I had low nitrogen issues and pH flux during flowering in my last closet soil grow. During my next grow I want to buffer pH effectively and provide as much available nutrient as possible in the soil while minimizing the amount of "chemical" additives needed throughout the grow.

Here is the recipe for my next soil grow. I appreciate anyone's comments and observations.....

SecretSquirrel SoilMix

4 gal compost (roughly 75% plant / 25% manure)
4 gal perlite
3 gal sphagnum moss
1 gal worm castings

2 cup bat guano (11-4-1)
1-3/4 cup greensand (0-.15-.6)
1 cup bone meal (6-12-0)
3/4 cup kelp meal
1/2 cup dry molasses
1/4 cup wood ash
1/2 cup lime
4 oz mycorrhizae powder

***With 1 gal = 16 cups and 12 gallons of soil medium, 1 cup of amendment gives a 1:192 amendment to soil ratio, 1/2 cup gives a 1:384 ratio, etc.***

I mixed all ingredients thoroughly, moistened and mixed in a large trash can. I stir well every other day and will let it "work" for 2 or 3 weeks before
putting seedlings into it for veg phase.

Comments??? Too much / too little of some things
or sound like a plan?

Thanks!

Sounds pretty complete - I might up the dolemite lime a little to help stabilize PH better. It may be a little hot for young-uns though.. how have your plants reacted to it?

Thanks for the comment on my soil mix, Tokudai...

For each ingredient I used a "dosing ratio" (per gallon soil) based on research of others successful and unsuccessful grows as well as standard organic soil doctrine.

The guideline I used for adding lime is 2 tbsp per gallon soil (X 12 gal = 24 tbsp or 1-3/4 cup). I knocked the recipe down to 1 cup lime (15 tbsp) because of the wood ash I added, which will also increase the soil pH as well as provide lots of potassium and micronutes.

Tok, I haven't got a grow report from my plants yet...the soil has been "working" for about 2 weeks now. I'll be growing some seedlings in mild seedling mix for the first 2 weeks of August and then potting them into my soil mix for the veg phase starting mid-August.

Just for giggles...I've attached a photo of my last "power plant" from seed after 6 weeks veg and 65 days flowering under 400w hps. pH flux and low nitrogen were issues in this grow, which was in a commercial potting soil medium with minimal chem ferts added throughout the grow. It's cut and drying now...The main cola is probably 15 g by itself. I reckon 45-60 g from this one plant. Very little trimming to be done because the low nitrogen knocked off most of the leaf foliage towards end of flowering. With proper nute levels I think buds would have been fatter.

For my next grow, using the soil recipe above, I don't see how I can possibly NOT grow some wicked badass juicy fruit!!!

Attached Images

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Coolsville - starting the seedlings in a milder mix will be a good idea.

Wood ash- I had always read that it was pretty hard to control or figure out how much to use, not to mention the "effect" does not last as long ie it leaches out very quickly. I have never used it though, so I have no first hand experience.

Before you use it, it might be a good idea to take a small pot full, water through it like you would normally, and test the runoff to make sure you are in your range. then you can just remix it back in the heap.

Nice work on your last plant, and good look with the juicy fruit! I'm sure you won't be disappointed

I've read that also about the wood ash leaching quickly and not being a long-term pH influence, but being potent in the short-term. True that...
Good idea on testing runoff pH before using! I'll be doing that.

I want to try the wood ash more for the micronutrients than anything else. The reasoning is roughly this:

A piece of wood contains all the minerals necessary for sustaining plant life. The existence of that piece of wood pretty much proves that. Burning the wood completely removes H and O as water vapor, drives off some carbon as carbon dioxide and what's left is practically every element (less C,H and O)that was needed by that piece of wood to become a piece of wood.

Sounds like a good source of micronute to me...as long as I don't scald my plants and make them squeal like pigs! (Wood ash and boiling water - old time pig scalding recipe)

soil indeed had too many nutes in it for flowering. Judging by the overferted leaves, a very bad case to I'm afraid. And also I would seriously consider not using home made compost. Lots of pests and other plant life in them. Speaking out of experience only. Other than that more dolomite lime and you'd be good to go.