Simple Water Only Grow

justiceman · Oct 24, 2019

Hows it going everyone? It’s been a while!

Lately I have thought to myself about what kind of thread I’d like to start. Why not a simple water only soil grow from start to finish? I feel that this could be a fun, informative and an easy to understand thread for those that want to learn about growing in soil without outside inputs(bottles nutrients) aside from the initial dry fertilizer mixed in at the beginning.

The Seedlings will first start in solo cups under some florescent lighting and will then be moved to 3 gallon fabric pots inside of a 4x4 tent under a 600w Eye Hortilux Super HPS. They will get unfiltered tap water from start to finish.

Aside from coco grows I’ve been using this mix for years. It is extremely simple and very solid. I typically use FFOF for the 6 parts.

LC's Soiless Mix #2:

6 parts Pro Mix BX or HP / Sunshine Mix (any flavor from #1 up) / Fox Farm Ocean Forest or Light Warrior
2 parts perlite
2 parts earthworm castings
Powdered (NOT PELLETED) dolomite lime @ 2 tablespoons per gallon or 1 cup per cubic foot of the soiless mix.
If you use a 3 qt. saucepan as “parts” in the amounts given above, it equals about 1 cu. ft. of soiless mix and you can just dump in a cup of powdered dolomite lime. The dolomite lime is for Ca. and Mg. not just to adjust the PH of the soil.

But, a "part" can be anything from a tablespoon to a five gallon bucket. Just use the same item for all of the "parts".

As for the food source I have used this with success. I don’t use Greensand or Liquid Karma but it is still important to “cook” the mix for 2-4 weeks before use. This allows the microbiology to grow and break down the fertilizer. The mix then becomes stable. The formation of a white fuzz during this process is fine and a good sign of life.

RECIPE #1

If you want to use organic nutrients like Blood meal, Bone meal and Kelp meal...

1 tablespoon Blood meal per gallon or 1/2 cup per cubic foot of soil mix
2 tablespoons Bone meal per gallon or 1 cup per cubic foot of soil mix
1-tablespoon kelp meal per gallon or 1/2 cup per cubic foot of soil mix
or Maxicrop 1-0-4 powdered kelp extract as directed
(OPTIONAL) 1 tablespoon per gallon or 1/2 cup per cubic foot of Jersey Greensand to supplement the K (potasium) in the Kelp Meal and seaweed extract.

Mix all the dry nutrients into the soiless mix well and wet it, but don't soak it. Use Liquid Karma and water @ 1 tbs./gal. Stir and mix it a few times a week for a week or two so the bacteria can get oxygen and break down the nutrients and make it available. And don't let the mix dry out, keep it moist and add water as needed. It'll also have time to get the humic acids in the Liquid Karma going and the dolomite lime will be better able to adjust the pH of a peat based mixture too.

With this recipe, all you need to do is add plain water until harvest.

Here is the basic mix without any fertilizer added yet. I will go over the addition of amendments in the next day or so.

Here are 4 Barneys Farm Tangerine Dream seeds that have been germinated using the paper towel method.

Here they are planted in a fesh batch of plain LC’s Mix

I hope everyone will enjoy this. It’s time for another adventure!

MIMedGrower · Oct 24, 2019

justiceman said:
Hows it going everyone? It’s been a while!

Lately I have thought to myself about what kind of thread I’d like to start. Why not a simple water only soil grow from start to finish? I feel that this could be a fun, informative and an easy to understand thread for those that want to learn about growing in soil without outside inputs(bottles nutrients) aside from the initial dry fertilizer mixed in at the beginning.

The Seedlings will first start in solo cups under some florescent lighting and will then be moved to 3 gallon fabric pots inside of a 4x4 tent under a 600w Eye Hortilux Super HPS. They will get unfiltered tap water from start to finish.

Aside from coco grows I’ve been using this mix for years. It is extremely simple and very solid. I typically use FFOF for the 6 parts.

As for the food source I have used this with success. I don’t use Greensand or Liquid Karma but it is still important to “cook” the mix for 2-4 weeks before use. This allows the microbiology to grow and break down the fertilizer. The mix then becomes stable. The formation of a white fuzz during this process is fine and a good sign of life.

Here is the basic mix without any fertilizer added yet. I will go over the addition of amendments in the next day or so.
View attachment 904383

Here are 4 Barneys Farm Tangerine Dream seeds that have been germinated using the paper towel method.
View attachment 904385

Here they are planted in a fesh batch of plain LC’s Mix
View attachment 904384

I hope everyone will enjoy this. It’s time for another adventure!

Very cool! Im in to watch and learn.

1diesel1 · Oct 24, 2019

justiceman said:
Hows it going everyone? It’s been a while!

Lately I have thought to myself about what kind of thread I’d like to start. Why not a simple water only soil grow from start to finish? I feel that this could be a fun, informative and an easy to understand thread for those that want to learn about growing in soil without outside inputs(bottles nutrients) aside from the initial dry fertilizer mixed in at the beginning.

The Seedlings will first start in solo cups under some florescent lighting and will then be moved to 3 gallon fabric pots inside of a 4x4 tent under a 600w Eye Hortilux Super HPS. They will get unfiltered tap water from start to finish.

Aside from coco grows I’ve been using this mix for years. It is extremely simple and very solid. I typically use FFOF for the 6 parts.

As for the food source I have used this with success. I don’t use Greensand or Liquid Karma but it is still important to “cook” the mix for 2-4 weeks before use. This allows the microbiology to grow and break down the fertilizer. The mix then becomes stable. The formation of a white fuzz during this process is fine and a good sign of life.

Here is the basic mix without any fertilizer added yet. I will go over the addition of amendments in the next day or so.
View attachment 904383

Here are 4 Barneys Farm Tangerine Dream seeds that have been germinated using the paper towel method.
View attachment 904385

Here they are planted in a fesh batch of plain LC’s Mix
View attachment 904384

I hope everyone will enjoy this. It’s time for another adventure!

I like it!
Pulling up a chair!!:)

Moshmen · Oct 24, 2019

I like it too can’t wait for the results!!!

oldskol4evr · Oct 24, 2019

talking bout homie,glad to see you back and running,i missed your last harvest already know it went well

justiceman · Oct 25, 2019

This is awesome to have all of you along for the ride!

I ended up making about 2.5 cubic feet of LC's mix which is a bit more than I'll need but it makes things easy to measure.

1.25 cups of Blood Meal
2.5 cups of Bone Meal
1.25 cups of Kelp Meal

Here are all the raw ingredients before the first mix. I chose to mix with a shovel and to store it inside of an extra garbage can I had. I used to mix inside of a rectangular plastic storage tote which was a lot easier but I thought I might as well put this can to use and get some extra physical work in. Mixing on a tarp or kid pool are other easier options. I like to initially mix without adding any water so that the fertilizer doesn't clump together. If that happens it becomes increasingly harder to get a uniform mix. So I got my dusk mask on and mixed dry to start things off.

After I feel things have been mixed enough then it's time to add water..... and then mix again! The key is too add enough water to keep the mix just a touch moist and not dripping wet. This encourages growth for beneficial microbes. Too wet is worse than too dry. If it is too dry the processing and growth takes longer. If it is too wet unwanted microbes can grow and render the soil unfit to currently use. Like the instructions state you want to mix this about 2-3 times a week for 2-4 weeks and add water if necessary. If you see a white fuzz when trying this do not be alarmed. I know the soil is ready when the smell of blood/bone/kelp have faded and instead it smells like sweet fresh quality earth.

Timbo0716 · Oct 25, 2019

I think I will pull up the lazy boy and take a seat.

Moshmen · Oct 25, 2019

justiceman said:
This is awesome to have all of you along for the ride!

I ended up making about 2.5 cubic feet of LC's mix which is a bit more than I'll need but it makes things easy to measure.

1.25 cups of Blood Meal

2.5 cups of Bone Meal

1.25 cups of Kelp Meal

Here are all the raw ingredients before the first mix. I chose to mix with a shovel and to store it inside of an extra garbage can I had. I used to mix inside of a rectangular plastic storage tote which was a lot easier but I thought I might as well put this can to use and get some extra physical work in. Mixing on a tarp or kid pool are other easier options. I like to initially mix without adding any water so that the fertilizer doesn't clump together. If that happens it becomes increasingly harder to get a uniform mix. So I got my dusk mask on and mixed dry to start things off.
View attachment 904621

After I feel things have been mixed enough then it's time to add water..... and then mix again! The key is too add enough water to keep the mix just a touch moist and not dripping wet. This encourages growth for beneficial microbes. Too wet is worse than too dry. If it is too dry the processing and growth takes longer. If it is too wet unwanted microbes can grow and render the soil unfit to currently use. Like the instructions state you want to mix this about 2-3 times a week for 2-4 weeks and add water if necessary. If you see a white fuzz when trying this do not be alarmed. I know the soil is ready when the smell of blood/bone/kelp have faded and instead it smells like sweet fresh quality earth.
View attachment 904622

Are you taking questions? If so what are your thoughts on adding dolimite to supplement calcium?

justiceman · Oct 25, 2019

Timbo0716 said:
I think I will pull up the lazy boy and take a seat.

Glad to have you here!

Moshmen said:
Are you taking questions? If so what are your thoughts on adding dolimite to supplement calcium?

I am definitely taking questions. Just to note I did add dolomite lime to the initial base mix(LC’s mix #2) before todays fertilizer amendments(Recipe #1).

A few well known calcium amendments are Agricultural Lime(Usually pelleted and slower release), Dolomite Lime, Oyster shell flour, and Gypsum. The first three all contain calcium carbonate however only dolomite lime contains magnesium carbonate as well. Those 3 also tend to help neutralize acidic soil. Gypsum is calcium sulfate and it tends to help acidify soil.

Every one of those amendments are solid choices depending on what’s already in the soil mix and what might be going into it. I hope that answered your question. If not say so!

Moshmen · Oct 25, 2019

justiceman said:
Glad to have you here!

I am definitely taking questions. Just to note I did add dolomite lime to the initial base mix(LC’s mix #2) before todays fertilizer amendments(Recipe #1).

A few well known calcium amendments are Agricultural Lime(Usually pelleted and slower release), Dolomite Lime, Oyster shell flour, and Gypsum. The first three all contain calcium carbonate however only dolomite lime contains magnesium carbonate as well. Those 3 also tend to help neutralize acidic soil. Gypsum is calcium sulfate and it tends to help acidify soil.

Every one of those amendments are solid choices depending on what’s already in the soil mix and what might be going into it. I hope that answered your question. If not say so!

Perfect thanx! I chose dolimite because of the added mag benefits. I’m a new indoor grower running leds and I’m understanding there is a greater need for calcium and magnesium. Thanks again ! Prolly won’t be my last question lmao

Moshmen · Oct 25, 2019

Moshmen said:
Perfect thanx! I chose dolimite because of the added mag benefits. I’m a new indoor grower running leds and I’m understanding there is a greater need for calcium and magnesium. Thanks again ! Prolly won’t be my last question lmao

Will you ever reuse the soil? Or 1 and done

PurpleSkrap · Oct 25, 2019

Will love to see the results on this grow. Taking a seat

justiceman · Oct 25, 2019

Moshmen said:
Perfect thanx! I chose dolimite because of the added mag benefits. I’m a new indoor grower running leds and I’m understanding there is a greater need for calcium and magnesium. Thanks again ! Prolly won’t be my last question lmao

I too have heard there is a greater need for those elements under LED. I still have yet to mess around with them but maybe some day soon. I’ve heard good things about COB LED’s but I really don’t know much about them. Anyway feel free to ask away. I’m always glad to help where I can.

Moshmen said:
Will you ever reuse the soil? Or 1 and done

I do reuse soil mixes. What I typically do is amend the mix again at a lower strength and then blend it into my garden bed outside. I have not directly reused a mix from one indoor run directly to the next because I always play around with different things like coco but many people do. That is referred to as ROLS(Recycled Organic Living Soil) by some.

Here are some pictures of a couple plants I grew outside last summer in soil that has been reused many times.

Soil can always be reused. The important part is knowing what’s lacking after it is depleted from a grow.

PurpleSkrap said:
Will love to see the results on this grow. Taking a seat

Thanks for stopping by to enjoy the adventure!

justiceman · Oct 27, 2019

The girls wanted to stop in and say hi for their first time!

So far everything is looking good although the last seedling pictured is just slightly behind on opening up. I noticed earlier today that it had not emerged from the soil like the other 3 so i went in to inspect the progress(I don't recommend doing this unless you are very gentle). The tap root had grown up and over the stem/cotyledons blocking it from rising so I had to GENTLY preposition it with tweezers. I'm aware this could result in certain death from a wrong move but that was also a possibility leaving it in it's previous condition. She's currently looking good and starting to stand up so that is a good sign. Generally speaking it is a good practice to germinate more seeds than you will need in case of any initial mishaps as it is a very sensitive time but I like to live life on the edge

MIMedGrower · Oct 27, 2019

justiceman said:
The girls wanted to stop in and say hi for their first time!

So far everything is looking good although the last seedling pictured is just slightly behind on opening up. I noticed earlier today that it had not emerged from the soil like the other 3 so i went in to inspect the progress(I don't recommend doing this unless you are very gentle). The tap root had grown up and over the stem/cotyledons blocking it from rising so I had to GENTLY preposition it with tweezers. I'm aware this could result in certain death from a wrong move but that was also a possibility leaving it in it's previous condition. She's currently looking good and starting to stand up so that is a good sign. Generally speaking it is a good practice to germinate more seeds than you will need in case of any initial mishaps as it is a very sensitive time but I like to live life on the edge
View attachment 905046 View attachment 905047 View attachment 905049 View attachment 905048

Do you tap root your seed first and then plant in soil or directly germinate the seed in soil?

If taprooting first do you point it down or up. I learned to point it up so it has less time and energy to the surface before it turns around to grow down. This flips the seed up through the soil helping shed the shell. And i dont think it can get tangled in itself like happened here.

Just curious?

justiceman · Oct 27, 2019

MIMedGrower said:
Do you tap root your seed first and then plant in soil or directly germinate the seed in soil?

If taprooting first do you point it down or up. I learned to point it up so it has less time and energy to the surface before it turns around to grow down. This flips the seed up through the soil helping shed the shell. And i dont think it can get tangled in itself like happened here.

Just curious?

Yup I germinate seeds first using the paper towel method and then place them into the medium with the tip pointing up or sometimes to the side. I did that with these as well but I'm thinking this was just a strange event maybe having something to do with the composition of the medium. Maybe a pebble was holding down the cotyledons or one of the bark chips forced the tap root to grow a certain way. Strangely this has not happened to me before.

After I started sprouting seeds tip up that helped a lot with shedding the shell. Thanks for sharing! It is always great to have someone willing to chime in with their experience.

MIMedGrower · Oct 27, 2019

justiceman said:
Yup I germinate seeds first using the paper towel method and then place them into the medium with the tip pointing up or sometimes to the side. I did that with these as well but I'm thinking this was just a strange event maybe having something to do with the composition of the medium. Maybe a pebble was holding down the cotyledons or one of the bark chips forced the rap root to grow a certain way. Strangely this has not happened to me before.

After I started sprouting seeds tip up that helped a lot with shedding the shell. Thanks for sharing! It is always great to have someone willing to chime in with their experience.

Yeah i never saw it before either. Always something new to keep things interesting eh?

Moshmen · Oct 27, 2019

So just to be clear, after the tap root is let’s say about a 1/4” long you poke a hole in the medium say 1/4 -1/2” deep and place the seed shell first with the tap root pointing upwards ?
I had some trouble with this last batch shedding shells.

MIMedGrower · Oct 27, 2019

Moshmen said:
So just to be clear, after the tap root is let’s say about a 1/4” long you poke a hole in the medium say 1/4 -1/2” deep and place the seed shell first with the tap root pointing upwards ?
I had some trouble with this last batch shedding shells.

Yes but i try not to let the root get too long before planting. And a 1/4” is plenty deep.

Also i use a coffee filter rather than paper towel as the root hairs do not stick to it.

Moshmen · Oct 27, 2019

MIMedGrower said:
Yes but i try not to let the root get too long before planting. And a 1/4” is plenty deep.

Also i use a coffee filter rather than paper towel as the root hairs do not stick to it.

Def try this in next couple weeks thanx

Simple Water Only Grow

Simple Water Only Grow

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MIMedGrower

1diesel1

Moshmen

oldskol4evr

justiceman

Timbo0716

Moshmen

justiceman

Moshmen

Moshmen

PurpleSkrap

justiceman

justiceman

MIMedGrower

justiceman

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