish bone meal.
I would actually (and did) mix the P. bat guano with the fish bone meal 50/50. Then you eliminate the slaughtered animal hormone/anti-biotic injected Swine or Beef trip and replace it with a better product. Don't need the rock phosphate. Maybe bump up the 50/50 mix I suggested by another tablespoon.
A bit more kelp as well.....how about some coco coir?

 

[DARC MIND]

if that base mix feels solid, fine and uniform in texture, well aerated/ loose and able to hold moister yet drain well, then id give it a run.texture builds structure and a good structured soil creates a perfect foundation for a soil poop loop or microbe mechanism.
personally i prefer a more diverse concoction of base ingredients, aiming for the same texture explained above. But go what feels right and works for you, ther are so many ways growers skin this kat.
like the cheez capt. i agree use the fish bone,imo up the azomite/ glacial too 2tps and keep the soft rock P.
personally diversity is a friend, especially rock minerals in a living soil mix that will be recycled
HTH

 

[C21H30O2]

Well......I think it looks okay. If it were mine I'd replace the bone meal with Fish bone meal.
I would actually (and did) mix the P. bat guano with the fish bone meal 50/50. Then you eliminate the slaughtered animal hormone/anti-biotic injected Swine or Beef trip and replace it with a better product. Don't need the rock phosphate. Maybe bump up the 50/50 mix I suggested by another tablespoon.
A bit more kelp as well.....how about some coco coir?

the soft rock phosphate is for the fungi and as an additional sulfur source. ill make sure to use the fish bone meal instead of the bone meal and up the rock dust. ive had mixed results with coco, it doesnt seem like a consistent product to me. How much kelp should I add (per gallon). Anyone else think the mix needs more kelp.

thx for the input CC

 

[C21H30O2]

if that base mix feels solid, fine and uniform in texture, well aerated/ loose and able to hold moister yet drain well, then id give it a run.texture builds structure and a good structured soil creates a perfect foundation for a soil poop loop or microbe mechanism.
personally i prefer a more diverse concoction of base ingredients, aiming for the same texture explained above. But go what feels right and works for you, ther are so many ways growers skin this kat.
like the cheez capt. i agree use the fish bone,imo up the azomite/ glacial too 2tps and keep the soft rock P.
personally diversity is a friend, especially rock minerals in a living soil mix that will be recycled
HTH

thx for the knowledge DM. What else would you add to the base mix? mushroom compost perhaps? here is the updated mix based on reccomendations.

Organic Soil Recipe (v2):

Organic Compost – 50%
Vermicompost – 20%
50/50 Vermiculite/Perlite – 30%

Amendments:

Dolomite Lime – 2tbsp/g
50/50 Azomite/Glacial Rock Dust – 2 tbsp/g
Alfalfa Meal – 1tbsp/g
Fish Bone Meal – 1 tbsp/g
Seabird Guano – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Nitrogen) – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Phosphorus) – 1 tbsp/g
Kelp Meal (Maxicrop 1-0-4) – 1 tbsp/g
Green Sand – 1 tbsp/g
Soft Rock Phosphate – 1 tbsp/g

Notes:

add earth worms to each soil mix to assist soil microbiology population
cover soil surface with lid (aerated) or temporary mulch.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

How much kelp should I add (per gallon). Anyone else think the mix needs more kelp.

thx for the input CC

C21H30O2

I believe what CC1 is referring to is to use kelp meal instead of the Maxicrop product.

Generally the consensus seems to be 1 tablespoon of kelp meal to 1 gallon of potting soil.

Use the Maxicrop product for teas to apply as a soil soak and as a foliar application.

HTH

CC

 

[C21H30O2]

i used regular kelp meal (not extract) in one grow and had all sorts of potash def. It was 1-0-1. maxicrop is 1-0-4. I mention maxicrop because its the only reliable source I know of. Thoughts, comments.

 

[guest2012y]

C21H30O2

I believe what CC1 is referring to is to use kelp meal instead of the Maxicrop product.

Generally the consensus seems to be 1 tablespoon of kelp meal to 1 gallon of potting soil.

Use the Maxicrop product for teas to apply as a soil soak and as a foliar application.

HTH

CC

I'm unsure of that Maxicrop product,I've never personally seen it with my eyeballs. But also,I'm just a kelp junkie and would put in two tablespoons because it's one of the things that breaks down first as compared to the P. bat guano for example. Just my trip,but it works for me.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

CC1

Maxicrop is processed at their factory in Norway. It leaves the factory as a soluble powder and that's how it's shipped around the world to plants where it is mixed with water and other ingredients (like soluble potash) that you find at a nursery store.

You can buy the powder from Maxicrop but the thing is that it's almost 2x as expensive as the Acadian Seaplant product or the one that Simple-Tea sells.

I'd choose Maxicrop powder over their bottled liquid products if that was my only option.

CC

 

[guest2012y]

You really can tell the difference when you stick your head into a bag of Acadian kelp meal and take a whiff.........compared to other "boxed" brands it smells great.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

It smells like it did surfing in the morning at Trestles down in San Clemente...............

 

[C21H30O2]

so i guess its between 1tbsp/g maxicrop or 2tbsp/g kelp meal? Any other perspectives on the issue?

 

[Clackamas Coot]

One thing to consider is that by adding kelp meal vs. soluble seaweed extracts, you're providing a time-released ingredient that will benefit the plant through the entire growing cycles.

Not only does kelp meal feed the microbes in the soil, it also contains something like 93 micro-nutrients in a balanced form that are easily used by the plant.

Kinda like the difference between eating a fresh orange vs. drinking a glass of MinuteMaid concentrate.

Or something like that.

CC

 

[guest2012y]

One thing to consider is that by adding kelp meal vs. soluble seaweed extracts, you're providing a time-released ingredient that will benefit the plant through the entire growing cycles.

Not only does kelp meal feed the microbes in the soil, it also contains something like 93 micro-nutrients in a balanced form that are easily used by the plant.

Kinda like the difference between eating a fresh orange vs. drinking a glass of MinuteMaid concentrate.

Or something like that.

CC

If I remember correctly..(maybe not) Kelp meal takes several months to really get broken down,but can begin breaking down almost immediately.....not positive about the exact times there...... CC?

 

[Clackamas Coot]

I'll look it up again but it was something like 4 months to be considered completely broken-down.

 

[C21H30O2]

is there a reliable internet source or brand of kelp meal that works well?

 

[DARC MIND]

i like dr.earths kelp meal
dont know if its Acadian kelp or not but it does smell like the beach. haha, works well for me if thats worth anything
i use 2/3 cup every 5 gal of soil

thx for the knowledge DM. What else would you add to the base mix? mushroom compost perhaps?

another compost wouldnt be bad, maybe a shrimp or crap compost,alaskan humus, fungal compost, ecr. i also like CC idea of 1 part each lime,oyster,gypsum instead of just D lime..something to consider

but i do like the simple method your trying to employ

 

[CannaExists]

I got a 5 lb bag of Kelp Meal off fedcoseeds.com that seems to possess the aforementioned good smell.

 

[guest2012y]

I think you're on the right track.
The mix looks good Bro.

 

[C21H30O2]

Another update to my mix...

Organic Soil Recipe (v3):

Organic Compost – 30%
Alaskan Humus – 20%
Vermicompost – 20%
50/50 Vermiculite/Perlite – 30%

Amendments:

Dolomite Lime – 2tbsp/g
50/50 Azomite/Glacial Rock Dust – 2 tbsp/g
Alfalfa Meal – 1tbsp/g
Fish Bone Meal – 1 tbsp/g
Seabird Guano – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Nitrogen) – 1 tbsp/g
Bat Guano (Phosphorus) – 1 tbsp/g
Kelp Meal (Acadian kelp) – 2 tbsp/g
Green Sand – 1 tbsp/g
Soft Rock Phosphate – 1 tbsp/g

Notes:

add earth worms to each soil mix to assist soil microbiology population
cover soil surface with lid (aerated) or temporary mulch.

thoughts/comments?