fox farm ocean forest soil

[MichiganMedGrower]

I use it as if for everything. I agree as said above to mix it well. Make sure any chunks are broken up to avoid the roots finding anything concentrated.

On their website faq. They say no NPK value needs listed because it is a planting medium. Not a food source. Their further advice is more for tomatoes and our plant tends to have similar needs but half the amounts. So they say wait 2 weeks to feed. I never see any need til 4 or more. Depends on genetics and success.

I think many of the burned plants are actually from over watering. I taproot my seeds in a wet coffee filter in an open baggie and drop them right in. But I never water again until my pots are quite dry.

And again, I use only well water until almost week 4 after transplants.

Here is a pic I took tonight of my seed grown garden flower room in ocean forest. All plants are grown from seed for 5 to 8 weeks in veg Before flowering using of from sprout. Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Grow is used when the soil depletes.

 

[Dr. Who]

I would say that you should add about a good 1/2 cup + of dolomite to each bag and mix it in well.
I have, for years, found OF to be "short" on Ca and Mg in the long term......Way better pH stability if you add it!

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

I would say that you should add about a good 1/2 cup + of dolomite to each bag and mix it in well.
I have, for years, found OF to be "short" on Ca and Mg in the long term......Way better pH stability if you add it!

I don't have a problem but my well water is good at about 150 ppm calcium carbonate. I add fertilizer when I need mag.

I also transplant up as my soil depletes which refreshes the oyster shell and re sets the buffer.

Unless you water too much and wash the stuff out like I think many do.

And you grow larger trees in larger pots which is a factor don't you Dr. Who?

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

I don't have a problem but my well water is good at about 150 ppm calcium carbonate. I add fertilizer when I need mag.

I also transplant up as my soil depletes which refreshes the oyster shell and re sets the buffer.

Unless you water too much and wash the stuff out like I think many do.

And you grow larger trees in larger pots which is a factor don't you Dr. Who?

I read the amount @Dr. Who posted wrong as I am tired and stoned. 1/2 cup is a perfectly safe and secure insurance for most mixes and most water I would think.

 

[DemonTrich]

4+yrs adding 1 cup per bag...always kick ass veg results. Now if they can controll the damn fungus gnats.

 

[Dr. Who]

I don't have a problem but my well water is good at about 150 ppm calcium carbonate. I add fertilizer when I need mag.

I also transplant up as my soil depletes which refreshes the oyster shell and re sets the buffer.

Unless you water too much and wash the stuff out like I think many do.

And you grow larger trees in larger pots which is a factor don't you Dr. Who?

Yeah, I run a lot of 5+7 gallon pots....I do the up pot thing too...
Went to building my own soils, so I control everything to do with them.

 

[Dr. Who]

4+yrs adding 1 cup per bag...always kick ass veg results. Now if they can controll the damn fungus gnats.

I don't see any problem with that amount.....not in OF.....I just liked starting low and working up. A big 1/2 works, so that was were I stopped.....Dolo carries a lot of mg with it. That point had influence in my holding back....
In reality, it got to the point where I would simply grab a fat handful and use that.....I guess it at a big 1/2. Maybe more like a big 3/4!

Don't really use OF much anymore. Once in a while, I'll do a hurry up build of a variation on the "Moonshine" mix for blooming only. That has OF, HF and Black Gold in the base mix. I make the nutrients to my personal formula's and don't do the premade "tomato" or "bloom" dry mix's from Epsoma or FF......Gets a 1/2 of oyster and a 1/2 of Dolo to about 3 cft total, as I add 5lbs of EWC and 3 lbs Cow manure. Along with 5 gal of course perlite. Depending on the strain, 1.5 - 2 cups fert mix......water with the proper amount of water and FUL HUMIX and cook for 2 weeks and use....

 

[Richard Drysift]

'it will burn them! dont do it'
'just germ and plant, itll be fine'
'FFOF is too hot for seedlings, mix it with something'
'I germ in FFOF all the time, your good.'
kinda feels like the devil and angel on your shoulders, eh?

my advice, give it a go. Obviously everyone has their own experience, but you wont know for sure until you get your own experience.
stay red eyed, smiley, and live life irie! Peace!

Here's the thing about FFOF soil..it's very good but it's not mixed very well. It can have spots that contain more or less fertilizers so sometimes they can get nitrogen burn. If you simply mix it well and cut it down with some perlite & coco or promix it'll be fine for seedlings. If you save a root ball from a previous harvest & just rehydrate it that's great starter mix but fresh from the bag I would cut it down for seedlings or tender young clones. Either way an organic burn is easily recovered from so it's not even that big a deal if they do.

 

[Saint Skinny]

I use it as if for everything. I agree as said above to mix it well. Make sure any chunks are broken up to avoid the roots finding anything concentrated.

On their website faq. They say no NPK value needs listed because it is a planting medium. Not a food source. Their further advice is more for tomatoes and our plant tends to have similar needs but half the amounts. So they say wait 2 weeks to feed. I never see any need til 4 or more. Depends on genetics and success.

I think many of the burned plants are actually from over watering. I taproot my seeds in a wet coffee filter in an open baggie and drop them right in. But I never water again until my pots are quite dry.

And again, I use only well water until almost week 4 after transplants.

Here is a pic I took tonight of my seed grown garden flower room in ocean forest. All plants are grown from seed for 5 to 8 weeks in veg Before flowering using of from sprout. Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Grow is used when the soil depletes.

View attachment 3797399

How do you like the pure blend pro grow/bloom?I was originally going to go with Pro mix and pure blend tea but you know how that goes... I still got promix and cocogro, so maybe I'll try to mix with each and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Saint Skinny]

I don't see any problem with that amount.....not in OF.....I just liked starting low and working up. A big 1/2 works, so that was were I stopped.....Dolo carries a lot of mg with it. That point had influence in my holding back....
In reality, it got to the point where I would simply grab a fat handful and use that.....I guess it at a big 1/2. Maybe more like a big 3/4!

Don't really use OF much anymore. Once in a while, I'll do a hurry up build of a variation on the "Moonshine" mix for blooming only. That has OF, HF and Black Gold in the base mix. I make the nutrients to my personal formula's and don't do the premade "tomato" or "bloom" dry mix's from Epsoma or FF......Gets a 1/2 of oyster and a 1/2 of Dolo to about 3 cft total, as I add 5lbs of EWC and 3 lbs Cow manure. Along with 5 gal of course perlite. Depending on the strain, 1.5 - 2 cups fert mix......water with the proper amount of water and FUL HUMIX and cook for 2 weeks and use....

Gnat Nix bro, I put a 1/2' layer on all of my plants, I tried to use DE but it cakes up and I just didnt like using it, the look, and the way it would always follow the water down into the soil. anything that doesnt get washed away is caked up like leftovers from a baking soda vinegar experiment

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Here's the thing about FFOF soil..it's very good but it's not mixed very well. It can have spots that contain more or less fertilizers so sometimes they can get nitrogen burn. If you simply mix it well and cut it down with some perlite & coco or promix it'll be fine for seedlings. If you save a root ball from a previous harvest & just rehydrate it that's great starter mix but fresh from the bag I would cut it down for seedlings or tender young clones. Either way an organic burn is easily recovered from so it's not even that big a deal if they do.

I sprout seedlings in it all the time. I do use a bit of extra runoff when I water in the red party cups I use but for a sense of security only. I add nothing to the ocean forest.

But your point about mixing I agree with 100%. I make sure it is always well mixed and has absolutely no clumps.

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

How do you like the pure blend pro grow/bloom?I was originally going to go with Pro mix and pure blend tea but you know how that goes... I still got promix and cocogro, so maybe I'll try to mix with each and see if it makes a difference.

Pure blend pro grow is all I use. The bloom soil is really for outside. It promotes yellowing and leaf loss as it builds up pk without enough nitrogen.

It's easy and I use 5 to 15ml per gallon mostly every watering from week 3 or 4 in flowering.

Pure blend tea could never sustain a plant in my garden without a base nute added. It is an additive.

But there are tons of variables so ymmv

 

[Dr. Who]

Gnat Nix bro, I put a 1/2' layer on all of my plants, I tried to use DE but it cakes up and I just didnt like using it, the look, and the way it would always follow the water down into the soil. anything that doesnt get washed away is caked up like leftovers from a baking soda vinegar experiment

Nope on gnat nix! I build and reuse my soils....I don't want that shit mixing in when I recharge my soil......For me, in the end, it just won't "stay on top" you know? Same for any DE too!

Microbe-Lift BMC! few drops in your feed or water and a good drench....maybe have to do it twice in a row......Done.

Gnats are more "annoying" then "damaging" anyway.......yet they are a constant gift from FFOF!

 

[DemonTrich]

Promis 3ml/gal for clones
10ml/gal for 5 gal up pots
15ml/gal for 5 gal pots at flip.

No more gnats period

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Nope on gnat nix! I build and reuse my soils....I don't want that shit mixing in when I recharge my soil......For me, in the end, it just won't "stay on top" you know? Same for any DE too!

Microbe-Lift BMC! few drops in your feed or water and a good drench....maybe have to do it twice in a row......Done.

Gnats are more "annoying" then "damaging" anyway.......yet they are a constant gift from FFOF!

Still have never seen a bug in any of my bags. It is stored inside where I buy it though.

 

[Dr. Who]

Still have never seen a bug in any of my bags. It is stored inside where I buy it though.

It has active eggs in it, is my guess. It's always the common denominator when they show up for me = OF..

 

[Saint Skinny]

Nope on gnat nix! I build and reuse my soils....I don't want that shit mixing in when I recharge my soil......For me, in the end, it just won't "stay on top" you know? Same for any DE too!

Microbe-Lift BMC! few drops in your feed or water and a good drench....maybe have to do it twice in a row......Done.

Gnats are more "annoying" then "damaging" anyway.......yet they are a constant gift from FFOF!

I got into the habit of using a pressure sprayer to mist my soil, that way it doesn't suck the gnat nix down into the dirt, and it also gives me a little bit of extra time to spend with each plant. I never reused soil so I never thought of that. I don't blame you for not wanting it as part of your mix, I wouldn't either

 

[bullSnot]

This is crazy...it's too " hot" ... it's fine...cut it ...is hot...it's fine....I doubt that ffof is the issue with folks that are hVing problems...too many way to kill a plant...organic soil is hard to be HOT. The key to any seedling taking off is use rabid rooters and microbs like kangaroots.

 

[bullSnot]

every bloke has an opinion...here is mine . AUTO FLOWERS - soak a root riot square in some water mix with kangaroots..squeeze out excess plant seed - when it germinates - I then get a pot and fill with FFOF and 20-30% perlite mix. I take a solo cup full of Happy Frog soil and place that in a hole in the middle. Then plant my germinated root riot in the H-Frog soil. This allows the seedling to first contact the HF soil and move outward to the stronger FFOF. I only use Microbrew and Kangaroots during vegetation and choice of notes diluted to 1/4-1/2 strength for Flowering. Some Autos that flower quick can do just fine with no nutes

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Just an update. Since posting I have started mixing in 20% large perlite back into my ocean forest. I had stopped and used it straight out of the bag for months.

A few problems I was having have stopped. It was a drainage or citation exchange issue.

The soil was retaining too much fertilizer salts even with good runoff and was requiring periodic leeching which I don't like and have not had to do often with the pure blend pro.

With the 20% perlite in I am back to a 3 day usual mature plant water/feed cycle rather than the 4-5 days it was taking without.

And the salt buildup has ceased. No more yellow tips and no more surprise pk burning creeping up.