sbtransplant
New member
Now that I've been reading all this info on using perlite and proper aeration and whatnot, I'm confused about my planned soil recipe. This will be for 100 gl smart pots, outdoor in full sun and with the potential for a very warm and dry summer. Thus, lots of water and good retention in the soil mix, but obviously it needs decent aeration.
I am also trying to achieve a mostly vegan soil and fertilizer regime. I say mostly because I will be using a little bit of soil which is a garden builder of mostly high grade topsoil, sand, and some compost. Its nice and black, light to no odor, and very loamy with a light clay aspect. But should it have any animal products in it anywhere, though I doubt it, I am unaware. Also, I will use some worm castings which fall into a vegan gray area. Personally, I feel its just dirt passed through a worm, not really a manure of any sorts.
So here is my mix that I was thinking of doing. Please comment away!
45% mix of compost/previously mentioned soil builder (mixed 50/50)
25% coco coir
7.5% peat moss
7.5% worm castings
15% perlite
Then a mix of kelp, alfalfa, soybean, rock phosphate, greensand, sul po mag, glacial dust, then about a small hand full of neem seed meal for its voodoo magic. Also about 2 lbs of oyster shells as well per 100 gl. ... DOH!! Also not vegan but I'm ok with that. I also have 100lbs that I need to start using.
I plan to use a light amount of vegan liquid fertilizer during their lives, but also feed a little compost tea and kelp here and there, and sometime foliarly until flower.
Please, lend some thoughts. Especially those of you who have used some big smart pots outside in warm N CA summers.
Peace and thank you.
I am also trying to achieve a mostly vegan soil and fertilizer regime. I say mostly because I will be using a little bit of soil which is a garden builder of mostly high grade topsoil, sand, and some compost. Its nice and black, light to no odor, and very loamy with a light clay aspect. But should it have any animal products in it anywhere, though I doubt it, I am unaware. Also, I will use some worm castings which fall into a vegan gray area. Personally, I feel its just dirt passed through a worm, not really a manure of any sorts.
So here is my mix that I was thinking of doing. Please comment away!
45% mix of compost/previously mentioned soil builder (mixed 50/50)
25% coco coir
7.5% peat moss
7.5% worm castings
15% perlite
Then a mix of kelp, alfalfa, soybean, rock phosphate, greensand, sul po mag, glacial dust, then about a small hand full of neem seed meal for its voodoo magic. Also about 2 lbs of oyster shells as well per 100 gl. ... DOH!! Also not vegan but I'm ok with that. I also have 100lbs that I need to start using.
I plan to use a light amount of vegan liquid fertilizer during their lives, but also feed a little compost tea and kelp here and there, and sometime foliarly until flower.
Please, lend some thoughts. Especially those of you who have used some big smart pots outside in warm N CA summers.
Peace and thank you.