1. Help Us Improve the Grasscity Growing Journal!

    We're rebuilding the Growing Journal feature and want your input. What tools or features should we add? What other platforms do you use and love?

    Click here to share your feedback!
    Dismiss Notice

CoM Stonington Blend

Discussion in 'Growing Organic Marijuana' started by TheSoilSection, Mar 3, 2022.

Tags:
  1. #1 TheSoilSection, Mar 3, 2022
    Greetings,

    So I've been using the Coast of Maine Stonington blend for a few months now. Not too many complaints accept for one.... I've noticed a lot of inconsistency in how the pots dry out. Meaning, when I check the moisture levels in the soil, some spots are totally wet while others are bone dry. It's been very frustrating because I always water evenly, so it's difficult to gage when the plants need water. I can't tell if the clawing of the leaves is from the really wet portions of the soil or the really dry portions......

    Another thing I've noticed that has been driving me crazy is when I do water my cloth pots, the top layer of soil will appear totally and evenly watered. But what I've been doing the past two weeks is squeezing the pot a few times after I water it. This moves the soil around and creates big cracks in the top layer that reveal a ton of unwatered soil underneath (I can provide a picture later if need be).

    Overall, I think I like this soil because it's nutrient rich, but I feel like the aeration is lacking. For my next run I think I'll put some additional perlite. Hopefully that will help with even wet and dry times.

    If anyone else has had similar issues with this soil, please comment with solutions or suggestions.

    Thanks in advance,

    The Soil Section
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  2. #2 TimJ, Mar 3, 2022
    It sounds like you've let your soil mass go hydrophobic. It's hard to get soil saturated once that happens with a plant in place. I'd suggest using soap nuts soaked overnight in your water supply. I'd also suggest SLOWLY watering with a sprayer. Water in a few cups, wait 15 minutes, and continue this watering cycle until you see some runoff. Let your pot soak up that run off. You should be fine once you saturate your soil mass correctly. Also,take into consideration any heater or air flow that may be directed towards your fabric pots as either will dry them much faster than your others. One last thing, some plants just drink more than others.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  3. #3 Green Dragging, Mar 3, 2022
    I encounter that with my 100 n 60 gal cloth pots,I did have grassroots put the perferated plastic on inner upper pot walls but , I'm on sip trays,I only H20 the top when amending the soil.
    I broadfork my soil , keep mulch moist, extra water at pot edge and like timj said about watering, slow and steady wins the race.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  4. #4 Organic sinse, Mar 3, 2022
    Use very warm water when you irrigate. 80-90’F is good for established pots. Hydrophobic peat rehydrates better with warmer water.
    If you can’t get soap nuts. Aloe or yucca added to the water works well too. The powder concentrate is available at many grow shops.
    Once you get it properly hydrated, mulch will help to slow the soil transpiration helping to even out the wet and dry spots. Something as simple as a sheet of damp cardboard will work well. Cut out a circle of cardboard just slightly smaller that the top of your pot. Fold it in half and cut it into to halves. In the middle of each half, cut out a small circle for your stem. Then just fit the halves on top the pot. Remove when you water, and replace. Wet it every once in a while when it dries out.
    Cheers
    Os
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  5. #5 Taoist Farmer, Mar 4, 2022
    Blumats will keep your soil at an ideal moisture level once they’re dialed in, just keep your res filled.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1

Share This Page