[SpacedCWBY]

Anyone have experience with peatmoss/perlite mixes? Just want to make sure I treat the girls right. Soil always seems to pack down WAY too tight when I've used it. Twice - I'm fairly new to the growing thing even though I've been reading about it for over 10 years - never hurts to earn a degree before you goto work. Even mixed with perlite it gets pretty tough.

I planned on using a liquid organic hydro fert. HB and Satori on the way and I want to roll out the red carpet for them. Should be here tomorrow unless the ****stoms, uh, I mean Customs gets them. First order came from the Doc yesterday. Placed orders same day so who knows...

Any suggestions on the soiless mix and perlite?

Thanks.

i get a potting mix that is ONLY canadian spaghnum peat moss and perlite. i then cut it with perlite and 2tbls/gal dolomite lime. usually throw in a 5lb bag of worm castings and keep it in a big bin. i prefer my mixes to be as inert as possible, that way i can just use the liquid fertilizers and not worry about overfeeding my plants.

[JACKBAYBEH]

I use promix BX and add about 10% more perlite. Worked pretty well with
the FoxFarm line. A buddy of mine uses the same mix with BioBizz nutes and
has great results except for a little problem with Mg deficientcy which he
remedies with a tsp. of epsom salts per gallon of water.

[SpacedCWBY]

Sounds good, I'll have to check it out.

Do you grow any mandala strains? I'm looking to find out what works best for them to produce their asses off - short of hydro. I think that testing myself on hydro with bagseed first would be best there.

Thanks for the input!

[SpacedCWBY]

Well, I can put the HB and satori on hold. We were packing the moving van today when the mail came. I saw him put that little brown box in the mailbox. But low and behold - the dreaded green tape and very thoughtful letter from the government. They won that roll of the dice. At least I got the first order. Lowryder and troublemaker. We'll see how it goes.

I'll try again around christmas time.

Thanks for the input though.

Spaced.

[motaco]

perilite vermiculite are popular with growers because unlike soil you can wash the fuck out of them both and then just reuse them. and you always know you've got 60%drainage and 40% water retention medium. and its dramatically lighter so its easier to mix and great for outdoor growers backpacking material in.

[SpacedCWBY]

What do you typically use for nutes when you're working with that mix of per/ver?

[motaco]

I go light on BOG's KISS method, with alot of EWC added, and a lil bat guano. add myco and micronutrients, with regular ass pure blend pro veg and bloom.

two weeks into flower I like to hit them up with a tea.

I'm a fan of organics


but that is just me personally. I'm waiting to see what mike has to say about it. I like his grow advice alot but I wish he'd put up a preferred mix like BOG or soul does.

[SpacedCWBY]

Maybe that's the fun that he leaves up to us! Who knows. He does pay excellent attention to his fans though. Seems to be very pro active when watching people growing his strains.

That's kinda why I posted this question in here - to see what he uses to grow and produce his strains. I know the plants like uniformity and he really seems to have every aspect of his strains down to the t - it's his job, right?

Anyhow, the government won my beans in a mail sorting contest anyhow. But as I said before, I'll try again around christmas. We just moved and I don't want seeds sent here, so I need time to find another safe address.

Thanks for your help though, all of you.

Spaced...

[MandalaMike]

Originally Posted by SpacedCWBY

Maybe that's the fun that he leaves up to us!

Lol... we are slaving away at the Mandala Grow FAQ which answers all these Q's and more. Soon to be uploaded...

Originally Posted by SpacedCWBY

That's kinda why I posted this question in here - to see what he uses to grow and produce his strains.

Ok, don't want to keep the suspense too long. ;-)
Perlite 10% hit the mark for soil mix. Vermiculite has a higher water retention and is more practical for guerilla growing.
But even better is if you have quality potting soil with good NPK values that you can use without any "non-nutritive" extras. That's my method.
The Mandala's love it! They like to take total control over nute absorption and let the grower take the back seat, light a spliff, and watch them grow.

With regards to soiless mix...not quite sure what you mean with the peat moss as this is technically speaking soil and the main ingredient in horticultural grade potting soil.

What makes me wonder is that your soil gets so compact. What kind of potting soil are you using? Obviously, after a month it tends to sag down a bit in the pot from watering and plant use. But that's generally not a problem since the plants have fully rooted by then. A network of roots is the natural way for the soil to be sufficiently loosened for a good air-water ratio.

Originally Posted by SpacedCWBY

Anyhow, the government won my beans in a mail sorting contest anyhow.

Sorry to hear it turned out that way. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some Mandala's growing in a custom officials cellar now!
Hopefully the next batch will pass through with flying colours.

Good luck with your next grow,
Mike