There is a high percentage of growers who will swear that if you want the best-tasting and cleanest cannabis around, then you need to grow with soil. Suppose you are new to growing organic cannabis. In that case, you may not be familiar with the terms living soil or super soil and how they significantly benefit cannabis plant growth.
In this article, I will explain what they both mean, signs of top-quality soil, why aerated compost teas are recommended, how enzymes affect soil health, how amino acids affect soil, and all the reasons why you should be using the Atami VGN line for the ultimate organic grow, and my 5 top tips!
What Does Living Soil and Super Soil Mean?
The term living soil or super soil refers to an organic growing medium that contains all the essential nutrients and symbiotic microorganisms that a cannabis plant needs. You only need to add pH-adjusted water when growing with super soil. The soil is alive with microbes, fungi and millions of beneficial microorganisms that form a symbiotic relationship with the roots of a cannabis plant, which is where the name living soil originates from.
Super soil is a term given to a specific recipe of soil that contains everything a plant would need from seed until harvest. There will be zero chemical additives inside, and it will feed plants by breaking down organic matter and converting the food back into easily digestible nutrients. Below is a list of the ingredients that are typically found when making a super soil mix from scratch.
● Compost is made from organic matter containing microbes and fungi.
● Worm castings like Worm Delight are made from worm castings.
● Kelp is made from seaweed and contains macro nutrients and growth hormones.
● Fish meal contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
● Bone meal is a slow-release fertiliser made from ground animal bones.
● Blood meal is made from dried animal blood and slowly releases nitrogen.
● Bat guano is a rich source of phosphorus and enhances root and flower production.
● Epsom salts are made from magnesium sulfate.
● Azomite is a naturally occurring rock mineral rich in trace elements.
So, How Does The Soil Food Web Work?
Living soil is made up of a life force that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Deep within a healthy soil culture, there will be a living network of bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa and arthropods. It is their job to recycle organic matter into smaller, easily accessible amino acids and proteins, which a cannabis plant’s roots can efficiently uptake.
5 Signs of Top-Quality Soil
The quality of good soil depends on several factors, including its smell, drainage, microbial life, the presence of worms and beneficial insects, and its colour. Below is a breakdown of the five signs to look out for when identifying top-quality soil to produce the best soil for growing weed.
1) The aroma
If you take a handful of soil and rub it together with your fingers, it should be rich, earthy and have a slightly sweet aroma. No matter how old the soil culture is, there will be a complex but pleasant smell that represents a high level of microbiology and fungi present. If your soil has a sour or rotten smell, it indicates contamination with harmful bacteria and an acidic profile.
2) Drainage
It is essential to have a good quality soil structure that drains well when it has been saturated. If your soil feels heavy and dense and becomes waterlogged after watering, consider adding perlite to enhance aeration and drainage. This is especially important when you are planting cannabis seedlings or clones.
3) Full of microorganisms
Soil is teeming with millions of beneficial microbes and fungi. This is what typically gives fresh soil its earthy, sweet aroma. A top-quality soil will contain probiotic bacteria, microbes and mycorrhizal fungi. It is the same microorganisms that form symbiosis with the plants, and do all the work at breaking down organic matter, converting nutrients for the roots and also fighting off harmful diseases and pathogens.
4) Worms inside
One of the best indicators that your soil is top quality is when you grab a handful and notice small red worms are crawling around. Worms are incredibly beneficial to soil health and also improve the soil structure. Not only do worms crawl around creating small tunnels which enhance aeration, but they also deposit worm casings that are rich in beneficial bacteria.
5) The colour
As long as the soil ranges from dark brown to black, and has a loose and airy appearance and colour, then you will be on the right track. Soil comprises layers of organic matter that have composted over long periods.
How Amino Acids and Humic Acids Affect Soil Health
As organic matter decomposes inside soil, beneficial microbes will break down the organic material from larger-sized proteins into smaller amino acids. This process, which utilises enzymes, facilitates nutrient uptake in plants and is essential for maintaining optimal soil health and promoting plant growth and development. Amino acids also help regulate the soil pH and prevent nutrient lockout.
How Do Enzymes Affect Soil and Nutrient Availability?
Enzymes such as ATAzyme accelerate the decomposition process of organic matter, influencing nutrient availability for a cannabis plant. Combined with probiotic bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms, enzymes are an essential part of the soil food web and significantly impact soil health and plant vitality. Below is a list of the different enzymes that are found within a healthy soil culture.
● mylase
● catalase
● cellulases
● arylsulfatases
● proteases
● urease
● phosphatases
Aerated Compost Tea and Its Benefits on the Soil
If you notice that your soil lacks some of the qualities of top-quality soil, one easy and highly effective way to boost and supercharge it is to use aerated compost tea. You are feeding the soil aerated liquid tea made from organic matter such as compost or worm castings.
The tea is brewed over 24 hours using an air stone, an air pump and a bucket of water to produce a population of beneficial microorganisms that are then introduced back to the soil. Imagine a liquid drench that fosters a thriving soil food web, enabling the soil to become rich in nutrients and microorganisms. Organic compost teas are beneficial for old soil cultures that do not contain many nutrients or when the soil structure is not in optimal condition.
Harmful Bacteria and Soil Diseases
There will be times when growing cannabis with soil, you notice the soil is harmful to your plants. The roots are no longer strong and bright white, but are closer to brown, and the roots seem weak and easily break apart. Combined with a sour or rotting aroma, this is one sign that the soil contains a high population of anaerobic bacteria and pathogens such as root rot.
● Anaerobic bacteria live in low-oxygen environments and acidic conditions.
● Waterlogged soil with poor drainage will promote the development of anaerobic bacteria.
● Soil that feels dense and compact will restrict oxygen and affect pH levels.
● Root rot causes the roots to turn brown, mushy and begin to decay quickly.
● Plants suffering from root rot will wilt, experience nutrient lockout, and become stunted.
VGN Feeds the Soil Food Web!
We are incredibly proud of our latest VGN nutrient line, which consists of an organic 4-part feed. All of the ingredients in the VGN line contain only organic matter and contain no additives or chemicals. Not only will using the VGN line promote the ultimate healthy crop, it will also keep the soil food web function optimal and ensure that your plants have an abundance of primary and secondary nutrients, as well as those essential trace elements needed for growing robust and large-yielding cannabis plants. It is recommended to follow the VGN feeding chart for the best results.
5 Top Tips When Growing Cannabis Using Soil
If you are ready to produce your super soil or have fallen in love with the symbiotic nature of living soil, consider the following 5 top tips to help you grow the best cannabis buds possible.
Tip #1: Soil pH should range from 6.0 to 7.0
Cannabis plants growing in soil rely on a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. If the pH range is any higher or lower, plants can quickly experience nutrient lockout, resulting in a nutrient deficiency and slow growth and development. Check your water source using a pH pen, or invest in a soil pH meter that is to be inserted into the soil.
Tip #2: Throw Away Contaminated Soil
Suppose you notice that your soil has become rotten and contains a rotting egg or sour aroma. In that case, unfortunately, the soil has been contaminated and is teeming with harmful bacteria. Never mix contaminated soil with fresh, healthy soil; instead, throw the bad soil away from your garden.
Tip #3: Use Compost Tea Frequently
Aerated compost teas are incredible for restoring depleted soils, maximising soil health and fertility, and ensuring astonishing plant growth. It is best to use nitrogen-rich aerated tea, such as worm or compost tea, during the vegetation stage, then try using phosphorus and potassium-rich teas during flowering, such as bat guano tea, which I recommended for growing an Auto flower weed plant.
Tip #4: Using Perlite For Better Drainage
Soil can easily become overwatered, especially if you are new to growing with soil and unsure whether you are over- or underwatering. One easy and highly effective way to fix soil with poor quality drainage is to mix perlite in at a 50/50 ratio. Perlite will increase the number of air pockets present in the soil, improve the soil structure, prevent over-saturation and help speed up drying time.
Tip #5: Organic Inputs
Top dressing your growing medium with worm castings and compost is a superb way to add organic inputs back to the soil. Over time, soil can become depleted of nutrients, so adding a light top dressing every week, combined with aerated compost teas, will ensure your cannabis plants never run short of nutrients.
