promix vs soil

Flaming Pie said:

Bacteria and fungi can survive dry conditions. They create a film in the pockets of soil and can access the small molecules of water present in organic matter.

Click to expand...

so, what you are saying is they go into a survival mode when the soil gets dry, in other words, they don't thrive in dry conditions, so you probably shouldn't let your soil get fully dry for an ideal organic soil?


oh, wait, that's what I said,lol

chuck estevez said:

so, what you are saying is they go into a survival mode when the soil gets dry, in other words, they don't thrive in dry conditions, so you probably shouldn't let your soil get fully dry for an ideal organic soil?


oh, wait, that's what I said,lol

Click to expand...

My bad. I thought you were saying drying the soil (without the plant wilting) would kill off bacteria.

chuck estevez said:

• Dries out more frequently than general purpose, peat‑based mixes
• Well suited for low-light growing conditions and high humidity
• Less difficult to overwater crops
• Reduces incidence of water related problems (root diseases, algae and fungus gnats)
• Holds less water for improved leaching of fertilizer salts during crop cycle

this is from promix website, please notice the last one listed.
ALSO, you should never let your soil fully dry out, that solves the other issues. especially if organic, fungus and bacteria don't thrive in dry soil. how many people think they have an organic soil, then let it fully dry before watering, then wonder why it didn't work or faded to early?

Click to expand...

lmao i have 6 1 gallon jugs of water just sitting everyday if needed....thankyou usmc for making me soooo attentive!

I have used my preferred Pro-Mix for many years and many crops...
Pro-Mix BX.
I amend it with loads of Perlite, vermiculite and dolomite lime...make it nice and fluffy.
I buy the 3.8 cf bales locally...cheap and effective.
I also use straight BX for all of my vegetables and flowers...I love this stuff...

EWC should provide safe havens for the microbes.

chuck estevez said:

• Dries out more frequently than general purpose, peat‑based mixes
• Well suited for low-light growing conditions and high humidity
• Less difficult to overwater crops
• Reduces incidence of water related problems (root diseases, algae and fungus gnats)
• Holds less water for improved leaching of fertilizer salts during crop cycle

this is from promix website, please notice the last one listed.
ALSO, you should never let your soil fully dry out, that solves the other issues. especially if organic, fungus and bacteria don't thrive in dry soil. how many people think they have an organic soil, then let it fully dry before watering, then wonder why it didn't work or faded to early?

Click to expand...

Me !!!! Like a dumb ass..never crossed my mind that a completely dry organic soil makes the microbes and stuff go dormant thus loosing my "feeding" power .

skunkwreck said:

Me !!!! Like a dumb ass..never crossed my mind that a completely dry organic soil makes the microbes and stuff go dormant thus loosing my "feeding" power .

Click to expand...

Funguses won't die.They simply go dormant waiting for moisture. Bacteria are another matter.

hotrodharley said:

Funguses won't die.They simply go dormant waiting for moisture. Bacteria are another matter.

Click to expand...

That seems like it would be a dangerous balance to keep. Obviously you don't want your soil bone dry, but watering more often could lead to anaerobic bacteria like root rot.

I have read that the organic material and peat itself will hold onto microscopic water particles. That supposedly keeps a film layer for the bacteria to survive between watering/rain.

I started my grow with soil (MG potting soil) mixed with perlite and peat, but have switched to all promix and the clones in promix are growing twice as fast and busy as the same strain in soil, so take from that what you will. I should probably also say I use airpots (8gal.) and everything else is the same for all plants.

Ok now which one do you guy's or gals think is the better Pro Mix...HP or BX ?

skunkwreck said:

Ok now which one do you guy's or gals think is the better Pro Mix...HP or BX ?

Click to expand...

I use Pro Mix HP. It has more "porosity" (i.e. more perlite thus better drainage) than Pro Mix BX.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone else use this ProMix {I mix with 50% perlite} before, but this is what I have used for my last grow and for this current grow and I've had zero issues whatsoever last grow and this grow.

Enigmatic Ways said:

this is what I have used for my last grow

Click to expand...

You mean 1st grow...

Enigmatic Ways said:

I don't think I've ever seen anyone else use this ProMix {I mix with 50% perlite} before, but this is what I have used for my last grow and for this current grow and I've had zero issues whatsoever last grow and this grow.View attachment 3531667

Click to expand...

Cool.

I use ecoscraps organic soil (as a base for my supersoil) that I buy from Target for $6.99/bag, and my plant's do very well in it.

Gary Goodson said:

You mean 1st grow...

Click to expand...

Lol, yup....thanks for correcting me...Just transplanted earlier today{pics are from today right after transplant}as a matter of fact..ProMix and Advanced Nutrients a match made in heaven!! 52 days from seed 11 inches tall...ProMix forever...lol