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Organic Soil mix contest discussion.

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Organic Soil mix contest discussion.

Natep 114 Replies 8,911 Views
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Pot size will be dependent upon which amendments are allowed, and how often your mix can be amended.

If it is just make soil and water only for comp, you will likely need 7 gallons minimum to make it all the way through without amending, and even then…

If it is single amendments additions only, such as meals or castings, you will need to make sure you have significantly more aeration to your soil to start, as those amendments will “weigh” your mix down, and cause drainage issues the further along in your grow that you get.

Will organic fertilizers be allowed in the initial making of soil, or will it be strictly mineral and media inputs?

I like to cook my soil for at least 30 days, but prefer much longer.

Lastly, there will be a pretty significant barrier to entry for those not currently running living soil, and have to make.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer. Just things to consider. Depending on timing, I would most likely jump in this “competition/challenge” as well.
Completely agree. This is why we talk about it now.
 
Being organic is not really that important. I think it would be more about showing how far your mix can carry things.
No worries. I only asked because "organic" is in the title. I'd be interested to learn what that means to other folks.
 
How about someone who buys a couple bags of COM Stonington blend and uses it right out of the bag? Is there a prize for simplicity? I grow in a small room in a finished basement and the wife insists that it’s all confined to the 11x12 grow room. Three small tents, two totes nested on a furniture dolly. Not much room for mixing on a tarp.
 
How about someone who buys a couple bags of COM Stonington blend and uses it right out of the bag? Is there a prize for simplicity? I grow in a small room in a finished basement and the wife insists that it’s all confined to the 11x12 grow room. Three small tents, two totes nested on a furniture dolly. Not much room for mixing on a tarp.
I've seen poeople who grow right in the bag. They just poke a few drainage holes in the bottom and a slit in the top for the plant and watering. Seems to work with smallish plants.
 
Not necessarily. Idea is to show that plants can make it all the way through flower with water only.
Can you change the thread title? Just wondering if those who aren't organic growers might skip over this and miss out.
 
Pot size will be dependent upon which amendments are allowed, and how often your mix can be amended.

If it is just make soil and water only for comp, you will likely need 7 gallons minimum to make it all the way through without amending, and even then…

If it is single amendments additions only, such as meals or castings, you will need to make sure you have significantly more aeration to your soil to start, as those amendments will “weigh” your mix down, and cause drainage issues the further along in your grow that you get.

Will organic fertilizers be allowed in the initial making of soil, or will it be strictly mineral and media inputs?

I like to cook my soil for at least 30 days, but prefer much longer.

Lastly, there will be a pretty significant barrier to entry for those not currently running living soil, and have to make.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer. Just things to consider. Depending on timing, I would most likely jump in this “competition/challenge” as well.
I’ve made it work in 3 gallon with two top dressings in flower with a ton of success.

So I think it can be managed as long as we say exactly how many top dressings, and what additives ARENT allowed.
 
So the jist is to see who can make a soil, organic or not, to go to full harvest without any assistance from us other than water?

I agree that 7 gallon pot would be cutting it close. 10 would be better but I think even a little bigger like 12 would be a decent buffer to go to harvest on water alone.

I'm not a big proponent of indoor organics. Outdoor for sure but indoor? Not enough time to truly make it organic so it was good that someone asked about if it had to actually be "organic".
 
So the jist is to see who can make a soil, organic or not, to go to full harvest without any assistance from us other than water?

I agree that 7 gallon pot would be cutting it close. 10 would be better but I think even a little bigger like 12 would be a decent buffer to go to harvest on water alone.

I'm not a big proponent of indoor organics. Outdoor for sure but indoor? Not enough time to truly make it organic so it was good that someone asked about if it had to actually be "organic".
Exactly. It’s just about who can make the best soil.
 
I think a max pot size needs to be addressed.
How could you even call it a contest or fair if someone only has means for a 7 gallon and someone else has the means for 80+ gallons and the experience of doing it.

I sure won't waste a seed, medium, or money knowing someone else has a giant organic bed and I only have 5-7 gallons to work with.
Maybe an Auto, 8-10 weeks sprout to harvest isn't that long I guess.

The only way to make it fair would be to allow the people with smaller pots to ammend at some point or put a cap on max pot size to level the playing field a little.
 
I think a max pot size needs to be addressed.
How could you even call it a contest or fair if someone only has means for a 7 gallon and someone else has the means for 80+ gallons and the experience of doing it.

I sure won't waste a seed, medium, or money knowing someone else has a giant organic bed and I only have 5-7 gallons to work with.
Maybe an Auto, 8-10 weeks sprout to harvest isn't that long I guess.

The only way to make it fair would be to allow the people with smaller pots to ammend at some point or put a cap on max pot size to level the playing field a little.
Have everyone just use earth boxes. Even playing field, the other question is, will we all be running the same strain? Some stains are hungrier than others. Too gain an advantage, grab an easy going pheno.
 
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Have everyone just use earth boxes. Even playing field, the other question is, will we all be running the same strain? Some stains are hungrier than others. Too gain an advantage, grab an easy going pheno.
I love earthboxes. I have two in a 2x4. Easiest grow I have.
 
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