When it comes to growing cannabis, picking the right soil mix is extremely important. If you ask yourself, what should I use to grow my plants? It is essential to remember that not all mixes are created equal. You need to pick a mix that will give your plants their best chance of growing big and healthy buds, but you must also choose one that won’t damage the environment.

Which soil mix to use for growing cannabis?

The most common question when choosing a soil mix is whether or not to buy a professional-grade mix from hydroponic stores. These soils might guarantee great growth rates and yields, but they can be costly. Even worse, they may contain ingredients that otherwise aren’t available for home growers, such as life and vermiculite.

We recommend that new growers utilize a proven mix like FoxFarm Ocean Forest. This mix contains all the necessary macronutrients for the healthy growth of your marijuana plants. Still, it also has an attractive price point and is available at most garden centers.

It might even be available in your backyard.

Another great alternative to professional potting soils is the Fiskers Organic Potting Soil. The Fiskers organic potting soil can be used to grow practically any variety of plant or flower. This makes it perfect for not only cannabis but other herbs and vegetables!

If you grow in pots, remember that they will dry out faster than planting directly into the ground. It would be best to consider using a larger pot with more soil. You might also consider adding water-retaining agents to your mix in order to combat this issue. One of our favorite additives is perlite. This will help aerate the soil and allow greater oxygen diffusion throughout the root zone. This is especially important during periods of intense growth when plants consume large amounts of nutrients.

Another popular additive used with FoxFarm Ocean Forest is Mycorrhizae fungi.

These beneficial organisms can significantly improve nutrient uptake and increase mold, mildew, and disease resistance. Our top recommendation for this additive is Root Maker mycorrhizal inoculant. This additive has shown remarkable results among some of the most experienced growers!

Whether you use professional-grade soils like Ocean Forest or a proven and tested soil mix like Fiskers Organic Potting Soil, remember that cannabis should be grown in the best possible conditions. Good luck and happy growing!

What to Look for When Picking a Soil Mix: Pros & Cons of Professional vs. Home-Grown Soils  

• Pro: professional soils contain necessary macronutrients for the healthy growth of your cannabis plants

• Con: professional soils are very expensive and may contain ingredients that otherwise aren’t available for home growers, such as life and vermiculite

• Pro: make use of a proven soil mix like FoxFarm Ocean. This contains all the necessary macronutrients for the healthy growth of your marijuana plants.

• Con: it might even be available in your backyard. Another great alternative to professional potting soils is the Fiskers Organic Potting Soil. The Fiskers organic potting soil can be used to grow practically any variety of plant or flower. This makes it perfect for not only cannabis but other herbs and vegetables!

• Pro: adding water-retaining agents to your mix will help with runoff from daily watering. This aids in retaining the proper levels of moisture in your root zone

• Con: Not all additive products are created equal, so research before deciding on one best suited for you. Some additives may harm cannabis growth if they do not have the proper ingredients for nourishment.

• Pro: Mycorrhizae fungi are beneficial organisms that can provide nutrients and increase resistance to mold, mildew, and disease

• Con: You may have to do some research on this one before adding it to your soil mix. They’re not all created equal!

What’s a Water Retaining Agent? How Does it Work?  

Water-retaining agents are used to retain water for an extended period, while not allowing the mixture to become completely saturated. These products work by absorbing large amounts of water and holding them in their chemical structure. At the same time enabling small amounts of exchange between the water molecules and the air. This results in a much more efficient watering schedule for growers who are frequently stuck with very little rainfall during the summer months.

Some common examples include perlite. Pearlite is made from volcanic glass, pumice stone, or even rice hulls; all of which help to aerate soil mixes while at the same time retaining water. Another option is an additive called Spongolite. This also contains water-retaining agents alongside beneficial mycorrhizae fungi that can significantly improve nutrient uptake and increase resistance to mold, mildew, and disease. If you are growing in pots, remember that they will dry out faster than planting directly into the ground. To combat this issue, you should ensure your potting mix also contains a water-retaining agent.

Happy Growing!

Growing Cannabis: Hydroponics using coconut water? (Part 3)

Coconut water is sold as an additive at certain hydro stores. However, I do not recommend it because you don’t know what is really in there and if they add anything or not. It’s best to make your nutrient solution with known ingredients

Spreading coconut water throughout the soil media allows for faster overall growth resulting in higher yields than without it over-irrigating plants

The potassium that coconuts consist of is a vital element that promotes photosynthesis by increasing the rate at which energy is captured from light. It also regulates stomata openings and closing during transpiration, preventing excessive loss of moisture that can cause wilting

Spreading coconut water throughout the soil media allows for faster overall growth resulting in higher yields than without it over-irrigating plants

When mixed with guano tea and worm castings (vermicompost) water, coconut water provides your weed plants with a wide range of essential elements that include potassium, magnesium, calcium, and many other trace minerals not found in tap or bottled waters

As we all know, coconuts consist of 60% water, and coconut water contains a high concentration of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and many other trace minerals

Spreading coconut water throughout the soil media allows for faster overall growth resulting in higher yields than without it over-irrigating plants

In hydroponics systems, coconut water is used as an additive at certain hydro stores; however, I do not recommend it because you don’t know what is really in there and if they add anything. It’s best to make your nutrient solution with known ingredients

Although pitaya and dragon fruit are known for their sweet flavors, coconuts are known for their high nutrients and beneficial properties. When mixed with guano tea and worm castings water (vermicompost tea), coconut water provides your weed plants with a wide range of essential elements: potassium, magnesium, calcium, and many other trace minerals not found in tap or bottled waters.