Question about ammendments and new soil.

Phreakshow · Apr 16, 2025

So I got my dirt yesterday. Im on the fence as far as perlite goes
Today i will put some in a container and check drainage. It was bought in bulk so there is no bag. This is what they told Bearwater was In it (see pics). I was just wondering if I should still mix in Gaia Green or let it ride to the first feeding. My plants will be 2 months old by the time they hit the holes. I planned on getting the holes filled now so it has sometime to break down.

jimbochicago · Apr 16, 2025

5-5-1 looks almost right.
Why the misgivings about the blend? Let's start there. You have peat mixed in, so rather than perlite maybe use vermiculite.
If you need to add anything, consider compost or manure.

Phreakshow · Apr 16, 2025

jimbochicago said:
5-5-1 looks almost right.
Why the misgivings about the blend? Let's start there. You have peat mixed in, so rather than perlite maybe use vermiculite.
If you need to add anything, consider compost or manure.

It seems pretty well composted already. I would add my Gaia green as manure replacement. Gaia has a more diverse blend than plain manure. Thanks for your input.

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

Looks like a solid soil! I wouldn’t even consider growing without adding perlite.

BearWater · Apr 16, 2025

Oldchucky said:
Looks like a solid soil! I wouldn’t even consider growing without adding perlite.

Do you think that would make any difference being in the ground vs above in a fabric pots?

Whats your ratio “about” when mixing perlite in your pots?

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

I think you need well aerated soil, whether you’re in pots or in ground! Probably even more so in ground! I would tailor the amount of perlite depending on how well the soil drained when I perked the holes! Fast drain less, slow drain more! Just a guess but I would go with 20 or 25% perlite. I over perlite my soil in pots. In 30 or 35 gallon pots I wanna see my dry back cycles around the three day area instead of the one week or more! It’s kind of seat of the pants, depending on your climate! But I would make sure I had a single probe moisture meter to keep track of what’s going on down at the bottom of those holes! The long probe one! Glad to see you made it home in one piece!

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

One of my main reasons for using a lot of per light is to encourage evaporation! That’s how my route zone stays cool! That’s probably not as big a deal up where he’s at! And in ground! But around here it is a big deal!

BearWater · Apr 16, 2025

Ok. Hey @Phreakshow I stand corrected and think maybe you should look into hitting that soil with the perlite : )
Might have to plan another trip to magical mountain to get you some perlite!

Yeah Chucky he said the holes drain pretty quick and its awesome native soil (in my opinion)

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

Landscaping per light is cheap! And if I had multiple holes, I would vary the percentage of per light in each one and see, which works best! If there’s any difference! I don’t like all of my eggs in one basket! Landscaping, places up in weed or for sure Yreka will carry it! Just have to call around! Up to the grower to decide on whether he wants to use it! Everybody’s situation is different!

Phreakshow · Apr 16, 2025

I have perlite coming today already.

Oldchucky said:
I think you need well aerated soil, whether you’re in pots or in ground! Probably even more so in ground! I would tailor the amount of perlite depending on how well the soil drained when I perked the holes! Fast drain less, slow drain more! Just a guess but I would go with 20 or 25% perlite. I over perlite my soil in pots. In 30 or 35 gallon pots I wanna see my dry back cycles around the three day area instead of the one week or more! It’s kind of seat of the pants, depending on your climate! But I would make sure I had a single probe moisture meter to keep track of what’s going on down at the bottom of those holes! The long probe one! Glad to see you made it home in one piece!

Let me tell you he was pretty lit while he was here.

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I have perlite coming today already.

Let me tell you he was pretty lit while he was here.

why doesn’t that surprise me!

Phreakshow · Apr 16, 2025

Oldchucky said:
why doesn’t that surprise me!

I even sent him home with some goodies. He is awesome I had a great time.

So still no verdict to Gaia or not. I guess i don't have to mix it in the soil.

Oldchucky · Apr 16, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I even sent him home with some goodies. He is awesome I had a great time.

So still no verdict to Gaia or not. I guess i don't have to mix it in the soil.

No experience with gaia! Or any feeding during the grow for that matter! My plants get fed during the winter! They just don’t know it!

mancorn · Apr 16, 2025

For $20 you can get your new soil tested and know if you really need the GG. I use UMass, but a lot of choices. I’d guess if the #1 ingredient is compost that it’s going to be loaded with P&K and you’ll just need to supplement the N.

Ordering Information & Forms : Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory Services : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) at UMass Amherst

Routine Soil Analysis - Order Form for Home Grounds and Gardening To submit a sample to the lab, download the appropriate form and follow the sample collection guidelines provided.

www.umass.edu

Ninjadogma · Apr 16, 2025

That soil alone should have everything your plant needs for at least 6 weeks. I would schedule an amendment a month after they've been in their new home so the nutes will be ready when what's in the soil gets depleted. Stacking nutes causes more problems than they solve.

BearWater · Apr 16, 2025

Phreakshow said:
I even sent him home with some goodies. He is awesome I had a great time.

So still no verdict to Gaia or not. I guess i don't have to mix it in the soil.

Working around the garden today… caught myself laughing at my dumbass a few times being all stoned hahaha! Thanks again homie! It was very nice to meet you! and great afternoon drive in some BEAUTIFUL country!

Question about ammendments and new soil.

Question about ammendments and new soil.

Phreakshow

Attachments

jimbochicago

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

Oldchucky

Oldchucky

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

Oldchucky

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

mancorn

Ordering Information & Forms : Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory Services : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) at UMass Amherst

Ninjadogma

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

Question about ammendments and new soil.

Question about ammendments and new soil.

Phreakshow

Attachments

jimbochicago

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

Oldchucky

Oldchucky

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

Oldchucky

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

Phreakshow

Oldchucky

mancorn

Ordering Information & Forms : Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory Services : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) at UMass Amherst

Ninjadogma

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?

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