The great MG soil debate.

[see4]

I found the MG I was using was holding water for way too long, lots of bark and when I transplanted
there were some unknown seedlings growing under the surface. Not really clean enough to be a medium
of my choice.

If you are comfortable with MG, just add perlite, up to 25% by volume. That will solve your water retention problems.

If it is a matter of burning or deficiencies, then I would suggest moving away from MG. I know that some MG soils have this silly time released thing that can upset your ladies...

 

[ricky1lung]

Yeah, the time release ferts bug me. I like having more control
over the process so I know exactly what I did to cause any issues
that may arise.

IMO anyone can grow in MG, but could it be better with other mediums
really is the big question.

I have seen some awesome plants that were grown in MG, I have also seen
some really harsh failures. Im confident I could grow in MG easily and with success
but being more of a hands on tinkering kind of guy it doesn't seem to offer enough
interaction aside from, look, water, leave alone.

I really didnt like seeing those other unknown seedlings growing in there.

 

[wyteberrywidow]

I would say coco blows the mg out the water and very easy to deal with. Pro mix as well. The only reason I would buy mg soil now is if I'm feeling lazy and want to grab a bag of soil in 10 minutes.

 

[qwizoking]

Not all mg has time release balls, all soil is indeed time releasing especially organic grows. If you need to know how you managed to mess up your plants look at a deficimcy chart and up that, or don't fertilize as much..its not like mg can't be dialed in to your specific nute regimen. I don't think there are any legitamite disadvantages accept for some wood chips which I suppose don't let roots grow there but they retain moisture... The Av mg has dolomite lime and with 50percent perlite its perfect you eont even have to check ph... But you said it mg you don't have to worry about and tinker..which is why its wonderful for gurilla grows or massive grows.

 

[Sunbiz1]

Yeah I grabbed some straight promix last night and transplanted.

I have the GH trio, so I wanted to go with the straight mix so I know exactly what is going in
until I learn more about mediums and mixing.

After this run I will do a test with a couple different amendments so I can see what works
through my own trial and error (what better way to learn, right...lol) Im gonna try and get away
from the chem ferts and start going true organic. I have a large amount of grass and leave clippings
I can use for a compost pile so there is at least a start.

I found the MG I was using was holding water for way too long, lots of bark and when I transplanted
there were some unknown seedlings growing under the surface. Not really clean enough to be a medium
of my choice.

http://www.espoma.com/p_consumer/tones_plant.html

If you can find that, it is the perfect compliment to Promix.

 

[AimAim]

I grow in half MG and half FFOF, plus several additives azomite, perlite, dolomite etc. I use MG ferts every watering starting at 1 week. Pics in my sig speak for themself.

 

[ricky1lung]

I mixed up some MG & Promix for my tomatoes I started this morning.

The mix is a nice consistency, I might try an auto in soon.

 

[ricky1lung]

I grow in half MG and half FFOF, plus several additives azomite, perlite, dolomite etc. I use MG ferts every watering starting at 1 week. Pics in my sig speak for themself.

Your grow is exactly one of the one's I was
referring to when I mentioned seeing some awesome MG grows.

Im sub'd up on your journal and have been watching your progress, kinda why
I posted this thread...

 

[Sand4x105]

It has been my experience to draw these conclusions about the MG debate....

I think:

You do not use MG products, if:
if you have never grown anything in your life, and the very first thing you grow and it is MJ... You most likely, do not use MG products...and you are under 30...you have listened to your pot head friends put down MG and you just repeat, what they have said...you have never tried MG but you know it's bad...why would you care about growing a mini citrus tree, or an endangered species... Your friend tried to grow in MG and he sucks...you don't understand why anyone would use a MG product, all of those guys are idiots...

You do use MG products if:
If you have been growing other plants your whole life, strawberrys, tomatos, beets, Orcids, Redwood Trees, Roses, you started with a MG product, and you know even with MJ, it will be fine....and you are probably over 31 years old...Sometimes it's all you can get [it's everywhere]... and you understand why there is bark in it, and how to grow, you read your plants...And you amend it if it is needed, you understand one size does not fit all [Hell, I have a size '8' hat, and 14eee feet-so I know one size does not fit all]...but this fits for you....
And you don't take offense when someone says it don't work... you understand, that guy, is an idiot...

 

[ricky1lung]

It has been my experience to draw these conclusions about the MG debate....

I think:

You do not use MG products, if:
if you have never grown anything in your life, and the very first thing you grow and it is MJ... You most likely, do not use MG products...and you are under 30...you have listened to your pot head friends put down MG and you just repeat, what they have said...you have never tried MG but you know it's bad...why would you care about growing a mini citrus tree, or an endangered species... Your friend tried to grow in MG and he sucks...you don't understand why anyone would use a MG product, all of those guys are idiots...

You do use MG products if:
If you have been growing other plants your whole life, strawberrys, tomatos, beets, Orcids, Redwood Trees, Roses, you started with a MG product, and you know even with MJ, it will be fine....and you are probably over 31 years old...Sometimes it's all you can get [it's everywhere]... and you understand why there is bark in it, and how to grow, you read your plants...And you amend it if it is needed, you understand one size does not fit all [Hell, I have a size '8' hat, and 14eee feet-so I know one size does not fit all]...but this fits for you....
And you don't take offense when someone says it don't work... you understand, that guy, is and idiot...

lol,

I see what your saying. I grow my own garden and amend the soil ( a rather huge area too )
My reasoning for getting away from the MG is to have more control and more of a hands on approach.

I know why the amendments are in the MG, I use MG to amend the sandy soil in my flower beds every year
and we grow some really nice flowers. Just water, weed and done. In that case I swear by it.

The MG gave my plants a good start IMO, you can see them in my journal in my sig. They are at 11 days from
sprout and Im happy with the growth, just wasn't happy with the water and walk away nor the extra unknown
seedlings growing sub surface.

I agree, MG can be used and can do a great job, I have seen it before....lol I don't really understand the taboo
nature of it around here though.

 

[qwizoking]

Why don't you want to water and walk most people would rater not have to check ph and alternate fertilizers etc...anyway seems your mind is set...also what are these other seedlings you keep mentioning,I know your not gonna say it came from the dirt. Most dirt has been sitting their for months,it also comes wet so anything would have sprouted in the bag and died off from lack of ligh or root rot...good luck on your grow by the way

 

[ricky1lung]

Why don't you want to water and walk most people would rater not have to check ph and alternate fertilizers etc...anyway seems your mind is set...also what are these other seedlings you keep mentioning,I know your not gonna say it came from the dirt. Most dirt has been sitting their for months,it also comes wet so anything would have sprouted in the bag and died off from lack of ligh or root rot...good luck on your grow by the way

I like doing more when I take a look at them everyday. Watering and walking just doesn't offer much from a hobby point of view.
I disagree with the sprout comment, I saw it with my own eyes. Really I wouldn't lie about something so trivial and yes I am saying
it came from the dirt.
The soil was stored outdoor at the store over the winter, much like any seed they pretty much stay dormant
through the cold and come alive when they are warmed up or the right conditions are met.

 

[jimmer6577]

I grow in half MG and half FFOF, plus several additives azomite, perlite, dolomite etc. I use MG ferts every watering starting at 1 week. Pics in my sig speak for themself.

On my outside plants I've used MG ferts on and off for years. I did notice you had to be carefull towards the end because of N buildup. Other than that the plants come out nice and healthy.