So who here is growing in true organic living soil?
- Thread starter Rrog
- Start date
Someacdude
Active Member
Right on, i was wondering because these things are going nuts, even the ones we started from seed are ridiculous , Thanks again guys
Rrog
Well-Known Member
I planted some Bocking 14 Comfrey three weeks ago at my new place. Great plant to send down roots 30-40 feet to haul up minerals. Super great fertilizer. Just rip up the leaves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey
Soil is really shitty so more of an experiment. I haven't seen them since planting. Hoping most survived
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey
Soil is really shitty so more of an experiment. I haven't seen them since planting. Hoping most survived
Mad Hamish
Well-Known Member
Random interesting article on using Gypsum:
https://www.agronomy.org/files/publications/crops-and-soils/amending-soils-with-gypsum.pdf
https://www.agronomy.org/files/publications/crops-and-soils/amending-soils-with-gypsum.pdf
Mad Hamish
Well-Known Member
I've decided to take the learning curve as follows: Going to be cooking one soil batch per month, just a basic mix with lime and compost, minimal amendments (although gypsum is now a standard in my base mixes). As I go for the second runs I will be watching and experimenting quite a lot. There will be 'control' plants each run off an UN-AMENDED recycled soil so I can A/B compare. I have a feeling recycled soil will need a focus on re mineralisation and aeration basically, with top-ups on compost also. Teas can take care of the rest, trying to see exactly how simple I can keep things and I have a feeling the answer is going to be 'REALLY simple' 
Rrog
Well-Known Member
I am anxious to see what you wind up with. I'm also pushing for simpler. I'm looking at omitting clay powders, for example. It's a pain to acquire, and I can't find a single function that clay powder provides that the Humus, biochar and organic matter aren't already providing.
I think of Fukuoka. The simpler he became, the better things grew. That's the path that interests me. I'd like to increase the ease and lower the cost. Use more locally available sources.
I think of Fukuoka. The simpler he became, the better things grew. That's the path that interests me. I'd like to increase the ease and lower the cost. Use more locally available sources.
Mad Hamish
Well-Known Member
I am personally finding the 'less is more' approach to be working all through my life. I call it the 'Zen Approach'. I am finding my gardening and life all intertwined in ways I never imagined before.
I just found bio-char to buy by the bag full
STOKED!
Rrog
Well-Known Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEkFFRjDkvs
Hamish- this is right in line with what you were telling me about reclaiming my sandy soil. Uses wood chips and composting mushrooms. www.fungi.com Looking at Hypsizygus (HUG) as they winter well, eat wood chips like a champ, and are tasty!
Hamish- this is right in line with what you were telling me about reclaiming my sandy soil. Uses wood chips and composting mushrooms. www.fungi.com Looking at Hypsizygus (HUG) as they winter well, eat wood chips like a champ, and are tasty!
Mad Hamish
Well-Known Member
I am falling in love with fungi. They seem to be the pillar of a healthy soil. Bacteria, yes, sure, but the fungi seem to be more important 'workhorse' microbes than anything else. Definitely my next level of focus. I am thinking seeing as they are the first 'extension' of our plants into the microscopic (mycorrhizae) and it all extends from there on, I think fungi are a good thing to focus on for now as far as I am concerned.
I'm thinking of adding spawn to my soil mixes. Imagine a harvest of Oyster Mushrooms growing under your reefer. Thanks for that idea Java
Someacdude
Active Member
Awesomeness
Javadog
Well-Known Member
My pleasure. I am a Trusted Cultivator of mushrooms, so let me knowI am falling in love with fungi. They seem to be the pillar of a healthy soil. Bacteria, yes, sure, but the fungi seem to be more important 'workhorse' microbes than anything else. Definitely my next level of focus. I am thinking seeing as they are the first 'extension' of our plants into the microscopic (mycorrhizae) and it all extends from there on, I think fungi are a good thing to focus on for now as far as I am concerned.
I'm thinking of adding spawn to my soil mixes. Imagine a harvest of Oyster Mushrooms growing under your reefer. Thanks for that idea Java
if you are trying to make your own spawn.
Hypsizygus is a wonderful genus, but I might recommend Pleurotis first
(the Oysters) as they are very strong growers, and very forgiving.
You might find that what will determine your own best answer is what
species survive the local bugs.
Here is a flush of P. cubensis Quila, growing in a pot of mint:
Take care,
JD
HGK420
Well-Known Member
Whats your thoughts on this everyone? http://alldayorganics.com/images/BSTrifoldWeb.jpg
im gonna do a couple plants michigan made only and this stuff is gonna be the main ingredient.
gonna use the michigan M3 soil or whatever its called http://www.milehighsoil.com/marihuana-mix/
and some more from all day organics http://alldayorganics.com/images/SSWebTrifold.jpg
now i know this is all rather costly but im trying to figure out a bulletproof way to get a couple growers i know off the bottle. they dont even know how plants work and aren't really the reading type. i figure if i can send em home with a bag of dirt with a super super simple tea mix then its a win win for everyone involved.
im gonna do a couple plants michigan made only and this stuff is gonna be the main ingredient.
gonna use the michigan M3 soil or whatever its called http://www.milehighsoil.com/marihuana-mix/
and some more from all day organics http://alldayorganics.com/images/SSWebTrifold.jpg
now i know this is all rather costly but im trying to figure out a bulletproof way to get a couple growers i know off the bottle. they dont even know how plants work and aren't really the reading type. i figure if i can send em home with a bag of dirt with a super super simple tea mix then its a win win for everyone involved.
Rrog
Well-Known Member
I can appreciate having a bagged soil ready to go to get someone to try it. I admire you for that. I've often thought about just making a base mix that a person would just mix with sphagnum peat and go. The acquiring and mixing of all the ingredients intimidates a lot of people and I can understand why. I've been looking for a simpler way as you describe.
HGK420
Well-Known Member
that would be awesome rrog. ive thought about doing the same thing. currently my soil is mixed up by an old timer that just has the feel for it. i actually dont know the recipe at all. i know its all shit NOT from normal grow shops too. BUT thats takin him many many years to dial in. i asked him if he could pre mix something and he thought it could be possible. we have just never sat down and worked it out. hes got a massive pile of old dirt that we reuse. i take all my old organic root balls to him to add to the pile and he sends me home with buckets ready to go.
organics are finally starting to take off in the popular grow world, i think you could really do alot of good with some kind of ready to mix TLO soil amendment. both for your wallet and for the patients!
organics are finally starting to take off in the popular grow world, i think you could really do alot of good with some kind of ready to mix TLO soil amendment. both for your wallet and for the patients!