Having a hard time with soil

B

basketballer

Member
Been growing for 3 years now and plenty of plant cycles, and I still cannot reliably grow a good plant for the life of me. Trying to grow in a 2x2x4 tent. I've grown great weed before but sometimes the plants just don't grow. They get like 6" tall and become a mini version of what it should look like. I've come to the conclusion its the soil or my water. I'm using the walmart soil and it has sphagnum moss in it, which I think is my problem. This latest time I've tried adding limestone and it hasn't helped. I've hardly given the plants any water so I really dont feel like I'm over watering. I've got a bluelabs soil ph pen. and I've been using a tiny bit of vinegar to get the pH of the water to 7. When I feed the plants, the soil reads 6.5, but I'm thinking lower in the soil its much lower. I'm getting mushrooms popping up. I was told to put in a fan, which I did and that didn't seem to help. I have a humidity meter and I'm trying to target 60%. I have an exhaust fan (computer fan hooked up to a funnel adapter that connects to 4" hose into the tent) and a computer fan on the inside that just dangles and spins around blowing air everywhere. I'm kind of thinking I should abandon soil, this pH, dampness... is an ongoing nightmare. Anyone have any last ditch suggestions, or should I just take the plunge and buy a hydro setup? ebay has a 5% bucks thing going so maybe its a good time to get a setup. Here's an auto flower after maybe 2 months. Its actually starting to flower. This past week tried putting some more limestone in to counter the acidity. Just stuck the meter in and its reading pH of 6.1 Pretty sad looking plant :(
 

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MY OWN DANK

MY OWN DANK

Well-Known Member
You know you really don't have to ph with soil right?....idk what your doing really...I've used miracle grow soil before with success just don't use nutrients for a while..water every 3days or when pot is dry...keep it simple...n you should be gold

I've been growing in soil for 12yrs n have never ph'd anything...not once
 
BobThe420Builder

BobThe420Builder

Well-Known Member
MY OWN DANK said:
You know you really don't have to ph with soil right?....idk what your doing really...I've used miracle grow soil before with success just don't use nutrients for a while..water every 3days or when pot is dry...keep it simple...n you should be gold

I've been growing in soil for 12yrs n have never ph'd anything...not once
Click to expand...
If it dosent have buffers you need to ph

Not all soils do, and sounds like he isn't to sure on things

But MG probably does have buffers
 
B

basketballer

Member
Fed the plants a couple of times in the 2 months they've been growing with the walmart expert gardener plant food.

Main lights are a 130w LED. I start them under a white grow panel I got off ebay. They grow ok for the first week or two, then things go downhill. My theory is my main problem is the bark or the moss in the cheap walmart soil. But maybe its time to give up on soil?

I was targetting 7 with the water going in because when I water the plants and have the pen in teh soil, the pH drops like a rock, down in the mid 5s before I added the limestone. Also a few weeks ago I treated them all with a magnesium spray, that seems to have helped in the past when I get purple stems.

People say its easy, but I've read so much online and yet I cannot grow. I'm not an idiot, I have a college degree in computer science and math. I'm either applying wrong info or there's soemthing I'm overlooking. I know its my fault the plants are growing, these things should take off. Its just hard to find good info, and there's plenty of conflicting and contradicting info out there in the many many guides I've read.

I'm at a loss at this point, I've grown good dope before with this exact setup. Sometimes the plants grow, sometimes they dont. It has to be something I don't understand. I had dampening issues in the past and I feel like I've worked past that and feed and water them properly. There's also a possibility its my water. I take water out before the water softener (a special valve between the well tank and the water softener), but my dad who put the system in (and I don't really understand how it works) says its not able to counteract the hard water, its so hard the system isn't getting it all. Could that be a problem? The pH is sometimes over 8, like 8.5 on the untreated well water. He's said there is iron bacteria in the well, not sure if that factors in. I don't give the plants any post treated water, it has quite a bit of sodium and possibly chlorine.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.
 
MY OWN DANK

MY OWN DANK

Well-Known Member
basketballer said:
Fed the plants a couple of times in the 2 months they've been growing with the walmart expert gardener plant food.

Main lights are a 130w LED. I start them under a white grow panel I got off ebay. They grow ok for the first week or two, then things go downhill. My theory is my main problem is the bark or the moss in the cheap walmart soil. But maybe its time to give up on soil?

I was targetting 7 with the water going in because when I water the plants and have the pen in teh soil, the pH drops like a rock, down in the mid 5s before I added the limestone. Also a few weeks ago I treated them all with a magnesium spray, that seems to have helped in the past when I get purple stems.

People say its easy, but I've read so much online and yet I cannot grow. I'm not an idiot, I have a college degree in computer science and math. I'm either applying wrong info or there's soemthing I'm overlooking. I know its my fault the plants are growing, these things should take off. Its just hard to find good info, and there's plenty of conflicting and contradicting info out there in the many many guides I've read.

I'm at a loss at this point, I've grown good dope before with this exact setup. Sometimes the plants grow, sometimes they dont. It has to be something I don't understand. I had dampening issues in the past and I feel like I've worked past that and feed and water them properly. There's also a possibility its my water. I take water out before the water softener (a special valve between the well tank and the water softener), but my dad who put the system in (and I don't really understand how it works) says its not able to counteract the hard water, its so hard the system isn't getting it all. Could that be a problem? The pH is sometimes over 8, like 8.5 on the untreated well water. He's said there is iron bacteria in the well, not sure if that factors in. I don't give the plants any post treated water, it has quite a bit of sodium and possibly chlorine.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
You may be over thinking it...and alotta smart ppl can't grow weed don't beat yourself up too bad...keeping it simple is a good way to go man...light water soil....check....with a plant so small you shouldn't really have to be worrying abt nutrients n ph so much in my opinion and experience...

Soil is pretty easy man I would master that before you decide to switch to hydro or soil'less mediums...

And abt ppl saying growing is easy...if it was that easy everyone would be doing it...with success....lots of "smart" ppl try to grow n fail...you gotta be able to read n feel the plant...and that can't be taught it comes naturally...

Good luck man n my best advice I can give to start is keep it simple...light soil water...nevermind the rest until later...master the basics 1st....light soil water
 
Wizzlebiz

Wizzlebiz

Well-Known Member
Exiting soil because its too hard is going to really throw you for a loop when you realize everything else is way more involved.

Exactly what brand of soil are you using? I know you said Walmart but they have a couple of different options. Some of which just aren't conducive to growing good weed plants.
 
J

Jumpin Jimmy

Well-Known Member
basketballer said:
Fed the plants a couple of times in the 2 months they've been growing with the walmart expert gardener plant food.

Main lights are a 130w LED. I start them under a white grow panel I got off ebay. They grow ok for the first week or two, then things go downhill. My theory is my main problem is the bark or the moss in the cheap walmart soil. But maybe its time to give up on soil?

I was targetting 7 with the water going in because when I water the plants and have the pen in teh soil, the pH drops like a rock, down in the mid 5s before I added the limestone. Also a few weeks ago I treated them all with a magnesium spray, that seems to have helped in the past when I get purple stems.

People say its easy, but I've read so much online and yet I cannot grow. I'm not an idiot, I have a college degree in computer science and math. I'm either applying wrong info or there's soemthing I'm overlooking. I know its my fault the plants are growing, these things should take off. Its just hard to find good info, and there's plenty of conflicting and contradicting info out there in the many many guides I've read.

I'm at a loss at this point, I've grown good dope before with this exact setup. Sometimes the plants grow, sometimes they dont. It has to be something I don't understand. I had dampening issues in the past and I feel like I've worked past that and feed and water them properly. There's also a possibility its my water. I take water out before the water softener (a special valve between the well tank and the water softener), but my dad who put the system in (and I don't really understand how it works) says its not able to counteract the hard water, its so hard the system isn't getting it all. Could that be a problem? The pH is sometimes over 8, like 8.5 on the untreated well water. He's said there is iron bacteria in the well, not sure if that factors in. I don't give the plants any post treated water, it has quite a bit of sodium and possibly chlorine.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Hey bro. I feel your pain. That purple stalk is looking bad and plant looks like it isn’t growing. Just has a look to it. Idk what your issue is man but I wojdlnt worry about the vinegar and all that. Check soil bag. Does it have lime in it? You say you’ve tried lime before and no help. Ph probably isn’t your issue. It’s gonna be feed, watering habit or just trash soil. What light are you under and what’s the temps? I’ll give you the best advice you need right now for the future. It’s simple and easy. Fox farms ocean forest blended with promix 50/50. Tablespoon of lime for every two gallons. Add 5-10% perlite. You’ll be good. Very simple mix with good aeration and will feed youngins for a little while. Many will disagree but a man having issues cant find anything much easier and as effective as fox farm grow big for veg. I use the blend I mentioned but top dress with epsoma ferts and use their liquid fert too. Cheap, effective...very effective. Ph is my last concern. I don’t check it ever. I use tap water. Do a side by side of tap and and bought water to ease your mind so you can rule that out as issue in future or maybe it’s ok. Tap is usually just fine. The ph of it isn’t that important at all as the soil buffers. Your ph sounds good. How much do you water at once?
 
B

basketballer

Member
Sorry took so long to reply, some stuff came up.

This light has grown really good dope, but sometimes the plants don't grow. I don't know why. Like mentioned, I think its the soil, fertilizer and maybe my feeding and watering schedule. This latest batch I've not watered much at all until I got this green friendly fungicide. Directions said to fully wet the root base, which was a mistake as last night I had the most mushrooms ever. This d747 product by southern ag was supposed to prevent it but looks like it must have gone bad as they took off even more than before. pH is spot on, I put the probe deep and its right at 6.4-6.6 on all my plants now (had to do a little pH adj, but nothing was above 7 or below 5. I've got like 15-20% perlite so I don't think the roots are rotting. Its gotta be junk soil.

Anyways, can I transplant these into hydroponics? I've got 2" net pots that just came and those clay ball medium is on its way. Jacks321 just arrived, and I already have air stones and a pump. I was going to make my own reservoir. I don't think this could go worse than soil, which has been a total disaster. From what I'm reading about hydro, its much more scientific, which I like. Soil just seems to be guesswork besides the pH meter.SAM_0001.JPG
This is after 2 months, barely any growth in the last 1.5 months. They shot up, then after 2 weeks stopped growing pretty much

SAM_0002.JPG
On warmer days if the temperature gets above 80F, I use the smaller light until things cool off. But mostly I use the larger light (130w says the KillAWatt meter)

Not shown is an exhaust fan that sucks out the top. You can kind of see the humidity probe dangling down near the light. The computer fan keeps things circulated and I put water in for next feeding as its quite cold out of the spigot

Thanks everyone for the help!
 
Last edited:
Crazy_Ace420

Crazy_Ace420

Well-Known Member
I think your plants are root bound. 2 months at the bottom of a planter, sounds terrible. What makes you want to grow at the bottom of a planter??? I cant understand... Next time fill dirt/perlite to the top of your planter, or fabric pots or red party cups or anything , im using old sour cream containers as my seedling cups . This is day 10 from first sprouting out of dirt20201230_212629~2.jpg
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
basketballer said:
Sorry took so long to reply, some stuff came up.

This light has grown really good dope, but sometimes the plants don't grow. I don't know why. Like mentioned, I think its the soil, fertilizer and maybe my feeding and watering schedule. This latest batch I've not watered much at all until I got this green friendly fungicide. Directions said to fully wet the root base, which was a mistake as last night I had the most mushrooms ever. This d747 product by southern ag was supposed to prevent it but looks like it must have gone bad as they took off even more than before. pH is spot on, I put the probe deep and its right at 6.4-6.6 on all my plants now (had to do a little pH adj, but nothing was above 7 or below 5. I've got like 15-20% perlite so I don't think the roots are rotting. Its gotta be junk soil.

Anyways, can I transplant these into hydroponics? I've got 2" net pots that just came and those clay ball medium is on its way. Jacks321 just arrived, and I already have air stones and a pump. I was going to make my own reservoir. I don't think this could go worse than soil, which has been a total disaster. From what I'm reading about hydro, its much more scientific, which I like. Soil just seems to be guesswork besides the pH meter.View attachment 4783045
This is after 2 months, barely any growth in the last 1.5 months. They shot up, then after 2 weeks stopped growing pretty much

View attachment 4783046
On warmer days if the temperature gets above 80F, I use the smaller light until things cool off. But mostly I use the larger light (130w says the KillAWatt meter)

Not shown is an exhaust fan that sucks out the top. You can kind of see the humidity probe dangling down near the light. The computer fan keeps things circulated and I put water in for next feeding as its quite cold out of the spigot

Thanks everyone for the help!
Click to expand...
Honestly I don’t even ph soil. I just set my ec And water. You need a better light and more soil in those pots. 80 degrees is fine for leds. My rooms are set to 83. 6 to 6.5 is fine for soil as far as the soil ph is concerned. I’ve grown successfully in all sorts of junk soil (ie yard dirt with perlite) no issues.
 
B

basketballer

Member
Crazy_Ace420 said:
I think your plants are root bound. 2 months at the bottom of a planter, sounds terrible. What makes you want to grow at the bottom of a planter??? I cant understand... Next time fill dirt/perlite to the top of your planter, or fabric pots or red party cups or anything , im using old sour cream containers as my seedling cups . This is day 10 from first sprouting out of dirt
Click to expand...
I was thinking I was using too much soil/perlite. I've grown plants that are ideal in half that mixture, same size pots. I can't take a picture right now because they're in night cycle (tomorrow I'll post) but one plant is growing just perfectly for the size tent I have. I switched it over to 12/12 at just the right time. If I could regularly grow that. I'll take a pic of it and you guys can tell me what maybe I did different?
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
basketballer said:
I was thinking I was using too much soil/perlite. I've grown plants that are ideal in half that mixture, same size pots. I can't take a picture right now because they're in night cycle (tomorrow I'll post) but one plant is growing just perfectly for the size tent I have. I switched it over to 12/12 at just the right time. If I could regularly grow that. I'll take a pic of it and you guys can tell me what maybe I did different?
Click to expand...
I use 7 gal pots filled with all of 1/4" left to the tol
 
rundlescunder

rundlescunder

Well-Known Member
basketballer said:
Been growing for 3 years now and plenty of plant cycles, and I still cannot reliably grow a good plant for the life of me. Trying to grow in a 2x2x4 tent. I've grown great weed before but sometimes the plants just don't grow. They get like 6" tall and become a mini version of what it should look like. I've come to the conclusion its the soil or my water. I'm using the walmart soil and it has sphagnum moss in it, which I think is my problem. This latest time I've tried adding limestone and it hasn't helped. I've hardly given the plants any water so I really dont feel like I'm over watering. I've got a bluelabs soil ph pen. and I've been using a tiny bit of vinegar to get the pH of the water to 7. When I feed the plants, the soil reads 6.5, but I'm thinking lower in the soil its much lower. I'm getting mushrooms popping up. I was told to put in a fan, which I did and that didn't seem to help. I have a humidity meter and I'm trying to target 60%. I have an exhaust fan (computer fan hooked up to a funnel adapter that connects to 4" hose into the tent) and a computer fan on the inside that just dangles and spins around blowing air everywhere. I'm kind of thinking I should abandon soil, this pH, dampness... is an ongoing nightmare. Anyone have any last ditch suggestions, or should I just take the plunge and buy a hydro setup? ebay has a 5% bucks thing going so maybe its a good time to get a setup. Here's an auto flower after maybe 2 months. Its actually starting to flower. This past week tried putting some more limestone in to counter the acidity. Just stuck the meter in and its reading pH of 6.1 Pretty sad looking plant :(
Click to expand...
I had the same problem, I overwatered a plant stagnant for 6 weeks, like size of a seedling at 6 weeks. I could post pics but nah. It survived and started growing and I've even started a second batch of 4. Germ your shit in rockwool then transplant it to soil. That's the only way I can understand my first plant survived like it was. I have a theory but really no way to back it up that habing rockwool at the base prevents damp soil problems to a degree.
 

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