Soil Question

supherbb

Member

• Feb 22, 2012

• #1

Normally I run LC's Mix with Pro-Mix and Blood/Bone/Kelp/Greensand/Dolomite.

My question is, if replacing the Pro-Mix with screened, high quality top soil, is the dolomite still needed to buffer the PH? Should it still be added as a source of Ca/Mg, but possibly at a lower rate?

Thanks ahead of time for any help!

 

Bennyweed1

Active member

Veteran

• Feb 22, 2012

• #2

supherbb said:

Normally I run LC's Mix with Pro-Mix and Blood/Bone/Kelp/Greensand/Dolomite.

My question is, if replacing the Pro-Mix with screened, high quality top soil, is the dolomite still needed to buffer the PH? Should it still be added as a source of Ca/Mg, but possibly at a lower rate?

Thanks ahead of time for any help!

Click to expand...

I personally never run any type of soil without Lime. For me it is a staple in all my mixes. I add 2tbs to five gallons of soil and have never been hurt from it.

If you could find some oyster and crab shell to add with the lime; I think it would be a pretty nice touch.

But Pro-mix or screened top soil....I would use the same amounts you have been IMO.

 

supherbb

Member

• Feb 22, 2012

• #3

I think my local spot has screened top soil and two types of compost, mushroom and lobster I believe? I'd have to double check. I was looking to basically replicate LC's Mix with the changes mentioned.

Thanks for the suggestion Benny...I'm thinkin of using it the same, maybe cutting back a bit if using the lobster compost.

 

S

SeaMaiden

• Feb 22, 2012

• #4

supherbb said:

Normally I run LC's Mix with Pro-Mix and Blood/Bone/Kelp/Greensand/Dolomite.

My question is, if replacing the Pro-Mix with screened, high quality top soil, is the dolomite still needed to buffer the PH? Should it still be added as a source of Ca/Mg, but possibly at a lower rate?

Thanks ahead of time for any help!

Click to expand...

I use locally made top soil, and the guy who makes it is very, very good at what he does. As such, the only reason I need to add additional Ca is because my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants tend to get blossom end rot in his mix. The pH of the mix is fine, so I don't need to add dolomitic lime, I can add back anything with sufficient Ca in it.

So! My advice is to talk to the person making the soil, find out what's in it and how other customers are doing with it.

I took that top soil and amended with kelp meal, alfalfa, and several rock dusts so as to bring up the P/K content just a bit. It's lasted me three grows, now I need to add back more K.

It's also important to know and understand that Mg, while absolutely necessary, doesn't need to be emphasized in cannabis growing as much as it currently is. Ca is far more important, IMO/IME.

 

supherbb

Member

• Feb 22, 2012

• #5

Excellent response SeaMaiden...When I go and arrange for a delivery I will make sure to talk to someone and ask for more info about the topsoil.

 

guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Feb 22, 2012

• #6

Do the jar and water ph shake test....then add dolomite or EWC if it's an acidic topsoil.

I had to adjust my local topsoil as the soil ph was just above 4.0 with little humic material.

Look for black topsoils...a sign of high humic content...but not always.

 

mad librettist

Active member

Veteran

• Feb 22, 2012

• #7

makes sense capt, with all the rain over there the soil should be acidic.

 

supherbb

Member

• Feb 22, 2012

• #8

Thanks guys. I'll be taking a ride to the county conservation this weekend so I'll make sure to ask plenty of questions. Thanks for all of the help.

 

jaykush

dirty black hands

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Feb 22, 2012

• #9

As such, the only reason I need to add additional Ca is because my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants tend to get blossom end rot in his mix

Click to expand...

you need nettle and chamomile FPE. never see it again, and improve flavor and heat.

 

jaykush

dirty black hands

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Feb 22, 2012

• #10

As such, the only reason I need to add additional Ca is because my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants tend to get blossom end rot in his mix

Click to expand...

you need nettle and chamomile FPE. never see it again, and improve flavor and heat.

 

S

SeaMaiden

• Feb 23, 2012

• #11

I need to get them growing! All my comfrey and catnip died during my medical hiatus.

 

supherbb

Member

• Feb 25, 2012

• #12

Hey everyone, I got some results for the local soil and compost that is available to me. I was wondering if anyone could interpret this info and break it down a little clearer for me.

I'm trying to replicate the LC recipe as much as possible. Always had great results with it and I'm not one to try and reinvent the wheel much, but I wanna try and replace the peat moss with local top soil if possible. Looking at this, to me it seems like I'd have to make more adjustments than I originally thought...

 

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guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Feb 26, 2012

• #13

I wouldn't replace peat with topsoil alone....but rather incorporate it in a mix like LC's...just add a bit to the final mix..and other goodies.