LedZppln

I got a few bags of this stuff, thinking I could use it as a substitute for potting soil. I mixed it with about 25% vermiculite, 25% perlite, and 50% compost mix.

After I transplanted my girls into the new mix for flowering, I watered nearly 2 gallons of water each and it just barely came out of the bottom. Now is this organic compost mix ok to use instead of soil? It has some small NPK ratio on it, but nothing much. Basically what I am worried about is that it holds too much water. It has been about a week now and around the top is still a 10 on the moisture meter. So, anyone have an opinion?

organic

Yes, I have an opinion

My first grow was with about 30% compost and I had a severe overwatering problem. Once I figured out what the problem was, it took them a month to dry out - granted, I was growing in 4-gal buckets, but anyway you get the point. compost can hold 190% of its weight in water....that's why you're supposed to use some in your mix.

A general guide would be that the more compost your soil mix has, the more perlite you ought to be using. And I would stay away from the vermiculite if you're using compost as it also has water-retaining capabilities. Straight perlite, baby!

__________________

Hie thee hence to The Library
__________________