Sunshine advanced#4 or regular sunshine#4

[kalimist99]

Whats the differnce between these two soiless mediums? the only thing I can see is the advanced has coco added is there any other differnces? it's also twice as much $, anyone use the new advanced #4?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CJ9AJ7FZYSHTMC31NXY

http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=7998

 

[ClackamasCootz]

kalimist99

The prices being quoted (even before S&H) are beyond insane. Sunshine Mix #4 costs between $25.00 - $30.00 for single bales at wholesale nursery suppliers, farm stores, feed stores, etc. This is a professional potting soil base - it is not a soil by any definition.

The Advanced Sunshine Mix is part of their new line that straddles the retail and semi-professional markets.

If you want to find a legitimate retailer then contact Sun Gro Horticulture in Hubbard, Oregon which is their main plant in the western states and they can get you the contacts.

HTH

CC

 

[Microbeman]

I began a test on Sunshine peatmoss today. It is marked OMNI rated. Premier is getting too pricey. Sunshine is $7.90

At end of day six testing Sunshine peatmoss; not terrible because I did see a few bacteria and flagellates but the fungi I did see was not very robust and was fairly narrow in diameter.

I started another test on Premier peat moss (promoss). Already at 24 hours it has lots of bacterial/archaeal activity.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Is that for a bale? That's really inexpensive

 

[kalimist99]

yeah I always get my standard #4 locally for 45$ but I saw this new advanced #4 at my local hydro store, I wasn't sure if they just updated to flashy packaging or if its a new product, so its a new line and sounds pretty good with the added coco but i haven't heard any reviews on it or found the full ingredients to see if its worth it.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

yeah I always get my standard #4 locally for 45$ but I saw this new advanced #4 at my local hydro store, I wasn't sure if they just updated to flashy packaging or if its a new product, so its a new line and sounds pretty good with the added coco but i haven't heard any reviews on it or found the full ingredients to see if its worth it.

kalimist

I used to buy the Sunshine Growers Organic Mix which is:

40% Sphagnum Peat Moss
30% Organic Coir (Sri Lanka)
10% Vermiculite (the correct material)
10% Perlite
10% Pumice

pH adjusted with Limestone and Yucca root powder for the wetting agent.

About $19.00 for 2.8 bags (not bales). It was and is a nice product and if I had to I'd use it again. It's far, far less expensive to buy Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss at Home Depot for $14.00 (3.8 c.f. bales) and a bag of perlite (4 c.f. for around $17.00) and mix your own.

CC

 

[Microbeman]

Is that for a bale? That's really inexpensive

3.8 cu ft

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Any thoughts on some of their boutique sphagnum peat products? Like the minimally processed fibrous peat where you can still see the plant structure. Sometimes used in hanging baskets and such.

In the PNW it's sold under Sunshine Peat Moss Grower Grade and comes in 4 flavors (different chopping on the 'tops') Blue, Green, Orange and White

CC

 

[ClackamasCootz]

MM

Here's another brand from the Sunshine people - Lakeland (100% Sphagnum Peat Moss) and is harvested in Alberta

Here's the logo:

Lakeland used to be a small packer like Alaska Peat and Sun Gro Horticulture bought them about 5 years ago to pick-up their harvest allotment with the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association rules.

Nice product from the visuals - just like Alaska Peat

CC

 

[MrGreenWeed]

When I was at my local grow shop just last week, in a northern US city of about 70k, I bought my Fox Farm Oceran Forest 1.5 bags for 19 each. I saw a 3.8 bale of Sunshine Mix #4 for 35. Buy somewhere local and save some money.
The difference is Sunshine Advanced contains coir and more perlite. The small fert charge is a low phosphorus feed which won't cause any negative effects and ferts should be started within 10 days.

 

[supermanlives]

sunshine 4 cost me 45$ a bale in san diego

 

[ClackamasCootz]

supermanlives

North of San Diego around Fallbrook is one of the epicenters of California's wholesale nurseries. There are at least 15 wholesale suppliers in San Diego County.

Their price will in the $25.00 - $30.00 range depending on which flavor of Sunshine Mix you're using. Pro-Mix has now established a strong presence on the West Coast and their pricing is consistent with Sun Gro Horticulture's prices.

Both pull out of the same district in Canada (Alberta) as far as the 11 western states.

CC

 

[supermanlives]

thanks man . guess a road trip is in order for next run. i like fallbrook anyhow. i used pro mix when on east coast and was paying like 13 $ bale in quantity .

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Check out Alpine in North County as well. Argowinn in Encinatas is also worth checking out for legitimate garden supplies. Their worm castings are #1

If you go to Encinitas you can stop in at Jaunita's Taco Shop on PCH for lunch - old favorite with the surfers coming and going to Swami's and surrounding surf spots.

CC

 

[supermanlives]

cool thanks . will need a bunch too. the new kitchen floor is in and the new stove today . so i can pull my kitchen out of my garage and set up a few more lights. yeehaw

 

[Microbeman]

I edited the post but thought I better post again;

I began a test on Sunshine peatmoss today. It is marked OMNI rated. Premier is getting too pricey. Sunshine is $7.90

At end of day six testing Sunshine peatmoss; not terrible because I did see a few bacteria and flagellates but the fungi I did see was not very robust and was fairly narrow in diameter.

I started another test on Premier peat moss (promoss). Already at 24 hours it has lots of bacterial/archaeal activity.

 

[Buddah Watcha]

I would definitely consider buying the materials separately and mixing them... That is if you have the space and the effort...

4cu moss bale around $10
2cu perlite $15
2cu compost $15
Lime is so cheap, $5 for 40lb bag

About the same price, but more soil and already with a bunch of compost to kick start the true living organics soil

And you can add some mycos to the soil too and you are ready to go!

Good luck, peace!