Colombian Andes Greenhouse SIP CBD Auto Grow

[cbdhemp808]

Hey CBD!

That does sound good! Thank you!
Subcool's formula specifies the best canna mix you can for the base soil, so if Roots is "one of the best potting soils for cannabis", then it sounds worth the extra expense.

I'd say go for the U.S. one if possible. I'm just leery of the Spanish bag, because it doesn't list the ingredients.

If you can't get the U.S. one for a reasonable price, then perhaps the Confia would be best, provided you can confirm the sodium content is low. You could use that as a base and add some additional things, like greensand, and whatever you think it needs.

Oh!
Hmmm, well, I saw that you did a review on Roots before. Can you perhaps tell if it is the same by looking at it? (Or not really?)
I cut open the plastic. It is a little bit moist, but it still does really well with a tilth test (i.e., it still falls apart after being crushed).
Not a lot of long fibers, but it is nice and fluffy and airy.

Sorry, I never actually experienced it first hand.

I went to Confiabonos' website, and they had this ingredients list for the Premium:

>> This substrate is composed of, Vermiculite, coconut substrate, perlite, zeolite, earthworm humus, Guano, Canadian Peat, Diatomaceous Earth and Thrichoderma.

I see lots of fibers, but I do not see any greensand, or meals, and I think Roots may have more manures.

Yeah, the Biogreen Premium doesn't contain those.

 

[CBDMed]

I'd say go for the U.S. one if possible. I'm just leery of the Spanish bag, because it doesn't list the ingredients.

Yeah, it looks like a sealed plastic bag with importation markings on it. It seems possible that someone might counterfeit soil, but I doubt it.
It's not that much more money, and it could save me from having another episode like the last one.

If you can't get the U.S. one for a reasonable price, then perhaps the Confia would be best, provided you can confirm the sodium content is low. You could use that as a base and add some additional things, like greensand, and whatever you think it needs.

Yeah, I think we can afford the Roots. It's got lots of meals and things I can't find here, so it's probably perfect for what I need. In fact I just realized that Roots was one of a few select soils Subcool recommends for the base soil (and maybe his preferred one, since he mentions it first):

>> Since I want to give you a very specific idea of what I consider to be a balanced soil, take a look at the ingredients in a product called Roots Organic:


I am not stuck on Subcool, it is just that I knew Subcool from before--so when I saw Subcool's components for sale at Bendita Sea, I landed on it with all fours.
I did not know that I was buying "lowest bidder" junk soil (maybe with table salt instead of Epsom Salt??)

Sorry, I never actually experienced it first hand.

Well, OK, now we get a chance to see what Roots Organic soil is like in Colombia!
They had the same list of ingredients on the website, and if it is what it says it is, it should be very good!

Yeah, the Biogreen Premium doesn't contain those.

Yeah, the Roots just looks a whole lot better.
I put 8 more bags on the shopping list, so with all of the collapsed bridges and such (due to all the rain), maybe we will see those in a week or two.
And then I can remix and cook, aerating with Perlite this time!

And our new rule is to get the best quality workmen, and the highest quality inputs as we can find.
And to look for guaranteed analysis as much as possible!
Haha, hopefully I will have REAL Supersoil again soon, Father willing! (No more Saltwater SIPs!)

 

[InTheShed]

Haha, hopefully I will have REAL Supersoil again soon

Are you going to be starting from scratch again but following the recipe exactly this time (without rice hulls e.g.!)?

 

[CBDMed]

Are you going to be starting from scratch again but following the recipe exactly this time (without rice hulls e.g.!)?

That's the plan.
What is the recommended rate for Perlite?

 

[InTheShed]

Whatever is on the recipe sheet! I don't mix my own soil.

 

[CBDMed]

Whatever is on the recipe sheet! I don't mix my own soil.

Hahahaha! Subcool doesn't specify, but I heard Reservoir Dog say 40% was an ideal target number. (I don't know if anyone else has a different/better number.)

 

[cbdhemp808]

So, you want to add more perlite to the Roots Organic soil? It already contains perlite.

I think I understand... you want to mix another subcool super soil, using the Roots Organic as a base?

It contains:

"Perlite, Coco Fiber, Peat Moss, Composted Forest Material, Pumice, Worm Castings, Bat Guano, Soybean Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Fishbone Meal, Kelp Meal, and Greensand. Also contains beneficial mycorrhizal fungi: Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Septoglomus desertícola..."

Sooo... maybe would be good to first know the NPK and level of micro-nutrients before adding more nutrients. (I can't find the NPK anywhere.)

Looking at your label again...

Notice it says pH 5.13... that's also strange. Buyers of the U.S. version on Amazon are saying pH is 6.0-6.5 or higher.

I'd shoot an email to AURORA and ask them about the ingredients and pH of the Tech Industries bag. Why a completely different label than the U.S. version? What's the NPK?

contact@aurorainnovations.com

I notice the Confia lists pH 6.5 on the bag. Depending on what AURORA says, and because you are going to blend another supersoil, maybe Confia would work for you.

 

[CBDMed]

I think I understand... you want to mix another subcool super soil, using the Roots Organic as a base?

Yes, exactly.

It contains:

"Perlite, Coco Fiber, Peat Moss, Composted Forest Material, Pumice, Worm Castings, Bat Guano, Soybean Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Fishbone Meal, Kelp Meal, and Greensand. Also contains beneficial mycorrhizal fungi: Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Septoglomus desertícola..."

Sooo... maybe would be good to first know the NPK and level of micro-nutrients before adding more nutrients. (I can't find the NPK anywhere.)

Yeah, that is weird, isn't it??

Looking at your label again...

Notice it says pH 5.13... that's also strange. Buyers of the U.S. version on Amazon are saying pH is 6.0-6.5 or higher.

Whoa! What???
Their website recommends pH 5.5-6.5.

I'd shoot an email to AURORA and ask them about the ingredients and pH of the Tech Industries bag. Why a completely different label than the U.S. version? What's the NPK?

contact@aurorainnovations.com

Yeah, great questions! Done!
Hopefully we will hear back soon.

I notice the Confia lists pH 6.5 on the bag. Depending on what AURORA says, and because you are going to blend another supersoil, maybe Confia would work for you.

Yeah, could be.
I wrote Confiabonos also, to ask them about their NPK, their sodium, and if they have any guaranteed analysis, etc.
Thanks!

 

[CBDMed]

Aurora Innovations wrote back. They said they only have one authorized distributor for Colombia (and it is not who I bought from).
So, very good! Now we will buy Roots Organic soil from the authorized dealer, and then once it get here, we can compare the official soil to what is in the existing bag.

I also hope to hear back from Confiabonos tomorrow, but if Roots is what is Subcool recommends (and it is loaded with lots of cool meals I can't get here), then I should really use that.
In his comments, Subcool mentioned that the smell was a lot richer in the finished buds with Roots as the base soil.

>> So far we’ve found that Roots Organic produces a more floral smell in the finished buds, while Harvest Moon generates larger yields.

So we will go with that!
Thanks again for the good soil sample analysis, CBD!!

 

[CBDMed]

Well, Confiabonos sent their technical data today.
They do not mention sodium.
They only generally mention a pH range (6-7).
I think Roots Organic from the certified vendor is the way to go.

**

 

[cbdhemp808]

I think Roots Organic from the certified vendor is the way to go.

I wonder if it comes with the U.S. label.

 

[CBDMed]

I wonder if it comes with the U.S. label.

EDIT: It would be nice, but I tend to doubt it, because they normally either label everything with a Spanish labelled sack that is marked "for export" (or whatever), or they paste another label over the US English label (but that's harder to do on plastic sacks). This one looks painted right onto or incorporated into the plastic somehow.

I am very interested to see if the "official" consistency seems the same as that of the bag I bought from Bendita Sea.
If the consistency ISN'T the same, I will follow up.

Either way, Roots Certified Imported seems like my best bet.
I could be wrong, but I don't think Roots will risk their reputation by making an inferior product for the third world. (At least, not under the same label. At least I hope not, haha!)

 

[cbdhemp808]

I tend to doubt it, because they normally either label everything with a Spanish labelled sack that is marked "for export", or else they paste another label over the US English label (but that's harder to do on plastic sacks).

I am very interested to see if the "official" consistency seems the same as that of the bag I bought from Bendita Sea.
If the consistency ISN'T the same, I will follow up.

Either way, Roots Certified Imported seems like my best bet.
I could be wrong, but I don't think Roots will risk their reputation by making an inferior product for the third world. (At least, not under the same label. At least I hope not, haha!)

Did AURORA say that the exported version (Spanish label) is made and packaged by AURORA in the U.S.?

If so, I agree with you. But even then, why would they obliterate the ingredient list when printing the Spanish label?

On the other hand, if the product is packaged in Columbia, using a locally-printed plastic bag, then this raises some suspicion, because anything could be placed in the bag. They could add filler for example.

I think AURORA is probably a good company, but I'm concerned about this importation thing. Yes, they would not risk their reputation, but at some point they are turning over control to a distributor. It seems the mystery is in the packaging.

Confiabonos also doesn't want to risk their reputation, but their product is produced and packaged locally. If you can get a straight answer re: sodium, or even just get a sodium test done, then maybe you still have that option.

 

[CBDMed]

Did AURORA say that the exported version (Spanish label) is made and packaged by AURORA in the U.S.?

If so, I agree with you. But even then, why would they obliterate the ingredient list when printing the Spanish label?

On the other hand, if the product is packaged in Columbia, using a locally-printed plastic bag, then this raises some suspicion, because anything could be placed in the bag. They could add filler for example.

I think AURORA is probably a good company, but I'm concerned about this importation thing. Yes, they would not risk their reputation, but at some point they are turning over control to a distributor. It seems the mystery is in the packaging.

Confiabonos also doesn't want to risk their reputation, but their product is produced and packaged locally. If you can get a straight answer re: sodium, or even just get a sodium test done, then maybe you still have that option.

Hmmmm.......

Great points!!

I lost internet last night while reading this, so then I had time to consider.

I wrote Aurora Innovations back, and they only answered ONE of the questions ("Yes, that's our soil! Congratulations on finding it!") so I wrote them back this morning, to clarify some necessary things.

**

Hi [again]!
Sorry for any repeat emails. My internet was messed up until now.
That is great news to hear that I found the authentic Roots source! I am very glad to hear that! Only, I still have some questions.

I am a medical user trying to make Subcool's Supersoil for homegrown medicine, so please forgive me for needing to ask so many details (as it involves my health.)
You may already know this, but Subcool's Supersoil specifies Roots Organic soil as one of three recommended base soils (I think because of all the premium meals and other ingredients in the US version).
Because Subcool assumes the premium US ingredients as part of his recipe, I need to know:

A. Is the Colombia Roots formula made in the USA (and imported)? Or is it made here in Colombia?

B. Is the Colombia Roots formula (exactly) the same as the Roots USA formula? Or is it different (in which case, what are the ingredients, exactly)?

C. Is there any specific or guaranteed analysis for the Colombia Roots soil? (Or if it is the exact same formula, then why are the labels so different?)

D. Are there any N-P-K or other values for the Colombia product?

E. And why is the pH listed as 5.13, when your website says you recommend a higher pH than that?

Thank you for all the detailed information! Sorry to ask so many questions, but it would be great to know if we can use the Colombia Roots soil as our standard base soil moving forward.
I hope you have a wonderful day!

**

So we will see what he says.

Thanks again for asking all your doubts!

 

[CBDMed]

Ok, Aurora Innovations writes back:

**

Subject:Re: Is the Colombia Roots Organic Soil formula exactly the same as the US formula?

Simply put. This soil is the same soil we make in Eugene Oregon and it is imported. It is the exact same recipe. We do not out NPK values on our soil as we keep it proprietary.

The labels are different as the Colombian government required us to make separate labels for the product. I’m not sure why the ph is listed lower. I believe tech industries asked us to put that on there, but I’m not sure. I would follow what our website says.

Thanks!

[Dude]
Aurora Innovations
Director of Sales and Marketing

**

I am guessing I should check the pH with a pen.
I started a small quantity of soil on to soak with de-mineralized water.

I don't have any more calibration powders.
Is it still calibrated from the last time I checked the pH (about a month ago)?

It says if the electrode has dried out, to soak it for a few hours first????
So I am re-soaking the electrode in demineralized water...
(I hope I can remember how to do it...)

 

[InTheShed]

So I am re-soaking the electrode in demineralized water...

If demineralized is the same as distilled, that's not good for pH pens.

Can I used distilled or deionized water to store my pH electrode?

You would think that pure or ultra-pure water would be the perfect way to maintain your electrode - but it is not.

knowledge.hannainst.com

Can I used distilled or deionized water to store my pH electrode?​

No, never use this for storage it will damage the electrode. Storing in deionized (DI) water, or distilled water causes ions to leach from the glass membrane and reference electrolyte. Thus resulting in a slow and sluggish response.

 

[CBDMed]

If demineralized is the same as distilled, that's not good for pH pens.

Can I used distilled or deionized water to store my pH electrode?

You would think that pure or ultra-pure water would be the perfect way to maintain your electrode - but it is not.

knowledge.hannainst.com

Can I used distilled or deionized water to store my pH electrode?​

No, never use this for storage it will damage the electrode. Storing in deionized (DI) water, or distilled water causes ions to leach from the glass membrane and reference electrolyte. Thus resulting in a slow and sluggish response.

Thanks, Shed!!
Only...
Oy....
My instruction sheet says if the electrode has been dry for too long, to wet it...

:-/

What do I do??

 

[InTheShed]

If they're okay with it then I guess it's okay. Maybe not for long term storage though.

 

[CBDMed]

Yeah, ok. For long term storage I will just leave the cap on, and maybe re-wet it with demineralized water a few hours before I take any readings? (I guess we will try it...) Thanks!

 

[InTheShed]

I actually bought something for long term storage which was a potassium chloride solution. I'm sure you could make your own if you have any of that on hand.