From coco to living soil

Lp_jr · Apr 1, 2022

I'm thinking of following Grow Weed Easy's living soil plan this time, since it seems the most simplistic.

I've read up on others posts and on build a soil, and it looks like the process can get as complex as you want it to be.

I typically grow in 3 gallon containers and wanted to know if 1-are those big enough for a water only grow, and 2- does the GWE method seem like a decent option?

mysticepipedon · Apr 1, 2022

It's tough to do a water only grow, because even nutrient packed organic soils start to run low after 4-6 weeks. So if you do your last transplant just before flipping (if you're using photo plants) you will probably have to supplement about a month into flower.

2Bad · Apr 1, 2022

Lp_jr said:
I'm thinking of following Grow Weed Easy's living soil plan this time, since it seems the most simplistic.

I've read up on others posts and on build a soil, and it looks like the process can get as complex as you want it to be.

I typically grow in 3 gallon containers and wanted to know if 1-are those big enough for a water only grow, and 2- does the GWE method seem like a decent option?

Gwe has some good methods I loved their coco one. Follow it and let us know how it goes! good luck!

Lp_jr · Apr 2, 2022

2Bad said:
Gwe has some good methods I loved their coco one. Follow it and let us know how it goes! good luck!

Will do.

Trying 'All Gas OG' from Humbolt this time. I may also use some tea from Dragonfly, like Fat Flowers as well.

LivingBlackSoil · Apr 2, 2022

3gallon is too small

Theindoorfarmer · Apr 2, 2022

Not certain about the gwe method. The environment plays a big role in the watering part. And also starting a seedling in a 5gal is for advanced growers or to be avoided. I would transplant to 1- 1.5gal and wait till they are the size you want to flower(so half the final height) then flower in 5-7 gal maybe ten depends on the set up. The issue with seedling in 5 gal is that it is hard to get the watering right and it’s not like coco that you can flood with no issue. Overwatering is easy with soil and best way to avoid any issues is to size plant to pot. Like transplant never bigger than 2x to 3x you’re previous pot size. So start in propagation and follow what I previously said. I am using Gaia green right now and being a coco guy myself I find this very less time consuming and I have more time to enjoy my grow instead of always mixing shit up lol. Tip also weight the pot wet and go with weight of pot not that knuckle non sens. I always start by watering 5%of pot size to 10%max per watering. Good luck in your living soil journey!

Lp_jr · Apr 4, 2022

LivingBlackSoil said:
3gallon is too small

Roger that...5 gal it is.

Lp_jr · Apr 4, 2022

Can you use silica in an organic grow?

LivingBlackSoil · Apr 4, 2022

Lp_jr said:
Roger that...5 gal it is.

Smallest I run is 10g fabric and the Earthbox. I plan to move to 15-20. Jeremy ran some 5s in video series for build a soil. Definitely doable.

Theindoorfarmer · Apr 4, 2022

LivingBlackSoil said:
Smallest I run is 10g fabric and the Earthbox. I plan to move to 15-20. Jeremy ran some 5s in video series for build a soil. Definitely doable.

Depends on your style. 15 to 20 gal in a tent would never work. Imagine trying to control your environment properly. He goes for higher pot size because he tries to avoid the need to top dress and also because he has the space and equipment for his style of grow. It also takes a long time to veg a 15-20 plant and limits your count. But if that works for you great but for me I like to have diversity and short veg to get the most out of my grow. I would go 4 5-7 gal in a 4x4 tent max or 1 big plant in a 15-20 gal that I would need to veg a long time(because 4 plants in 15 gal 4x4 tent is a waste of media and also brings up your cost for your grow). Again comes down to what you want;
Long veg and maybe a big yield or shorts veg with diversity.
I don’t know his setup but 5-7 gal is plenty if you top dress half way and pretty sure you get great yield also.

Theindoorfarmer · Apr 4, 2022

Lp_jr said:
Can you use silica in an organic grow?

Power Si is a unique organic biomix, a primary source of highly bioavailable monosilicic acid, supplemented with bio-minerals. Power Si is the only silica product on the market that uses a patented silicic acid matrix for superior absorption.

I use power si so I am not certain about all the other silica product out there sorry

2Bad · Apr 4, 2022

Just wanted to say all pots have different dimensions and sometimes hold more then others. My 3 Gallon ac infinity pot is almost the same size as my 7 gallon vivosun. crazy.

GanjaFarmer24 · Apr 4, 2022

I started growing in coco perlite 2 years ago, I've since moved to soil with dry organic amendments. I make fewer mistakes when all I got to do is add water.

Lp_jr · Apr 5, 2022

GanjaFarmer24 said:
I started growing in coco perlite 2 years ago, I've since moved to soil with dry organic amendments. I make fewer mistakes when all I got to do is add water.

Great to hear!

Lp_jr · Apr 9, 2022

I wrote to Mill's to see if their Vitalize(silica) is organic or at least to find out if its beneficial in a living soil grow. I have it, which is why I was asking.

Dudethatsweet · Apr 9, 2022

I'm not familiar with the GWE method but I've grown in living soil the way nature intended (with a scientific twist) most of my life.
With some plants, you can get away with a just add water routine or really close to it. That also depends on your water supply. If its a good source with the right trace elements. If your using RO, you always need to add a little something.

But, many strains are real vigorous users and you need that in mind while preparing your soil ahead of time. I remember many decades ago when I first saw jobes plant spikes it made a light bulb go off. Now I'll add my own spike mixes for veg and flower to the perimeter of the final pots at transplant. I've learned to hold off on high P rations in spikes, that gets added in flower with DE and a few other boosters. A little dolomite also helps to keep the spikes from affecting pH while breaking down.

Of the living soil methods I am familiar: I think the Rev has a really good handle with his 2nd edition book True Living Organics.
Happy growing

Green side up^
DtS

AZsunfarmer · Apr 9, 2022

Theindoorfarmer said:
Not certain about the gwe method. The environment plays a big role in the watering part. And also starting a seedling in a 5gal is for advanced growers or to be avoided. I would transplant to 1- 1.5gal and wait till they are the size you want to flower(so half the final height) then flower in 5-7 gal maybe ten depends on the set up. The issue with seedling in 5 gal is that it is hard to get the watering right and it’s not like coco that you can flood with no issue. Overwatering is easy with soil and best way to avoid any issues is to size plant to pot. Like transplant never bigger than 2x to 3x you’re previous pot size. So start in propagation and follow what I previously said. I am using Gaia green right now and being a coco guy myself I find this very less time consuming and I have more time to enjoy my grow instead of always mixing shit up lol. Tip also weight the pot wet and go with weight of pot not that knuckle non sens. I always start by watering 5%of pot size to 10%max per watering. Good luck in your living soil journey!

Any tips on transplanting up? I agree with starting seedlings in 5 gal pots with living soil, it’s hard. I can do it with photos because they can chill and root for an extra month when that soil never seems to dry but Autos kill me. My other problem with autos is when I transplant i stunt the hell out of them and am worse off that just starting in a 5 gal. I think I need to get some mycos and maybe use gloves when I go from a solo cup to a pot or in ground even.

Theindoorfarmer · Apr 9, 2022

Y’a, no you don’t want to transplant autos. There you just need to remember to water the plant and not the pot.

Theindoorfarmer · Apr 9, 2022

I don’t like them much I rather do photos. More control and less chances of getting little harvest. Autos more picky also but that’s just me :)

Lp_jr · Apr 10, 2022

Dudethatsweet said:
I'm not familiar with the GWE method but I've grown in living soil the way nature intended (with a scientific twist) most of my life.
With some plants, you can get away with a just add water routine or really close to it. That also depends on your water supply. If its a good source with the right trace elements. If your using RO, you always need to add a little something.

But, many strains are real vigorous users and you need that in mind while preparing your soil ahead of time. I remember many decades ago when I first saw jobes plant spikes it made a light bulb go off. Now I'll add my own spike mixes for veg and flower to the perimeter of the final pots at transplant. I've learned to hold off on high P rations in spikes, that gets added in flower with DE and a few other boosters. A little dolomite also helps to keep the spikes from affecting pH while breaking down.

Of the living soil methods I am familiar: I think the Rev has a really good handle with his 2nd edition book True Living Organics.
Happy growing

Green side up^
DtS

I think you are right.
I'm going to use some of the Dr Earths dry ferts as topdressing. Saw a great video by Stealth Grows where you can just use their vegetable and flower ferts.

From coco to living soil

From coco to living soil

Lp_jr

mysticepipedon

2Bad

Lp_jr

LivingBlackSoil

Theindoorfarmer

Lp_jr

Lp_jr

LivingBlackSoil

Theindoorfarmer

Theindoorfarmer

2Bad

GanjaFarmer24

Lp_jr

Lp_jr

Dudethatsweet

AZsunfarmer

Theindoorfarmer

Theindoorfarmer

Lp_jr

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