Organic Soil mix contest discussion.

[Natep]

I guess I will just compete against myself like usual.
View attachment 2327715

I need some time. My tents are all full at the moment. I’m thinking around the first of the year.

 

[The_Greenist]

For sure, I'm just itchin for rules and regulations so I can craft my master plan

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

This is a cool idea. I don't mix my own soil but I'd love to watch the competition.

 

[mancorn]

I think you’re all looking at this wrong. Since growing has too many variables, soil being just one, a “soil” contest should judge the soil - not how good your grow setup is. Everyone should make their soil, then send it in to the lab for testing. Isn’t that basically what BAS is touting with their Batch Soiling Testing? Just need to decide what the winning numbers should look like.

 

[Zzzax]

I'm a living soil guy so my two cents are "The Holy Bale."
I had some fun with ChatGPT about this thread. Enjoy the image Dall-E generated.

 

[BearWater]

I think you’re all looking at this wrong. Since growing has too many variables, soil being just one, a “soil” contest should judge the soil - not how good your grow setup is. Everyone should make their soil, then send it in to the lab for testing. Isn’t that basically what BAS is touting with their Batch Soiling Testing? Just need to decide what the winning numbers should look like.

Thats like the formula one of soil man. Were friday night open class around here! im just kidding! The level of growers here is top notch. Im talking about the soil testing : ) I get what you’re saying and I think that could be something, great idea! : )

 

[Zzzax]

If you love your garden ... Your garden will love you: A Organic Wisdom.

 

[Natep]

I think you’re all looking at this wrong. Since growing has too many variables, soil being just one, a “soil” contest should judge the soil - not how good your grow setup is. Everyone should make their soil, then send it in to the lab for testing. Isn’t that basically what BAS is touting with their Batch Soiling Testing? Just need to decide what the winning numbers should look like.

If only we knew what the magic number are.

 

[Natep]

For sure, I'm just itchin for rules and regulations so I can craft my master plan

I’m hoping some of the people on here will chime in on rules. So far I’m thinking 10-15 gallon max any pot goes. Pre mixed soil is ok. 2 week bake. 4-6 week veg 1 amend at flip. Thinking starting the first of the year. What you think? I would like this to help show people how easy this can be.

 

[Graham.Bagg]

Sounds like a good framework @Natep, now you need to drill down to the minutiae

Is the 1st of year when we start building soil or when we splash?

Only 1 dressing at flip, but what about teas? Compost tea, EWC tea, enzyme tea, etc. Are those allowed or are they considered amendments, and it is strictly water only?

Up potting. Is there a limit to the # of times you can up pot? You could almost game the system by doing consecutive up pots and infusing new soil throughout the grow.


I am sure there are many other details to iron out. Those are just some things I thought about.

 

[Mikedin]

I love earthboxes. I have two in a 2x4. Easiest grow I have.

I have seriously been considering them watching build a soil a LOT lately and may pick up a earth box or a 20-30 gallon living soil pot

 

[Mikedin]

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.

EarthBox Sub Irrigated Planter

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The one gallon challenge taught a lot of people about strain selection based off environmental constraints

 

[Graham.Bagg]

Getting out of your comfort zone is good. It forces you to grow as a … err … grower.

 

[Natep]

The one gallon challenge taught a lot of people about strain selection based off environmental constraints

I’ve been using the city picker pots. Mostly because I like the size. 2 fill the bottom of a 2x4 really good. The one gallon challenge has kicked my ass. Organic was not the way to go.

 

[Natep]

Sounds like a good framework @Natep, now you need to drill down to the minutiae

Is the 1st of year when we start building soil or when we splash?

Only 1 dressing at flip, but what about teas? Compost tea, EWC tea, enzyme tea, etc. Are those allowed or are they considered amendments, and it is strictly water only?

Up potting. Is there a limit to the # of times you can up pot? You could almost game the system by doing consecutive up pots and infusing new soil throughout the grow.


I am sure there are many other details to iron out. Those are just some things I thought about.

All good question. I would like this to really show what people soil mixes can do. I’m thinking we stay away from Teas. Also think maybe slowing 1 up size of pots. So if you start in a solo cup then into your final pot.

 

[mancorn]

Enjoy the image Dall-E generated.

I started a AI image thread a couple days ago if you have more

AI Buds

Was fooling around today generating AI buds and decided to post a few. (It’s funny how all the leaf tips are burned - so everyone must be over fertilizing and teaching the Large Language Models poor practices.) Anyway if you got any AI photos post away.

www.thcfarmer.com

 

[Mikedin]

I’ve been using the city picker pots. Mostly because I like the size. 2 fill the bottom of a 2x4 really good. The one gallon challenge has kicked my ass. Organic was not the way to go.

I managed to get her to hang on, damn close to chop now, the one gallon really presents a challenge when ran organic but damn it was a blast I can’t believe it’s almost chop time

(Ps I used the same mix I mentioned above for the gallon challenge)

 

[RootFarmer]

@Mikedin You can say that again, brother! Lol The strain I'm growing would have been my last choice from the genetics I have. In the end I was happy to have anything sprout.....or so I thought.

@Graham.Bagg Definitely been out of my comfort zone. A challenging strain, changes in growing environment, light/power issues, crazy weather and I haven't grown "indoors" for like 15 yrs. Going from outdoors with virtually no control to a tent with somewhat controllable conditions but still less than ideal, it's been interesting, to say the least.

 

[BearWater]

I would like this to help show people how easy this can be.

I like this right here : ) when I go to the feed store I always check out the dry bulk amendments and think it would be cool to make a mix but think to myself “thats scary” id just burn the F outta my plant! Hahah. Really looking forward to this event happening! I’d definitely be lurkin in the dark on that thread! : ) being if I did try this run out could I use someone’s mix? Or does defeat the purpose of the spirit of competition? I was thinking I could “while lurking” just follow along a week or two behind doing my soil and plant.

 

[BearWater]

The one gallon challenge taught a lot of people about strain selection based off environmental constraints

The 1Gal challenge OPENED my eyes the F up! im still scratching my head over that comp! Hahahah! It started a fire in my being of getting a pack of GMOxOkie seeds and doing a full run of just those!

Had hella fun though with all you guys and gals with the banter and of course the learning! (even if I flopped out of the comp)