Sparky's Quick-Start Guide to Soil

Im_Sparky's Quick-Start Guide to Soil

Over time, in our modern big-ag world, many of us have lost the knowledge of how to grow in soil successfully, and many people do not know the basics of how to get a healthy plant started.  Many people, with great intentions, end up being the reason why seeds or seedlings don't get off to a strong start, and many of us make the same mistakes, again -- with great intentions.  I thought a quick-start guide to soil would be helpful and would de-mystify getting started in soil.  Below is my advice.

SOIL
Start with a good commercially made, organic soil as a base (without salt-based nutrients). I am not talking about potting mix here. If you don't know the difference, then do a little research because they are very different things. Thoroughly mix in about 30% perlite and 30% compost (good compost is hard to find). If you have any sources of calcium (roasted and crushed eggshells) and also about 1/8 - 1/4C Epson salt per 5 gallons, then mix that in too. Let it sit for about 2-3 weeks, mixing it occasionally with a shovel (spread it on a tarp or place in a kiddie pool, the compost will make is smell). Could you get started right away?  It is possible, but I recommend you give it at least 2 weeks. Fill this into 3 to 5 gallon containers with good drainage.

SOWING
Sow your seeds directly into the pot, but not into the soil. Instead, place about 3/4 Cup peat or coir in the middle of the soil-filled pot, and sow directly into the coir, placing the seed horizontally, and just barely under the surface of the coir. Skip the soaking and the paper-towel method because as a newbie, it can very easily lead to drowning cannabis seeds. Water the seed in with room-temp water (pH'd to 6.5 and dechlorinated), and place a glass jar over the sown area as a humidity-dome. The seed should emerge in 24-48 hours if the temp is near 78-80F or 26C.  If not, do not go digging for it -- just give it another 2-3 days keeping the peat moist (not wet, just moist).

Emergence
Twenty four hours after the seedling emerges, prop the edge of the glass humidity-dome up so that the air inside the humidity dome can begin to mix with the air in the grow space (I use the handle of a plastic fork to prop-up the edge of the jar). After about 48-72 hours beyond germination, remove the humidity dome to expose the seedling to the grow-space air after the environment has been stabilized at about 78-80F or 26C and at a humidity of about 78%.

Watering and Feed
Feed the seedling only water for the first 5-7 days (pH'd to 6.5 and dechlorinated), but do not over-water -- this is probaly the #1 mistake newbies make in soil. Good soil has organics in it that are very effective at retaining water. Your soil should be only lightly moist, not wet.  How do you know? Put your finger into the soil about 1/2" down and about 2" away from the seedling, and feel it. When needed, lightly water, but water in a circle away from the seedling's stem, in about a 3" radius. In soil, you likely will only need a light watering every 5-7 days (depending on your setup and environment). If you have a good soil mix, you do not need to feed/fertilize for several weeks. A soil test can tell you exactly where your macro-nutrients are. If weeks into your grow you find you need nutrients, feed a liquid organic nutrient at 1/4 - 1/3 the recommended rate, and remember that this is delivered with water as a liquid feed so do not over-water the soil.

Hope that helps!