Good soil to use?

[Jimmy Talons]

Hi, i'm brand new to this forum and to growing, had a (quick) look around but couldn't see anything about what John Innes soils to use from germination right through. I'm going to go with John Innes of some description cos that's all they have in my local gardening centre. I was wondering if anyone could recommend which number JI to go with and whether I should pick up anything else to mix it with? If anyone thinks they could help but isn't familiar with John Innes if you wouldn't mind you can scroll down on this link to see the content of their various number mixes.

http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/soil/john_innes/john_innes.php

Thank you in advance for your help :).

[bombbudpuffa]

Try to find some Sunshine potting mix or Promix soil. If you're brand new to growing you want a soil that you won't have to do much to.

[smokybear]

I agree with bomb. Try to find some pro mix. It is great stuff and I will probably never use anything else. Very great stuff. Just my thoughts. Take care and be safe.

[Jimmy Talons]

thanks guys, i'm in Ireland so i'm not sure if promix is available here. i'll have a look at it's content anyway and see if I can muster something up :D

[bombbudpuffa]

It's a canadian brand. Made by Premiere Horticulture, I think.

[Brouli]

personaly there is nothing better than ocean forest by FF specialy if u mixed 70/30 with light warrior :)

[Cortezz1904]

oh yeah!!! i use fox farm's ocean forest also.. it is amazazing

[GrowRebel]

Are all pro-mix good ... I mean there are different kinds ... BX ... HP ... PGX ... pro-mix for containers ... ect ... I see the BX is for professionals while the mix for containers are listed under consumers ...

... so again are all the different pro-mix good especially the BX general potting soil ... that's all that is available in this area ... :hubba:

is the ph in the BX general potting soil between 5.5-7.0?:confused2:

[bombbudpuffa]

The BX is good and it has lime in it so the ph should be fine. HP is the best imo. Lightest soil i've used.

[Brouli]

what is HP like those printers ?? :)
no for real what soil u talking about bombb ??

[Timmyjg6]

Fox farms all the way, but this is my first grow and have nothing to compare it too..

[GrowRebel]

FoxFarm isn't available in my area ...hell it was hard enough finding the pro-mix ... :hubba:

[Jerseydude]

personaly there is nothing better than ocean forest by FF specialy if u mixed 70/30 with light warrior :)

I agree.
I've used it with great success.

Good growin' to ya. :D

[bombbudpuffa]

what is HP like those printers ?? :)
no for real what soil u talking about bombb ??
Promix HP(high porosity)

[Runbyhemp]

[thanks guys, i'm in Ireland so i'm not sure if promix is available here. i'll have a look at it's content anyway and see if I can muster something up
Irish too mate. Try Westlands organic. You should be able to buy it at any garden centre.

[StonedMouse]

I hear loam soil is good.

[Jimmy Talons]

thanks a lot for all the suggestions, got me started nicely. planting a few more little seedlings and wondering should I add perlite and vermiculite now or wait until I transplant? any ratio I should adhere to?

[bombbudpuffa]

What soil did you go with. If you're using Promix HP theres no need for perl or verm. I never add any extra perlite or vermiculate to any soil anyway:D so maybe someone who adds ammendments can help.

[Jimmy Talons]

I went with John Innes no 2 which contains (according to link in my original post)
7 Loam
3 Peat
2 Sand
whatever those numbers mean...

not exactly a bag of gold so I take it i'll need to add to this mix?