Grow diary mission impossible (low to medium budget lol)

[BearWater]

@Putthataway Here it is. Page 104 midway down
Justlovetogrow called it first and I hoped it wasn’t so!

 

[cbrians]

Its so true that you can grow organic and end up with dead bud if you cant manage to get a healthy soil for your plants and your microorganisms. My first organic grows were not bad but compared to now after years of trying different ammendments and liquids is much better, still a lot to learn though like the mineral balance but I think vermiculite helps a ton with that without having to make difficult calculations. Im very surprised they talked about all the goodies that organic has that synthetic doesnt like aminos, vitamins, organic carbs, enzymes phytohormones and she fails to mention kelp (maybe I didnt hear her mention it?) which has all of the beforementioned, no need to buy overpriced supplements like the guy suggested and I thought she would bring kelp there. Insect frass is overpriced in Spain but I have considered it before but I think I have more than enough with the supplements I use already.

Vermiculite doesn't directly alter soil mineral balance in the sense of adding or subtracting minerals. Instead, it improves soil structure and aeration, which indirectly affects how plants can access nutrients.

Here's how vermiculite benefits plant nutrition:

• Improved Aeration:
  Vermiculite creates air pockets in the soil, allowing for better oxygen flow to plant roots. Healthy roots are essential for nutrient uptake.
  
  
• Water Retention:
  Vermiculite can absorb and hold water, preventing it from draining away too quickly. This ensures plants have access to moisture, which is crucial for nutrient transport.
  
  
• Cation Exchange: <<<<<----------MOSTLY THIS
  Vermiculite has a positive charge and can attract and hold positively charged ions like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It can then release these nutrients to the plant roots as needed.

While vermiculite itself doesn't provide a significant source of nutrients, its impact on soil structure and water availability helps plants thrive and access essential minerals already present in the soil.

Damn I thought perlite and vermiculite were the same thing. My dads a farmer, growing up I planted many seeds in starter trays that were just 50/50 compost and vermiculite too bad he’s a twat lmao

 

[Eledin]

Damn I thought perlite and vermiculite were the same thing. My dads a farmer, growing up I planted many seeds in starter trays that were just 50/50 compost and vermiculite too bad he’s a twat lmao

Hahaha no, not even close! Vermiculite is much better but I do use perlite too because I live in a humid area and vermiculite retains more water than perlite so in order to benefit from vermiculite without the pots taking forever to dry I put extra perlite too. I would say maybe around 30% of my soil is perlite and vermiculite and 70% peat, sometimes I throw some coco coir aswell in winter as soil conditioner because using too much perlite is not good, the roots dont grow through perlite like they do through coco so its a good option to not use too much perlite. Another thing is that vermiculite naturally releases silica while perlite doesnt.

 

[BearWater]

Damn I thought perlite and vermiculite were the same thing. My dads a farmer, growing up I planted many seeds in starter trays that were just 50/50 compost and vermiculite too bad he’s a twat lmao

Fuckin left field homie!

My daughter and I just planted some seeds in a tray this morning: ) she’s 4. It was so much fun! we used fox farm light warrior : )

We don’t twat at our house I’ll put a hard stop to any twatting : ) I want to see my grandkids if I get any! and I don’t want my kids to just take off either lol! I already know that’ll hurt like a bitch when they do decide to bounce.

 

[BearWater]

Hahaha no, not even close! Vermiculite is much better but I do use perlite too because I live in a humid area and vermiculite retains more water than perlite so in order to benefit from vermiculite without the pots taking forever to dry I put extra perlite too. I would say maybe around 30% of my soil is perlite and vermiculite and 70% peat, sometimes I throw some coco coir aswell in winter as soil conditioner because using too much perlite is not good, the roots dont grow through perlite like they do through coco so its a good option to not use too much perlite. Another thing is that vermiculite naturally releases silica while perlite doesnt.

Im interested in giving it a shot for the water retention. I’m thinking of upping my pot size, keeping the peat mix I use and switching to vermiculite. Is it a considerable amount longer your medium stays wet without the added perlite?

 

[Eledin]

Im interested in giving it a shot for the water retention. I’m thinking of upping my pot size, keeping the peat mix I use and switching to vermiculite. Is it a considerable amount longer your medium stays wet without the added perlite?

I would say that perlite is pretty much essential so your soil dries properly, its just how much you need that changes. Some mixes have 10%, some 20% and biobizz has 30% the highest Ive seen but it worked great for me with my high humidity problems until I started making my own. You will find your sweet spot. If you live in a very dry area maybe you can get away with using only vermiculite. The reason Dr. Bugbee uses 50% peat and 50% vermiculite is because they push the DLI to the maximum so they have no problem with the soil drying, in fact it benefits them, but its different depending on the enviromental conditions where you live and those of your tent.
EDIT: They also have industrial fans, its not the same as a tent, they grow in big rooms with a lot of ventilation, or did, I assume they still do, and all the parameters meassured to perfection so the soil is not too wet or dry. I dont have that luxury because its too expensive for me as of now but having everything monitored and automated is great if the tools are precise.

 

[Eledin]

I mean there are other options but there's no need, perlite is cheap and works well. But there's also arlite, tree bark, shredded wood... and each one has its own benefits, if you wanna look into it there's plenty of information of what each excel at. Vermiculite also benefits microorganisms way more than perlite, while they can live inside perlite they thrive inside vermiculite and arlite, or tree bark because they hold more water and nutrients. But the more things you add the harder it will be to calibrate hahaha.

 

[cbrians]

Fuckin left field homie!

My daughter and I just planted some seeds in a tray this morning: ) she’s 4. It was so much fun! we used fox farm light warrior : )

We don’t twat at our house I’ll put a hard stop to any twatting : ) I want to see my grandkids if I get any! and I don’t want my kids to just take off either lol! I already know that’ll hurt like a bitch when they do decide to bounce.

I mean we twat but we also try to communicate WHY we get bitchy when we do. I don’t want the kids growing up with the idea that they can’t have certain emotions or feelings. They can feel it all. Just can’t take it out on other people lol

My seven year old was getting real cranky playing with little sis when he ran off to his room for a bit. He came back and told me that his sister was making him real
mad and he wanted to squish her so he went to his room years beyond my emotional intelligence

but seriously I need them around when I’m older too they’re my only friends other than some internet druggies with strange aliases. What kind of water do bears like anyways? Do they like hot dog water?

 

[MartyMcFly42oh]

@MartyMcFly42oh dude did you catch the database that you can cross check all the native plants to your area and their compounds and how they would effect the plants! Super cool!

No I didn’t catch that, but I only grow indoors. So unless were talking 12 seed cover crop I haven’t introduced anything else to the soil I use.

 

[GeorgeJ10]

Alright here I am in the correct spot of the forum for posting a dairy (Thank you to the helpful members). !DISCLAIMER! I ramble at times and am easily distracted! And if I ever read as if I’m high as shit, I more than likely am. With that said Ill try and keep this thread on track and as intelligent as I can HAHAHA!

So as my intro on the other thread stated, I’m not completely new to growing but very new to solo indoor runs. The strains I have chose to go with are XX and Raskals OG non fem photoperiod. They are currently soaking, and will do so for about another 5 hours at which point ill get them in their paper towel germination station (grow container for pods with the plastic top and the pod organizer removed on a heat mat). From there the seedlings will be going into Fox farms Light Warrior with a blend of worm castings ONLY, i may or may not add some perlite to the entire mix to make it “lighter”.

Onto the “growing space”. I have 12x12ish prebuilt type shed that im making a 6x8 grow space within. it’ll make more sense if you read on and once I get it finished along with pics! Im using foam board insulation and 2x3s for reinforcements of the false walls and (germ room!) I know! ill get it finished in the next few days and post the pics. My lighting situation is less than ideal at the moment I have 12 4ft 42watt led full spectrum white light that i use for all my veggie start on a rack. I took that all apart and made my own rail to attach them all together as ”one light”. Im hoping to be able to get something more powerful in the future but at the moment that’s all im able to come up with, I’m confident it will get the plants to where they need to be by the time theyll require a “real” grow light. If that doesnt happen ill flower out with what i got.

The soil im using will be organic soil ill mix myself from the local worm/soil place. I honestly forgot the name of nutes im going to use (theres a whole regiment of them from start to finish), along with some added things along the way in the form of fish poop water and meals and guanos. Ill get a very detailed list of all of that as i acquire them and apply them.

as a finish to the diary intro I know its a little pipe dreamy, I have faith and have always been a half glass full type of person with a heavy dose of plan for the worst and hope for the best mentality even if the odds are stacked against me, so with that said I am also a very realistic person and can and will recognize a futile situation. Im very open to suggestions and input and any questions! thanks for reading!

Really need this! thanks for this mann! llove it

 

[BearWater]

No I didn’t catch that, but I only grow indoors. So unless we’re talking 12 seed cover crop I haven’t introduced anything else to the soil I use.

that makes sense. I’m looking by into cover crops today! Going to try and get them going on the pots! : )

 

[BearWater]

I mean we twat but we also try to communicate WHY we get bitchy when we do. I don’t want the kids growing up with the idea that they can’t have certain emotions or feelings. They can feel it all. Just can’t take it out on other people lol

My seven year old was getting real cranky playing with little sis when he ran off to his room for a bit. He came back and told me that his sister was making him real
mad and he wanted to squish her so he went to his room years beyond my emotional intelligence

but seriously I need them around when I’m older too they’re my only friends other than some internet druggies with strange aliases. What kind of water do bears like anyways? Do they like hot dog water?

100% by no means do we not honor our emotions here or feelings. I guess I had an idea what I twat was and ran with it! Hahaha. So the last two weeks I’ve been actively separating the 4 and 7 year old all day! That got their attention and they’ve been playing nice. We let them work it out, it’s mostly peaceful with some yelling but thank the gods they don’t “fight”. My idiot brother used to chase me around with all sorts of shit. And I was twice his size and still am. Never wanted to hurt him lol. My step dad always told the little fucker “you’re lucky your brother has the disposition he does have!” now talk about about a TWAT! (Not my step dad) the man was a saint! Pretty sure he was married to Dorthy mantooth in another life!

 

[BearWater]

Really need this! thanks for this mann! llove it

Glad you found it! : ) if you got any questions I’ll do my best to answer them.

Are you starting an indoor project or shed set up? : )

 

[cbrians]

100% by no means do we not honor our emotions here or feelings. I guess I had an idea what I twat was and ran with it! Hahaha. So the last two weeks I’ve been actively separating the 4 and 7 year old all day! That got their attention and they’ve been playing nice. We let them work it out, it’s mostly peaceful with some yelling but thank the gods they don’t “fight”. My idiot brother used to chase me around with all sorts of shit. And I was twice his size and still am. Never wanted to hurt him lol. My step dad always told the little fucker “you’re lucky your brother has the disposition he does have!” now talk about about a TWAT! (Not my step dad) the man was a saint! Pretty sure he was married to Dorthy mantooth in another life!

Oh no I’m not offended! Was just sleep deprived and trying to be overly clear. I need to work more lols in

My 10, 7, and 5 year old work each other up all the time! I swear any two of them together it’s the best but when all three are there it’s a shit show haha. I heard that if your wife still cares enough to be super mad at you, she still loves you. Hope that translates to siblings lol

I got a step brother that I’m two weeks older than, we actively butt heads all the time lol. Met at 9. One time he threw a super soaker at me from a tree he climbed up. In case you wanna hear about my trauma

 

[BearWater]

Oh no I’m not offended! Was just sleep deprived and trying to be overly clear. I need to work more lols in

My 10, 7, and 5 year old work each other up all the time! I swear any two of them together it’s the best but when all three are there it’s a shit show haha. I heard that if your wife still cares enough to be super mad at you, she still loves you. Hope that translates to siblings lol

I got a step brother that I’m two weeks older than, we actively butt heads all the time lol. Met at 9. One time he threw a super soaker at me from a tree he climbed up. In case you wanna hear about my trauma

I shot my brother in the eye with a super soaker once!

dude my little pick on each other like you say but my god if someone else around is giving them shit they will pack up on the threat with out hesitation to make sure their sibling is safe and ok! they fiercely love and adore one another! they are so solid!

my wife says its very important for them to fight as siblings. i mean they cant fuck each other up! but it helps them learn : ) i get it. i support it. but god damn as the stay at home parent who has to listen to all the bickering

 

[BearWater]

Youre doing a great job honestly, they look chunky and frosty!

Thank you Eledin! im feeling it for sure i just have a hard time thinking positive… if i start doing that bad things will happen (im very broken lol)

 

[Greenadian]

I toughed my 2yr younger brother up....for years!!! Still can't fight and from 7yrs old I fought all his battles (as soon as he started losing them) So nowadays, at least he is somewhat mentally tough I was 10 and he was 8, we watched a Kevin Costner movie, pulled out the old bow and arrow our parents bought us from the St Jacobs Farmers market. I had him trapped and fired!!!! Stuck it in his left ass cheek, cried a little......took him to the back pool shed, pulled that out before the parents found out. Grabbed a rag and doused it in gas, wrapped it around an arrow, lit that on fire and let my brother shoot it over the road and into the freshly harvested corn field!!!! Ooopppps!!!! Man did I ever get a beaten feom the old man

 

[BearWater]

I toughed my 2yr younger brother up....for years!!! Still can't fight and from 7yrs old I fought all his battles (as soon as he started losing them) So nowadays, at least he is somewhat mentally tough I was 10 and he was 8, we watched a Kevin Costner movie, pulled out the old bow and arrow our parents bought us from the St Jacobs Farmers market. I had him trapped and fired!!!! Stuck it in his left ass cheek, cried a little......took him to the back pool shed, pulled that out before the parents found out. Grabbed a rag and doused it in gas, wrapped it around an arrow, lit that on fire and let my brother shoot it over the road and into the freshly harvested corn field!!!! Ooopppps!!!! Man did I ever get a beaten feom the old man

This is going on my “best story ever” list oh my god! the fire arrow over the road! LMAO!

 

[Eledin]

Thank you Eledin! im feeling it for sure i just have a hard time thinking positive… if i start doing that bad things will happen (im very broken lol)

I feel you man, I have to medicate so my brain doesnt sabotage me 24/7 and Im not talking just about weed but when I always think it could be better I always try to remind myself that it could be worse and try to think of all the things I have that I should be thankful for, that helps me fight depression. Im okay now but Ive been in very dark places before, stay strong it always gets better sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better but we come out stronger and wiser than before, right? The more you grow the less intrusive thoughts about it going badly you will have.

 

[BearWater]

I feel you man, I have to medicate so my brain doesnt sabotage me 24/7 and Im not talking just about weed but when I always think it could be better I always try to remind myself that it could be worse and try to think of all the things I have that I should be thankful for, that helps me fight depression. Im okay now but Ive been in very dark places before, stay strong it always gets better sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better but we come out stronger and wiser than before, right? The more you grow the less intrusive thoughts about it going badly you will have.

Thanks for the kind words yeah in my older age (i still consider myself young lol) but having more experiences and looking at what i have and how absolutely wonderful life is, has become way easier to snap out of that funk! : ) not taking life seriously (within reason) is also a big way of life around here. just being goofy helps lol!