soil soil for a beginner

Malarky · Mar 15, 2016

Cool. I think I'll start with the FFOF until I learn to make my own soil. Thanks everyone!

mpicante · Mar 15, 2016

FFOF IS REALLY GOOD STUFF.NOW IF YOU DONT ALREADY KNOW YOU WONT BE NEEDING ANY FERTS FOR AWHILE.

And make sure your water is chlorine free!

Malarky · Mar 15, 2016

non softened water left to air out the chlorine? overnight? 24-48hrs?
how long to adequately vent the chlorine?

alkhall · Mar 15, 2016

I believe 24 hours would usually be adequate.

mpicante · Mar 15, 2016

Yes 24 hours and you should be good to go.

Myxlplyk · Mar 15, 2016

If your water is treated by chloramine, and not chlorine, you have a bigger problem. Chloramine does not dissipate in 24 hours. This article states that that is one of the main reasons it is used over chlorine... its staying power.

http://www.hightimes.com/read/grow-hack-how-remove-chlorine-tap-water

austin87 · Mar 16, 2016

I germinated in red cups with plastic bags over the top and I'm having excellent germination rates less than 2 weeks in. I do have a heat mat and a T5 light (light doesn't matter for germination but it helps with daytime heat). I used Black Gold organic potting mix with added perlite in a 5:1 potting soil:perlite ratio.

I've used FFOF growing other things and it worked well.

Scuba_Steve · Mar 16, 2016

If you have an aquarium air pump, the chlorine will be gone in a few hours max.

SteelHeat · Mar 19, 2016

Pro-mix, Menards.

Malarky · Mar 19, 2016

SteelHeat said:
Pro-mix, Menards.

straight promix?

SteelHeat · Mar 19, 2016

Malarky said:
straight promix?

Think the one by me has BX and organic.

Malarky · Mar 19, 2016

SteelHeat said:
Think the one by me has BX and organic.

sorry I meant to ask if you use the promix straight or use it in a recipe?

AJ Drew · Mar 20, 2016

Not sure why, but different people seem to have different results from different mixtures and products. So I am going to say when you are starting out you should keep it simple. Fox Farms is great if you can find it, but (cant believe I am going to say this), Miracle Grow seed starter is everywhere. You let your water sit overnight an then dont worry about nutrients while they are seedlings. Later, the more comfortable you feel you start goofing with your own mix or better premades. Never an all or nothing thing, just sort of feeling till you fall in love with one.