Types Of Potting Mixes
It’s not just about buying any potting mix on the market. A good potting mix provides the necessary nutrients, drainage, and moisture retention for your plants to thrive.
Discover the different potting mixes you can buy with their pros and cons.
Feel free to recommend the potting mixes that work for. We would love to hear from you!
Soil-Based Mixes
Soil-based potting mixes are the most common type of potting mix used by marijuana growers. These mixes contain a combination of organic materials, such as peat moss, compost, and perlite, and are designed to mimic the properties of natural soil. Soil-based mixes are generally a good choice for beginners, as they are easy to work with and provide a good balance of nutrients.
Pros:
Provides a natural environment for the roots to grow in
Retains moisture well, reducing the frequency of watering
Contains organic matter which provides nutrients to the plants
Cons:
Can be heavy and dense, making it difficult for the roots to penetrate
May contain pests or diseases if not properly sterilized
Can be prone to compaction over time, reducing drainage and air flow to the roots
Peat-Based Mixes
Peat-based potting mixes are made primarily from sphagnum peat moss and perlite. They are a popular choice among growers who prefer a soilless mix, as they provide good moisture retention and drainage while still being lightweight and easy to work with.
Pros:
Lightweight and easy to handle
Retains moisture well, reducing the frequency of watering
pH is generally neutral, providing a good starting point for adjusting nutrient levels
Cons:
Can be expensive compared to soil-based mixes
May require additional nutrients, as peat moss is relatively low in nutrients
Can be difficult to re-wet if allowed to dry out completely
Coco Coir-Based Mixes
Coco coir is a byproduct of coconut husks and is becoming an increasingly popular choice among marijuana growers. Coco coir-based potting mixes are lightweight, porous, and provide good drainage while still retaining moisture.
Pros:
pH is generally neutral, providing a good starting point for adjusting nutrient levels
Provides good aeration and drainage to the roots
Sustainable and environmentally friendly
Cons:
May require additional nutrients, as coco coir is relatively low in nutrients
Can be prone to compaction over time, reducing drainage and air flow to the roots
May require additional amendments to adjust pH levels
Perlite-Based Mixes
Perlite is a volcanic glass that has been expanded by heat. Perlite-based potting mixes are lightweight, porous, and provide excellent drainage. They are often used in combination with other potting mixes to improve drainage and aeration.
Pros:
Provides excellent drainage and aeration
Lightweight and easy to handle
Does not compact over time
Cons:
Does not provide any nutrients to the plants
Can be difficult to re-wet if allowed to dry out completely
May require additional amendments to adjust pH levels
Choosing the right potting mix for your marijuana plants is an important decision that can have a significant impact on their growth and overall health. Consider the pros and cons of each type of potting mix and experiment with different combinations to find the one that works best for your specific growing conditions and preferences.
Comments
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I mix my own soil in a big plastic container with a lid I got from the hardware store. I mix maybe 20 gallons at a time. I make 2 big piles of equal size of peat and compost. Then I dump in a small pile of perlite and an equally small pile of vermiculite. Then I dump in a 5 pound bag of worm castings and mix the whole mess up with my hands. My first crop I ordered a big bag of Fox Farm soil and it was loaded with roaches and beetles so I decided to mix my own from then on. I got one of those spray bottles you pump up just for my plants and it works great and use it to spray down the soil to moisten it up, then cover with the lid to keep it fresh until use.
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Hey Ozz,
This is amazing! You could consider getting growers soil commercially! Anything that empowers growers, I am all in.
Your reply has me thinking we can discuss pet and compost soil to help growers know the difference and make some.
And, of course, Perlite and vermiculite help with aeration, drainage, and water retention.
We can't emphasize enough why you need to trust the supplier of your growing materials and equipment because the last thing you want to deal with is an infestation.
Thank you @Ozz this was insightful.
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I got almost everything from The Home Depo and Lowes, the vermiculite, I ordered from E-Bay.
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Thank you @Ozz
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I have used a couple different pre ammended potting soils. Currently I am using:
It is made up of
Peat moss, Triple Washed Coir, Clean Sourced Compost , Worm Castings, Ligna Peat, Pumice, Seabird Guano, Langbiente, Feather Meal, Kelp Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Green Sand, Bat Guano, Dolomite (as pH adjuster), Volcanic Ash, Fish Bone Meal, Neem Meal, Glacial Rock Dust, Rock Phosphate, Sulfate of Potash, Humic Acid, Blood Meal, Oyster Shell (as pH adjuster).
Its light and kinda fluffy with small rocks instead of perlite. In my experience extra perlite is always a plus. I add 25% perlite to any soil. If the soil drains really well, then I have less concern of overwatering. In the autopot It was suggested to use 50% perlite. It seems that was wize advice. According to the manufacturer soils with peat arent the greatest in Autopots.Fox Farm Ocean Forest.
Ingredients featured in image. Well known soil well known company. You can trust pretty much any soil made by FF to be quality soil. Not the greatest or worst by any means but it is soil you can count on and has been used by cannabis growers for a very long time. OF inparticular is High in Nitrogen but lower in P & K. Its is excellent soil for veg. I use it also for seed starting but there are many who believe OF to have to much nutrition for seeds. They say its too 🔥. Maybe it is because I cut it with 25% perlite, I dont know. I have not had the "too hot" experience. Nearly 2 years of growing with it.Fox Farm Strawberry Fields.
Couldn't find a good image of the Ingredients.
SF is a great soil for flowering. Lower in Nitrogen, Higher in P & K, then OF. This makes it a great soil to transplant into right before flowering.
For autoflower growers.....Try mixing a pot that has the bottom 1/3 of the soil SF and the top 2/3 OF (and perlite always 25% extra perlite but especially with FF soils)
Hope this helps some of you newer growers choose a good pre-made soil. -
Hello growers, so for a proven soil-based pot mix, you heard it right here @SeedConnectTribe from our very own @docnraq.
The whole idea is you don't have to fall scum to the overwhelming products online!
