TOPICS > GROWING MARIJUANA > GROWING MARIJUANA: ADVANCED TIPS > GROW MEDIUM > SOIL > CANNABIS SUPER SOIL
cannabis SUPER SOIL (WITH RECIPE)
vIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Hi, I’m your prof from Indica Institute, and this is my advanced cannabis growing course entitled “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips.” I’ve designed this course to help and instruct people on how to grow cannabis plants to obtain better results in terms of overall plant health, yield, taste and more. The course covers a variety of topics including best practices for germination techniques, cloning, transplanting, grow medium, grow environment and nutrients.
Visit me at Indica Institute or my YouTube channel for a list of cannabis related courses, tips and more. I hope you find the video useful, and please like and subscribe so I can continue making more videos like these!
Hi and welcome to my unit on cannabis growing medium. The objective of this lesson is to learn the benefits and drawbacks of nutrient rich cannabis ‘super soil,’ how to make your own super soil and important things you should know when growing with nutrient rich soil. All links mentioned in this video can be found in the video description, along with a link to Indica Institute where you can find a growing list of cannabis related courses and recommendations.
After watching part one of this lesson on cannabis soil, hopefully you have a good understanding of the basics behind a good nutrient rich soil in order to create your own organic soil. The second part of this lesson is dedicated to walking you through creating your own super soil in order to get the biggest, best tasting organic buds you’ve ever grown. Before we get started though, let's take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of creating your own soil so you can judge for yourself whether it is right for you.
The benefits of super soil is that it is extremely low maintenance. There’s no need to adjust the pH levels of the soil as the soil itself is a bio-diverse ecosystem, living and feeding off of itself. It naturally checks it’s own pH as the microorganisms in the soil create a symbiotic relationship with your plant. There is also no need to add more chemicals or nutrients, which eliminates the need to flush your plants before harvest as well. A good super soil also releases the right nutrients at the exact right time, so your plant will thrive. Many growers believe using super soil also makes the look, taste and smoothness of your buds better. While this is generally subjective, it does make some sense if we attribute the harshness of buds to the use of chemical nutrients and fertilizers during plant growth. Finally, and arguably the strongest argument for super soil, is that it is purely organic, allowing you to control and know exactly what is going into your plants and buds.
There are some drawbacks to super soil though. Firstly, it can be costly if you are choosing to make it on your own as often recipes for mixes found online are for large gardens, not those of us who plan to grow only a few plants for personal or recreational use. In this case, it is a good idea to just purchase some of the pre-made bagged stuff out there. Another disadvantage is that making your own soil requires some advanced planning, and mixing the components and waiting for decomposition can sometimes take 60 days or more. Finally, while a nutrient rich soil eliminates the need for supplemental nutrients, it does grow slightly slower so if you want a quick turnover on your crop it may be best to go with a more traditional potting soil mix and supplemental nutrients.
So with these points prefaced, we can begin the lesson on how to make your own super soil. The first thing you will need, is a tarp. Lay the tarp down where the soil will compost, or purchase a small childrens pool to do your mixing in. The best size would be about 3 feet deep and 3-4 feet in diameter.
Start your mix with a thick layer of organic carbon matter about 3-4 inches tall. Be sure to cover the entire base of your mixing area. Examples of this ingredient include coco coir, peat moss or something similar to this.
Next, add an equal layer of compost to the mix. BE SURE the compost you add has fully composted, and is no longer ‘cooking’. The best would be a compost made yourself from organic matter such as banana peels, orange peels, etc.
Add a thin layer of perlite to the mix. Do not cover the entire area in white, but rather look for closely distributed white dots.
Next, add your nitrogen layer about 2-3 inches in height. This can be in the form of manure, bat guano, fish/crustacean meal and worm castings. As each of these release nitrogen at differing levels and at different points throughout your grow, feel free to use a mix of these, or choose just one. Although when adding, a good quantity marker to go by is the mixture should be no more than 5% bat guano, and no more than 20% worm castings. Any more than this and the nutrient overload will begin to harm your plants.
Next, add a thin layer of phosphorus rich ingredient, about ½ an inch thick. This can come in the form of bone meal, chicken manure or rock phosphate. Like the nitrogen ingredients, feel free to mix ingredients together or choose just one.
Continue to add layer upon layer until the pile has reached about 3 feet in height. After the first set of layers is complete, add about 1 cup of kelp meal. After the second set of layers is complete add a cup of humic acid. This will increase fungal diversity in your soil. When all is complete add half a cup of gypsum or azomite to the mix to really boost soil complexity and micro-nutrient diversity.
Wrap the mixture in your tarp or cover the children's pool with a tarp. The goal here is to trap air and heat inside, and let the mixture cook in the sun for between 30 and 60 days, turning thoroughly every 5-7 days. Try to completely encapsulate your mixture whenever possible. If you don’t or can’t, be sure to keep an eye out for bugs. They will naturally attempt to join in on the fun inside your tarp, as you are essentially creating the perfect environment for them to thrive and breed. Make sure your mixture remains moist, but not wet, through the entire process. This is important because once the mixture dries the decomposition process comes to a halt. Add water sparingly as needed, which will also help to cool the manure in the mix that naturally heats up from the decomposition process.
You will notice the decomposition process is complete when the soil is soft to the touch, crumbles in your hand and is dark black in colour. Be sure the mixture is no longer hot by burying your hand in to test the temperature. The entire process should take between 30 and 60 days.
Feel free to add worms to the mixture. It will help the compost process and help to loosen your soil so your plant can grow more easily. There is no harm in adding them to your pots either, this will only help to aerate and loosen the soil. I should note that this is a very general mixture, and different strains will vary in their liking to it. Though do not be afraid to deviate from this so long as you understand the main macro-nutrient components, and why soil complexity is so important.
I have provided this layering strategy to the mixture instructions in the hopes that it will be easy for smaller growers to scale down production size for their own needs. I hope it serves this purpose well. Each new ingredient adds a new element of microbes and nutrient distribution to your soil, so often the more ingredients you add, the more complex your soil becomes and the more your plant thrives as a result. It is for this reason you should not be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Now that you’re ready to grow in your own nutrient rich soil, I want to again go over some of the basics for growing with super soil.
First, do not use distilled water. This will only mess with the pH levels of your soil.
Secondly, only use water with a pH level between 6 and 7. If your tap water is not in this range then you will need to find another source to water your plants.
Third, when watering with super soil try to provide exactly what the plant needs with little to no run off. Measure how much water your pot will hold up to the point where water starts to run off. Then, with future watering dial back how much water you provide to the point where there is no run off at all. This is important because your soil holds the nutrients your plant needs, so you can imagine water run off as vital plant nutrients being flushed out of the soil. Continuing to do this will drain all the nutrients from your soil, eliminating all the benefits of the soil you worked so hard to create.
Fourth, try to grow in fabric pots whenever possible, and place your pots on a breathable rack elevated from the floor. This will ensure proper airflow to the roots from all angles and promote great root structure and plant growth.
Fifth, if you notice nutrient issues with your plant even though you have followed all the rules, chances are you need to test the pH of your water source before watering and adjust as necessary.
Sixth, early in the germination and seedling stages of plant growth use regular potted soil to avoid nutrient burn and other plant growth problems. When you transfer your seedling to a larger pot for the early vegetative stage, fill ½ to ¾ of the pot with super soil then add regular or slightly amended potting soil on top of it. This way your plant will not access the nutrient rich soil until it’s roots are old enough to benefit from them. In the event that your younger plants do get nutrient burn from your soil, it will only temporarily stunt their growth. As they get bigger they will be able to handle more nutrients and be able to recover at this point.
So in review, Super soil has its advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages are that it makes for a low maintenance grow and eliminates the need for supplemental nutrients and flushing. It is also believed to produce better tasting buds that are truly organic. Disadvantages of super soil are that it is expensive to make yourself or purchase. If you plan to make it yourself it requires a lot of planning and can make for a slower growing, albeit healthier plant. Follow the mixture directions, and add or subtract ingredients as you desire so long as you do not ignore the main macro-nutrient needs of your plant when playing with your own recipe. Finally, be sure to adhere to the guidelines I have previously listed when using nutrient rich soil to grow. This will ensure you have the highest likelihood for success in your grow.
I hope you found this installment of my course “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips” useful. For more cannabis related courses or recommendations on the best grow products out there, visit me at Indica Institute or subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you have any comments or suggestions for a new video, be sure to join the discussion in the comment feed below.
Please like and share this video, and as always, thank you for listening!
Visit me at Indica Institute or my YouTube channel for a list of cannabis related courses, tips and more. I hope you find the video useful, and please like and subscribe so I can continue making more videos like these!
Hi and welcome to my unit on cannabis growing medium. The objective of this lesson is to learn the benefits and drawbacks of nutrient rich cannabis ‘super soil,’ how to make your own super soil and important things you should know when growing with nutrient rich soil. All links mentioned in this video can be found in the video description, along with a link to Indica Institute where you can find a growing list of cannabis related courses and recommendations.
After watching part one of this lesson on cannabis soil, hopefully you have a good understanding of the basics behind a good nutrient rich soil in order to create your own organic soil. The second part of this lesson is dedicated to walking you through creating your own super soil in order to get the biggest, best tasting organic buds you’ve ever grown. Before we get started though, let's take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of creating your own soil so you can judge for yourself whether it is right for you.
The benefits of super soil is that it is extremely low maintenance. There’s no need to adjust the pH levels of the soil as the soil itself is a bio-diverse ecosystem, living and feeding off of itself. It naturally checks it’s own pH as the microorganisms in the soil create a symbiotic relationship with your plant. There is also no need to add more chemicals or nutrients, which eliminates the need to flush your plants before harvest as well. A good super soil also releases the right nutrients at the exact right time, so your plant will thrive. Many growers believe using super soil also makes the look, taste and smoothness of your buds better. While this is generally subjective, it does make some sense if we attribute the harshness of buds to the use of chemical nutrients and fertilizers during plant growth. Finally, and arguably the strongest argument for super soil, is that it is purely organic, allowing you to control and know exactly what is going into your plants and buds.
There are some drawbacks to super soil though. Firstly, it can be costly if you are choosing to make it on your own as often recipes for mixes found online are for large gardens, not those of us who plan to grow only a few plants for personal or recreational use. In this case, it is a good idea to just purchase some of the pre-made bagged stuff out there. Another disadvantage is that making your own soil requires some advanced planning, and mixing the components and waiting for decomposition can sometimes take 60 days or more. Finally, while a nutrient rich soil eliminates the need for supplemental nutrients, it does grow slightly slower so if you want a quick turnover on your crop it may be best to go with a more traditional potting soil mix and supplemental nutrients.
So with these points prefaced, we can begin the lesson on how to make your own super soil. The first thing you will need, is a tarp. Lay the tarp down where the soil will compost, or purchase a small childrens pool to do your mixing in. The best size would be about 3 feet deep and 3-4 feet in diameter.
Start your mix with a thick layer of organic carbon matter about 3-4 inches tall. Be sure to cover the entire base of your mixing area. Examples of this ingredient include coco coir, peat moss or something similar to this.
Next, add an equal layer of compost to the mix. BE SURE the compost you add has fully composted, and is no longer ‘cooking’. The best would be a compost made yourself from organic matter such as banana peels, orange peels, etc.
Add a thin layer of perlite to the mix. Do not cover the entire area in white, but rather look for closely distributed white dots.
Next, add your nitrogen layer about 2-3 inches in height. This can be in the form of manure, bat guano, fish/crustacean meal and worm castings. As each of these release nitrogen at differing levels and at different points throughout your grow, feel free to use a mix of these, or choose just one. Although when adding, a good quantity marker to go by is the mixture should be no more than 5% bat guano, and no more than 20% worm castings. Any more than this and the nutrient overload will begin to harm your plants.
Next, add a thin layer of phosphorus rich ingredient, about ½ an inch thick. This can come in the form of bone meal, chicken manure or rock phosphate. Like the nitrogen ingredients, feel free to mix ingredients together or choose just one.
Continue to add layer upon layer until the pile has reached about 3 feet in height. After the first set of layers is complete, add about 1 cup of kelp meal. After the second set of layers is complete add a cup of humic acid. This will increase fungal diversity in your soil. When all is complete add half a cup of gypsum or azomite to the mix to really boost soil complexity and micro-nutrient diversity.
Wrap the mixture in your tarp or cover the children's pool with a tarp. The goal here is to trap air and heat inside, and let the mixture cook in the sun for between 30 and 60 days, turning thoroughly every 5-7 days. Try to completely encapsulate your mixture whenever possible. If you don’t or can’t, be sure to keep an eye out for bugs. They will naturally attempt to join in on the fun inside your tarp, as you are essentially creating the perfect environment for them to thrive and breed. Make sure your mixture remains moist, but not wet, through the entire process. This is important because once the mixture dries the decomposition process comes to a halt. Add water sparingly as needed, which will also help to cool the manure in the mix that naturally heats up from the decomposition process.
You will notice the decomposition process is complete when the soil is soft to the touch, crumbles in your hand and is dark black in colour. Be sure the mixture is no longer hot by burying your hand in to test the temperature. The entire process should take between 30 and 60 days.
Feel free to add worms to the mixture. It will help the compost process and help to loosen your soil so your plant can grow more easily. There is no harm in adding them to your pots either, this will only help to aerate and loosen the soil. I should note that this is a very general mixture, and different strains will vary in their liking to it. Though do not be afraid to deviate from this so long as you understand the main macro-nutrient components, and why soil complexity is so important.
I have provided this layering strategy to the mixture instructions in the hopes that it will be easy for smaller growers to scale down production size for their own needs. I hope it serves this purpose well. Each new ingredient adds a new element of microbes and nutrient distribution to your soil, so often the more ingredients you add, the more complex your soil becomes and the more your plant thrives as a result. It is for this reason you should not be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Now that you’re ready to grow in your own nutrient rich soil, I want to again go over some of the basics for growing with super soil.
First, do not use distilled water. This will only mess with the pH levels of your soil.
Secondly, only use water with a pH level between 6 and 7. If your tap water is not in this range then you will need to find another source to water your plants.
Third, when watering with super soil try to provide exactly what the plant needs with little to no run off. Measure how much water your pot will hold up to the point where water starts to run off. Then, with future watering dial back how much water you provide to the point where there is no run off at all. This is important because your soil holds the nutrients your plant needs, so you can imagine water run off as vital plant nutrients being flushed out of the soil. Continuing to do this will drain all the nutrients from your soil, eliminating all the benefits of the soil you worked so hard to create.
Fourth, try to grow in fabric pots whenever possible, and place your pots on a breathable rack elevated from the floor. This will ensure proper airflow to the roots from all angles and promote great root structure and plant growth.
Fifth, if you notice nutrient issues with your plant even though you have followed all the rules, chances are you need to test the pH of your water source before watering and adjust as necessary.
Sixth, early in the germination and seedling stages of plant growth use regular potted soil to avoid nutrient burn and other plant growth problems. When you transfer your seedling to a larger pot for the early vegetative stage, fill ½ to ¾ of the pot with super soil then add regular or slightly amended potting soil on top of it. This way your plant will not access the nutrient rich soil until it’s roots are old enough to benefit from them. In the event that your younger plants do get nutrient burn from your soil, it will only temporarily stunt their growth. As they get bigger they will be able to handle more nutrients and be able to recover at this point.
So in review, Super soil has its advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages are that it makes for a low maintenance grow and eliminates the need for supplemental nutrients and flushing. It is also believed to produce better tasting buds that are truly organic. Disadvantages of super soil are that it is expensive to make yourself or purchase. If you plan to make it yourself it requires a lot of planning and can make for a slower growing, albeit healthier plant. Follow the mixture directions, and add or subtract ingredients as you desire so long as you do not ignore the main macro-nutrient needs of your plant when playing with your own recipe. Finally, be sure to adhere to the guidelines I have previously listed when using nutrient rich soil to grow. This will ensure you have the highest likelihood for success in your grow.
I hope you found this installment of my course “Growing Cannabis 201: Advanced Grow Tips” useful. For more cannabis related courses or recommendations on the best grow products out there, visit me at Indica Institute or subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you have any comments or suggestions for a new video, be sure to join the discussion in the comment feed below.
Please like and share this video, and as always, thank you for listening!
