Jump to content

New grower. Coco or organic soil?

Jedi Messiah

By Jedi Messiah,
in Starting Your Own Grow

 Share

Recommended Posts

Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
Posted

Hey guys, Completely new to growing. thrown a few seeds around to see what they do in the past, but never followed through.
was hoping you guys could give me some advice, I'm planning an outdoor grow for this season, don't plan on investing too much, around R1500. the issue is I'm really unsure of which route I should go.
Coco or organic soil. I've been looking into it, and the coco option is really appealing to me, but it seems daunting, and expensive for what i had in mind, and the organic option seems fine, but I'm not aiming for "fine".
 

I made two separate lists for whichever grow I decide on.

  • Coco
  • perlite
  • hortimix a,b and mpk (from hydroponics.co.za)
  • 3x 20l Fabric pots (although I've read around 11l pots are good enough for coco)
  • found a very inexpensive tds and ph meter combo on bid or buy, its the same model the hydro stores stock for around  400.
  • some calmag,
  • ph up & down

and then the organics list is not as comprehensive, because I went down the coco rabbit hole.

  • soil (obviously) considering the freedom farms premium blend, or the hydroherb promix organic which is 50l for around R300, but i cant find enough information on the ingredients, also found something called orgasoilux.
  • 3x 20l Fabric pots
  • maybe some perlite?
    all the potting mixes I've seen, say they feed for s short time, so which nutrients does one add after that period? would some vermicompost do? or would i be better off going for the hortimix combo as it can be used in organic soil too, but then the water has to be ph'd to make it available to the plant.

    basically I'm really keen on the coco, because I'm looking for quantity and quality bud, but I don't want to invest too much, and be too inexperienced to actually get a good yield, or even worse kill the plants. does anyone use the hortimix a,b and mpk, is it simple?
    I'm planning on getting some feminized seeds too. the royal gorilla, silver haze and utopic haze. will they do alright in our climate? can anyone suggest some good strains for outdoor container growing? whats the best local seedbank? any that have a no germinating return policy? thinking of going with biltong and buds or cannasmiths, thoughts?
    any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
     
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
SkunkPharm Mentor

SkunkPharm

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the forum. If I was you I would by 3x 40l smart pots. 3 bags of either Freedom Farms/ Organic Matters soil. One bottle of BioBizz Bloom. Find a sunny spot an let the plant grow. Any local seeds will be good for outdoor growing or American seeds like Humboldt seed organisations seeds are good for outdoor growing. If I was a first timer I would not go the hydro/coco route. But the decision is yours.

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dr. Green Explorer

Dr. Green

Posted
Posted

I agree freedom Farm soil with biobizz Bloom if you have extra bucks get the biobizz grow too but you won't need it for the first few weeks the freedom Farm soil should be good for 6-8 weeks atleast

I also add a bit of Epsom salt when using biobizz 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, SkunkPharm said:

Welcome to the forum. If I was you I would by 3x 40l smart pots. 3 bags of either Freedom Farms/ Organic Matters soil. One bottle of BioBizz Bloom. Find a sunny spot an let the plant grow. Any local seeds will be good for outdoor growing or American seeds like Humboldt seed organisations seeds are good for outdoor growing. If I was a first timer I would not go the hydro/coco route. But the decision is yours.

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk
 

 

45 minutes ago, Dr. Green said:

I agree freedom Farm soil with biobizz Bloom if you have extra bucks get the biobizz grow too but you won't need it for the first few weeks the freedom Farm soil should be good for 6-8 weeks atleast

I also add a bit of Epsom salt when using biobizz 

thanks a lot guys, I'll go organic. probably freedom farm. are the 40l pots essential? because that would require R1000 worth of potting mix. if it will get me the best results, I definitely willl go that route.

Should i also get freedom farms seed starter or can i use a general soil for starting the plants off?

also, will i need to keep an eye on the PH once i start using biobizz or can i wing it?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
highchome Collaborator

highchome

Posted
Posted

Firstly a disclaimer, I'm a new grower only on my second grow. But I've recently switched to coco/perlite and I'm loving it.

I think there are different trade offs and there are some very experiend soil & organic growers on this forum that can help you out if you go that route. I'm not sure there is a clear answer one way or the other. Its really going to depend on your interests and goals... 

If you are interested in coco/perlite I can certainly tell you what is working for me so far and why I prefer it, also have you seen https://cocoforcannabis.com? Quite a lot there, if you are intested shout and I'll send some links etc. Perhaps we'll need a coco/perite thread at some point

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi there.

I'm seriously considering organic soil this round, but next time when I can afford to invest abit more into my growing, 

2 hours ago, highchome said:

Firstly a disclaimer, I'm a new grower only on my second grow. But I've recently switched to coco/perlite and I'm loving it.

I think there are different trade offs and there are some very experiend soil & organic growers on this forum that can help you out if you go that route. I'm not sure there is a clear answer one way or the other. Its really going to depend on your interests and goals... 

If you are interested in coco/perlite I can certainly tell you what is working for me so far and why I prefer it, also have you seen https://cocoforcannabis.com? Quite a lot there, if you are intested shout and I'll send some links etc. Perhaps we'll need a coco/perite thread at some point

Hi there.

I'm seriously considering organic soil this round,  next season when I can afford to invest abit more into my growing, I'd love to give it a try, it also seems quite daunting and don't want to mess it up and get put off growing all together for my first grow.

Please send the links, I would like as much information as possible. 

Thank you,

May I ask what you had to buy, a small list of sorts of what nutrients and growing mediums you had to get for the perlite Coco grow?

Are you growing indoor or outdoors?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Breadinator Newbie

Breadinator

Posted
Posted

I planted in a 40l pot outdoors end December and she still needs to go a few weeks. The whole pot is a thick mass of roots which is why I am planning on trying out 100l pot (the next available size after 40l fabric pot) this coming season.

 

Also, if you are not going to train her and leave her to grow tall, the 40l pot tips over easily.

 

Soil is going to be expensive, you can make your own (Search the forum for "Organic Super Soil and Promix"),would cost you almost the same as freedom farms and from what I have read, better than ff.

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, Breadinator said:

I planted in a 40l pot outdoors end December and she still needs to go a few weeks. The whole pot is a thick mass of roots which is why I am planning on trying out 100l pot (the next available size after 40l fabric pot) this coming season.

 

Also, if you are not going to train her and leave her to grow tall, the 40l pot tips over easily.

 

Soil is going to be expensive, you can make your own (Search the forum for "Organic Super Soil and Promix"),would cost you almost the same as freedom farms and from what I have read, better than ff.

 

 

 

 

That sounds incredible man. I plan on training, and all that. Will be sure to check in here when the time comes to groom my girls. 

 

On the super soil and promix, I have done some research, but I will be sure to check it out. Yeah, buying the FF or similar soil would be R1000 for 120l, I must admit, that dents the budget, plus the biobizz grow and bloom is another R600 for two 1l bottles, which I'm not even sure will do for 3 girls in one season, and don't even get me started on the over priced fabric pots😭

Loving the community. Thanks again my dudes. 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pat999 Newbie

Pat999

Posted
Posted

Tbh with those pot sizes you'd be able to easily get 2 seasons done with 1L of BioGrow and BioBloom. You honestly don't need that much. You also don't need to feed it every time and even if you do you go in at 1ml a L

Sent from my G3312 using Tapatalk

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
highchome Collaborator

highchome

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, Jedi Messiah said:

May I ask what you had to buy, a small list of sorts of what nutrients and growing mediums you had to get for the perlite Coco grow?

Pretty much the same as your list, but notably an EC meter rather than a TDS one

  • Coco
  • perlite
  • hortimix a,b and mpk (from hydroponics.co.za)
  • calmag
  • pH meter & pH "storage solution" & 4.0+7.0 calibration fluid
  • EC meter  (you definitely want EC rather than TDS. TDS calculation can vary from brand to brand, EC is always the same. Most EC meters will also do TDS)
  • pH up & down

I'm growing indoors, also using fabric pots (home made though). I'll see how far I get with ~8L ones

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, highchome said:

Pretty much the same as your list, but notably an EC meter rather than a TDS one

  • Coco
  • perlite
  • hortimix a,b and mpk (from hydroponics.co.za)
  • calmag
  • pH meter & pH "storage solution" & 4.0+7.0 calibration fluid
  • EC meter  (you definitely want EC rather than TDS. TDS calculation can vary from brand to brand, EC is always the same. Most EC meters will also do TDS)
  • pH up & down

I'm growing indoors, also using fabric pots (home made though). I'll see how far I get with ~8L ones

Cool man. Was considering making my own. My girlfriend would be able to. But I've only been able to find weed gaurd fabric at builders for R200 for a 1m x 10m. Might do that though. What material do you use? And where did you find it? 

 

The biobizz will stretch that far? Great news. 

Think I will go with cannasmiths for beans, they're the most affordable with the royal queen brand, which is my favourite at the moment. Picknmix promo also looking lit at. :rastabanana

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jedi Messiah Newbie

Jedi Messiah

Posted
  • Author
Posted
11 minutes ago, highchome said:

Take a look here: https://www.420sa.co.za/index.php?/topic/2174-fabric-grow-bags/. I used landscaping fabric / weed shield from the local nursery, at less that 1/2 of that cost 

 

 

 

 

Thanks man. Will call my local nursery.

4 minutes ago, SkunkPharm said:

Plant matter has going prices and quality.

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk
 

Will check it out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Oolong83 Newbie

Oolong83

Posted
Posted
On 7/4/2019 at 4:49 PM, highchome said:

... 

If you are interested in coco/perlite I can certainly tell you what is working for me so far and why I prefer it, also have you seen https://cocoforcannabis.com? Quite a lot there, if you are intested shout and I'll send some links etc. Perhaps we'll need a coco/perite thread at some point

Shot for the link dude, lots of valuable info in there. Definitely saving the link.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Similar Content

    • AK-47 Gold Arabesque
      Second Grow Diary, Photoperiod Edition, November 2023
      By AK-47 Gold Arabesque
      First time growing photoperiods, quite excited. 

      Genetics
      Hiroshima by Renegade Seed Co.  6 Pack

      High THC, and according to the product description should deliver "high yields of dense, rock-solid buds."  Hoping to achieve that.
      Want to make one a mother and start learning to clone. The description says "These highly stable genetics produce two phenotypes at most." Should be easy to choose a winner to reveg.
      They advise topping, which I am also looking forward to learning. Want to also try "FIM" a plant or two to experiment. 
      Grow Setup
      Same as before. Here
      ~
      Lets go 
      9 November
      Seeds arrived. Also received a Promotional 2 Pack of G-Fawke.

      10 November
      Seeds into a glass of spring water. Onto a heating mat and into a dark cupboard to soak for 18 hours.

      11 November
      Seeds started showing roots. All 6 seeds popped, gently took them and placed them root facing down in Jiffy Preforma Plugs. 
      Covered the holes slightly and into the ROOTiT Small Propagator they go. Heating mat underneath, and gently misted with spring water. Also threaded the hygrometer reader through a ventilation hole, to see the environment reading. 
      I think this reading is fine for germination. Any and all feedback welcome.

      Hoping for them all to push out effectively over the coming days. In hindsight I should have maybe done the paper towel method to get the roots longer, before putting them into the plugs. I've also previously had a failed germination where I watered a bit much, so just gently misting this time as to not drown/stunt the seeds.
       
    • Inferranius
      Hortimix overwhelmed
      By Inferranius
      Can anyone please assist I'm totally overwhelmed with this veggies chart supplied with hortimix and don't have the slightest clue of what dosages to start with or what rate to increase strength or max strength for seedlings/veg and flower.. 
      I'm totally lost and need some guidance for setting up a basic schedule for doing autoflowers and short photo grows of no more than 3/4 months 
      Thanks in advance 
       
      I'm running autopots with 60/40 coco perlite mix 


    • Inferranius
      Hortimix first timer
      By Inferranius
      It's my first time using hortimix and plan on growing outoflowers.. Can anyone please help me with a rough idea of hortimix dosages for early cannabis seedlings through the end flower please any help would be greatly appreciated 
    • Orcanic
      Joker CBD - Photo and First Coco Grow
      By Orcanic
      Hi guys
      Going to try make my third grow my best so far.
       
      Strain: Joker CBD - https://www.trophyseeds.com/product/green-smoke-room-seeds-the-joker-cbd/
      Indoor Grow
      Nutes: GHE TriPart
      Equipment
      80 x 80 x 180cm grow tent 70/30 Coco Perlite Mix 240W Quantum Board x2 Clip on oscillating fans, x1 extraction fan Germination: 03/04/2021
      Vegetative: 15/04/2021
      Flower: 06/06/2021
      Harvest: --- (Estimated: 25/07/2021 - 08/08/2021)

MAIN PAGES

Forums Clubs Grow Reports 420 Directory Gallery Classifieds

LATEST ACTIVITY

All Activity Unread Content Search the community
×
×
  • Create New...