just making sure... - Organic Soil - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

08-04-2006, 11:21 PM

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sproutco · 08-05-2006, 02:51 AM

The earthworm castings are acidic. So they require dolomite lime. Perlite and vermiculite don't require lime. I suggest trying 2/3 tablespoon per 1 gallon (230 cubic inches) of earthworm castings. This would be about 2.5 ounces (little more than a 1/4 cup) per cubic foot of castings. Others here at icmag use triple this amount of lime. To find cubic inches of your container: radius x radius x 3.14 x height (in inches; 1/2 diameter=radius) 1728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot A calculator can be handy.

You can skip the dolomite lime but you will have to add calcium and magnesium in your water.

Ideally when using dolomite lime, you should make your mix and add lime. Mix well. Water well. Wait 1 week. Test ph. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=32760 Then add more lime if needed. If you add too much you might have to scrap it so making a little batch would be better (just for testing). Ph 6 is good to aim for.

Guest423 · 08-05-2006, 03:04 AM

the 1/3 mix is the mix i've always used since day 1, i never add any lime, not saying it won't help but i've never done it....but most of my ferts have cal and mag in them.

Suby · 08-05-2006, 07:50 PM

lime is there to balance out the peat and to some extent the organic ferts you'll feed them throughout the grow.
You have no peat and lots of EWC so you could skip it, they are full of humic acids and will help buffer the mic adequately if you keep your feedings relatively ph balanced.
These 1/3 mixes are not my favprite, I find alot of nutrients and beneficial elements are washed away quickly in a mix of mostly perlite and vermiculite, you'll be watering more often.
Like T2U mentioned you'll need a cal. and mag. boost for MJ, the Botanicare calmag formula will work weel with the PBPro veg and bloom for soil formulas.

Keep us posted
Sub's

Guest423 · 08-06-2006, 01:28 AM

i only need to water about every 3-4 days, the perlite is for good aeration and the vermiculite holds moisture, along with the earthworm castings i find it to be a real nice combo, i do like to add a few cups of blood meal, bone meal, and guano though too.

i get the 1/3 mix all mixed together in a rubbermaid first, then i just add a couple cups of the blood meal,bone meal, and guano, then remix it. but i've just done the 1/3 mix plenty of times . good luck...peace

08-04-2006, 11:21 PM	#1
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	just making sure... ... Last edited by BMISS; 09-07-2006 at 07:42 PM..
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08-05-2006, 02:51 AM	#2
sproutco Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,645	The earthworm castings are acidic. So they require dolomite lime. Perlite and vermiculite don't require lime. I suggest trying 2/3 tablespoon per 1 gallon (230 cubic inches) of earthworm castings. This would be about 2.5 ounces (little more than a 1/4 cup) per cubic foot of castings. Others here at icmag use triple this amount of lime. To find cubic inches of your container: radius x radius x 3.14 x height (in inches; 1/2 diameter=radius) 1728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot A calculator can be handy. You can skip the dolomite lime but you will have to add calcium and magnesium in your water. Ideally when using dolomite lime, you should make your mix and add lime. Mix well. Water well. Wait 1 week. Test ph. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=32760 Then add more lime if needed. If you add too much you might have to scrap it so making a little batch would be better (just for testing). Ph 6 is good to aim for. Last edited by sproutco; 08-05-2006 at 03:33 AM..
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08-05-2006, 03:04 AM	#3
Guest423 Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,304	the 1/3 mix is the mix i've always used since day 1, i never add any lime, not saying it won't help but i've never done it....but most of my ferts have cal and mag in them.
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08-05-2006, 07:50 PM	#4
Suby AWD Aficianado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the healing arms of planet love. Posts: 2,435	lime is there to balance out the peat and to some extent the organic ferts you'll feed them throughout the grow. You have no peat and lots of EWC so you could skip it, they are full of humic acids and will help buffer the mic adequately if you keep your feedings relatively ph balanced. These 1/3 mixes are not my favprite, I find alot of nutrients and beneficial elements are washed away quickly in a mix of mostly perlite and vermiculite, you'll be watering more often. Like T2U mentioned you'll need a cal. and mag. boost for MJ, the Botanicare calmag formula will work weel with the PBPro veg and bloom for soil formulas. Keep us posted Sub's __________________ Organic Fanatic Collective Suby's Kitchen The "Beer" Fridge ~Pimp Your Organic Fertilizer~
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08-06-2006, 01:28 AM	#5
Guest423 Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,304	i only need to water about every 3-4 days, the perlite is for good aeration and the vermiculite holds moisture, along with the earthworm castings i find it to be a real nice combo, i do like to add a few cups of blood meal, bone meal, and guano though too. i get the 1/3 mix all mixed together in a rubbermaid first, then i just add a couple cups of the blood meal,bone meal, and guano, then remix it. but i've just done the 1/3 mix plenty of times . good luck...peace
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