Calcium Based Organics 101 : The basics of growing in the Gnosis Mix
Welcome to the foundation of regenerative, calcium-rich cultivation. Whether you're a seasoned grower or a soil-curious beginner, this guide will walk you through the basics of growing in the Gnosis Mix—a premium organic soil system brought to you by Soil Sorcery.
What Is the Gnosis Mix?
The Gnosis Mix Nutrient Kit is a complete, biologically active organic soil amendment system designed around the principle that calcium is king. Formulated with a focus on microbial synergy, nutrient cycling, and mineral balance, it is not just a fertilizer—it’s an ecosystem.
This kit includes:
Steamed Bone Meal, Bone Meal, Fishbone Meal - A rich source of calcium and blend of fast and slow release NPK to support healthy plant growth.
Feather and Non-GMO Soybean Meal - Slow release protein based nitrogen that is gentle on your plants and will not burn them
Earth Worm Castings - Rich in nutrients, beneficial microbes, and beneficial microorganisms, castings are an excellent source of nourishment for plants and improving soil health.
Black Soldier Fly Frass - High in chitin, BSF frass induces your plants natural defense mechanisms against pest vectors by triggering increases in cell wall thickness and fortifies overall plant structure.
Langbeinite (K-MAG) - This naturally mined crystalline mineral supplies the water-soluble sulfate form of three vital plant nutrients: potassium, magnesium and sulfurs.
Kelp, Alfalfa, and Greensand – for water retention, trace minerals, growth hormones, and biological food.
Calcium Carbonate (limestone blend) – for long-term calcium release and pH stabilization.
Proprietary Herb and Spice Blend - A unique blend that supports soil health and provides secondary nutrient sources for the microbes in the blend
16 Powerful Natural Enzymes – for chelation and increased nutrient uptake these powerful digestive enzymes breakdown nutrients quickly and efficiently into simpler forms that plants can ingest. Ditch the bottled enzymes we have added them into the mix!
25+ Species of Beneficial Bacteria + Endo and Ecto Mycorrhizal Fungi – loaded with beneficial microbes and fungi to kickstart life in your soil
The Science: Why Calcium Matters
Most growers focus heavily on NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), but what often gets overlooked is calcium, the structural backbone of the plant world. Here’s why it matters:
Cell Wall Formation: Calcium provides strength and rigidity to plant cells.
Nutrient Flow: It plays a critical role in regulating nutrient uptake and transport.
Microbial Health: A calcium-rich soil supports beneficial microbes that drive nutrient cycling and disease resistance.
In the Gnosis Mix, calcium isn’t just added—it’s activated through a symphony of minerals, microbes, and organic matter, creating a living soil that grows stronger over time.
How to Get Started
Using the Gnosis Mix is easy and highly scalable, whether you’re filling a raised bed or prepping a few containers. Here’s how:
Start with Clean, Base Soil: Use high-quality organic soil with good sandy loam texture and drainage. We recommend using a PH pen and EC meter to do a slurry test on your base soil to check for nutrient levels and ph balance as a starting point for amending. A good base soil should have an EC of around .15-.45 (100-300ppm)
Add the Gnosis Mix Kit: Blend the nutrient kit into your soil at the recommended rates. Your goal is to create a mix that slurry tests at around.70-.85 (500-600ppm) with a ph reading of 6.7-7.2 (Yes we run a little higher in PH to make calcium uptake more available. while this may be different from what your used to it is necessary to bind the calcium to the macros for uptake.)
Plant & Water: Once your soil is ready, plant directly into it and water with clean, dechlorinated water. No bottled nutrients needed. No need to wait for the soil to "cook" it is safe to plant into immediately after amending.
Master The Wet/Dry Cycle - In the Calcium Based Organics system its is VITAL that you allow your soil mix to dry out completely between waterings - even going as far as watching for the leaves to start to droop slightly before watering again after the initial few irrigation cycles. As you build your highly mineralized soil you will notice that you need less and less water as the greensand in the kit absorbs and holds water in the soil mix for extended periods of time. Assuming that your climate is on point indoors you should not need to water most plants more than once every 5-7 days unless they are very large on over half way through flower. The goal is to water fully just not often allowing the mix to dry completely in between.
Soil Slurry Test and Top Dress As Needed : For those new to the system we recommend running a weekly soil slurry test on a couple of random pots to see what the EC is and determine when top dressing is needed. If the EC in the top layers of soil falls below .45 (300ppm) you will want to raise it back up into the .70-.85 (500-600ppm) range by top dressing with the recommended 2-3 tbsp per gallon of soil mix, The goal is to maintain an EC of .70-.85 (500-600ppm) at all times with the ph in 6.7-7.2 range but don't get caught up on these numbers. The system is gentle and very forgiving and will not burn plants even if the application rate is a bit high. The system self-buffers and requires nothing from you but water and top dressings as needed. Once you are familiar with the system you will only need to run slurries when you suspect something is out of balance or need to correct a problem.
Tips for Success
Don’t Overwater: Living soils thrive with oxygen. Allow for wet-dry cycles.
Use Compost Teas: Boost microbial populations with weekly or bi-weekly aerated compost teas.
Mulch Everything: Mulch feeds the topsoil, suppresses weeds, and retains moisture.
Rotate & Companion Plant: Biodiversity in the garden supports long-term soil health.
No-Till Forever: Avoid tilling the soil. Let the microbes do the work of aeration and structure.
What sets Soil Sorcery apart is a philosophy of integration—fusing regenerative agriculture, biodynamic insights, and cutting-edge soil science. The Gnosis Mix is crafted to mimic nature’s own system, with a deep respect for the alchemical relationship between earth, air, water, and life.
You’re not just growing plants. You’re cultivating a living soil matrix, a foundation that gets better with every season.