Grow mediums.

doublej

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where are you guys getting your medias at? Amazon?
Not sure if I trust just anywhere. Walmart? They have a shit load. The local garden store here just has the commercial grade ff, cheap run of the mill soils.
Just thought I'd ask.
 
Nice they are 'close' to me in Mass.
I'll have to check them out when cruising weather arrives.
One thing did stand out to me as a flag though.
They sell clones.
That means there could be issues with materials stored there?

I signed up and put 4 stonington and 1 seedstarter in my cart.
$119.
Shipping said $582~!🤯 I am in NY and closer than anyone else.
I think I will wait till the weather improves..
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Mine said 4k for 150$ I called, it's not right they said matt the shipping guy, was out till Friday.
I left my phone number for a return call....
 
Yes.
Here's the total on that soil lol

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Pride Lands seems to be the only one with a USPS or UPS option for less than $25 to ship 5 bags.

You don't need that seedling mix from CoM. Stonington is fine for seedlings. Every seedling sprout I've started in the past 2-3 years has gone direct into Stonington w/ no issue. Before that, direct to either Roots Greenfields, Roots Original, or Fox Farm Happy Frog.
Really haven't come across a soil too hot for sprouts since Vermifire and that's not around anymore. Maybe Roots Lush would be too hot but doubt it because I've put seedlings of other plants in that stuff without issue.

Your old Sunshine Mix is on Amazon w/ free delivery if you wanna pick up where you left off in the hobby

Black Gold is also on there from the same folks who make Sunshine #4. Old school favorite soil before all the brands like Roots and others came around. I was very close to choosing this but found Greenfields cheaper...

Wow that shits expensive, I just bought the last 2.8 cu\ft bags of my VPW30 $19.49 each Canadian. Gees whats that Usa? $12. The Sunshine mix at $78 Usa = about $110 + 15% Tax and shipping.......
I really like this VPW stuff now, already comes with 30% perlite and the 420 would have been even cheaper had it been in season.
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Wow that shits expensive, I just bought the last 2.8 cu\ft bags of my VPW30 $19.49 each Canadian. Gees whats that Usa? $12. The Sunshine mix at $78 Usa = about $110 + 15% Tax and shipping.......
I really like this VPW stuff now, already comes with 30% perlite and the 420 would have been even cheaper had it been in season.
View attachment 90927
That's why I asked in this thread.
I've grown a bunch, and used a few kinds of media, NEVER heard of this VPW.
And we have another one to look into!
👍
 
Wow that shits expensive, I just bought the last 2.8 cu\ft bags of my VPW30 $19.49 each Canadian. Gees whats that Usa? $12. The Sunshine mix at $78 Usa = about $110 + 15% Tax and shipping.......
I really like this VPW stuff now, already comes with 30% perlite and the 420 would have been even cheaper had it been in season.
View attachment 90927
I have been using VPW420 it has a starting charge in it i start from seed and all is good not to hot.
 
I have been using VPW420 it has a starting charge in it i start from seed and all is good not to hot.
I'm a bit surprised that its listed a bit cheaper than the VPW30 here at the Home hardware store, I get some stuff at a Needs & Feeds store, mainly for small hobby farmers and the 420 is a bit more expensive. I thought because its 420 friendly it would be normal to be more expensive everywhere. I've been using this VPW30 for years and I bought it originally because it was $10/bale cheaper than Promix. Still is and is just as good imho.....maybe not so h
 
I have a question, not really about where we get are stuff from, but here we are.

That slow release N doesn't mess with ya? How do you know it's the same every bag? If this makes sense.
 
Yes.
Here's the total on that soil lol

View attachment 90922

Pride Lands seems to be the only one with a USPS or UPS option for less than $25 to ship 5 bags.

You don't need that seedling mix from CoM. Stonington is fine for seedlings. Every seedling sprout I've started in the past 2-3 years has gone direct into Stonington w/ no issue. Before that, direct to either Roots Greenfields, Roots Original, or Fox Farm Happy Frog.
Really haven't come across a soil too hot for sprouts since Vermifire and that's not around anymore. Maybe Roots Lush would be too hot but doubt it because I've put seedlings of other plants in that stuff without issue.

Your old Sunshine Mix is on Amazon w/ free delivery if you wanna pick up where you left off in the hobby

Black Gold is also on there from the same folks who make Sunshine #4. Old school favorite soil before all the brands like Roots and others came around. I was very close to choosing this but found Greenfields cheaper...

I missed this yesterday...yeah kinda getting lead back to where I left off.
Couple of twists added but same.
 
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I have a question, not really about where we get are stuff from, but here we are.

That slow release N doesn't mess with ya? How do you know it's the same every bag? If this makes sense.
I mistakenly purchased some ProMix with slow release in it.
I set it aside for outdoor gardens.
I would not use it indoors knowing what I know [which isn't a lot but].
The bag was not clearly labeled IMO but when I got home and did a search it was more than clear.;hw
 
I mistakenly purchased some ProMix with slow release in it.
I set it aside for outdoor gardens.
I would not use it indoors knowing what I know [which isn't a lot but].
The bag was not clearly labeled IMO but when I got home and did a search it was more than clear.;hw
Thought I read COM has it?
 
I’ve purchased growing medium from local hardware stores, hydro shops, big box stores and amazon.

Amazon can be pretty expensive for delivery, everywhere else is hit and miss on availability and no matter what, they have whiteflies as soon as you water them the first time.

I’ve also seen that most any decent quality soil will work acceptably, however, you need to understand what the soil is providing the plant (as opposed to what your nutrient application supplies). By this, I mean the issues of pre-fertilized soil (how long will it last before you need to add nutrients), buffering (how does it affect ca-mag Levels for the plant, water retention and compaction over time. It’s easier if you know the soil qualities before you start as opposed to the early learning curve of figuring out your soil qualities.
Agreed. I'm in the middle of a small auto run using hardware store potting mix, Kelloggs Patio Plus Organic. They use ground up wood chips along with other stuff as the makeup of the mix. I added 30% perlite to improve drainage.

What I'm seeing early on is that the wood chip that makes up most of the mix compacts more than the coco/peat mixes. I'm also seeing fairly slow growth compared to the one I planted outside so I've moved all the pots out of the tent and outside as it seems they like the weather they're getting. I want to make sure that the slow growth was due to the medium and not something I did. The tent they were in had an environment range of 75° - 81° and 55% - 60% humidity. I also layered in a horizon of compost to see if that helps lengthen my being able to give them just water.
 
I guess I never looked at being hot and slow release as the same.
Could just be my mistake and prejudice towards some brands.
I know many say they get weeks from Stonington before feed is needed.
In general I start feeding [no matter what soil] by the time I get first set of real leaves.:rolleyes:
Yes right after the cotyledons so I guess I may not be the best to speak to this~!
 
Roots Organic "Original" is my go-to soil mix. Second choice is Fox Farm's Ocean Forrest. It used to be Roots Organic "Lush" but prices for that have gone through the roof. Lush would go all the way through veg before needing to be fed. With the other mixes, I start my feeding slightly early. I look at it more like trying to keep the "gas" in the tank so the plants can chug along at their own speed.
 
Called and talked to a lady, she says some things listed online may not be available because of the computer systems between the 2 stores is not updated always. Orders are good to make. Anything not available will be refunded

Yep, got refunded. Didn't think they'd honor $26 shipping on 5 bags but had to take the shot. Paypal pretty much made it no risk

Screenshot 2025-02-26 115821.png

I have a question, not really about where we get are stuff from, but here we are.

That slow release N doesn't mess with ya? How do you know it's the same every bag? If this makes sense.

You have to dig deep and find out exactly what triggers the slow release.
Usually it's temp. When soil gets to be a certain temp, nutes are released. This can often burn young or tender cannabis plants. It's better for old growth mature plants that are closer to trees than they are plants.
Some are moisture and temp release and are usually more mild but still, no control over when and how much gets released.
 
Yep, got refunded. Didn't think they'd honor $26 shipping on 5 bags but had to take the shot. Paypal pretty much made it no risk

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You have to dig deep and find out exactly what triggers the slow release.
Usually it's temp. When soil gets to be a certain temp, nutes are released. This can often burn young or tender cannabis plants. It's better for old growth mature plants that are closer to trees than they are plants.
Some are moisture and temp release and are usually more mild but still, no control over when and how much gets released.
I believe I've figured it out...95% ...maybe 🤔
 
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