re-using soil

[Sprite]

Howdy. I'm currently planning my next grow, and I'm wondering about re-using soil. Right now, I am growing in 5g buckets in a mix of 1/3 Scott's potting soil, 1/3 perlite, and 1/3 mushroom compost. I've been using Earth Juice Bloom, Hygrozyme, and molasses during flower.

For the next round, I am going to downsize to 3g containers. I wonder if I can re-use some of this soil mix? I know it would be sapped of nutes after the grow and flush, but that's why we add fertilizers, right?

I'm thinking of mixing up another small batch of the same stuff and filling each pot with half new, and half used. I plan to stick to the same nutes for feeding.

Thoughts and opinions on reusing soil, please. (But please, don't dog on my Scott's soil. Yeah, yeah, there's better stuff, I know, but I'm quite pleased with my results with this mixture.)

Thanks, ya'll.

[Dayzt1]

Man, I gotta say - I've had nothing but problems with re-using my soil, and my grows are mostly organic. I use molasses and AN Iguana Juice grow/bloom, and I've noticed that if I reuse the soil - even if I mixed it in with fresh soil - I get much lower yields and found that it's alot harder to keep the soil pH stable, giving problems like early yellow leaves and stunted growth etc... so I can't recommend it unfortunately. The soil I use is not real soil - it's the Premier HP Pro-mix soil-less stuff. Sometimes I mix in some worm-castings and a tad bit of my home-made compost but nothing fancy...but since I stopped reusing my soil, things have looked a lot greener and happier...just my 2 c. =)

[Ocotillo]

I would concur. IMHO, reusing soil would be penny wise and dollar foolish. (I'm not calling you foolish, please don't misunderstand) It would have to be amended with all sorts of guanos and things that I just don't see it.

Reuse old soil? Sure, I throw it outside on the veggies and flower beds. Great excuse for buying Pearlie and soil stuffs!


I've had nothing but problems with re-using my soil,

[WashougalWonder]

I would not unless thoroughly washing and sterilizing, much easier to go buy new.

[Sprite]

Allrighty, it's settled. I'll toss it on the veggie garden outside.

Next question: where the heck do you get square buckets? I'm wasting space with the round ones...

[Ocotillo]

I have only seen them at hydroponic stores (ironic, yes I know, since they are for soil!) and on-line at hydro/gardening stores, ebay etc.

I have noticed during early stages of seedling/clones growth and up through veg the square buckets are great to really pack them under the lamps. However, during flower you may need the space between plants so the expensive square buckets may be a moot point. An expensive moot point at that.


Next question: where the heck do you get square buckets? I'm wasting space with the round ones...

[canniwhatsis]

I have only seen them at hydroponic stores (ironic, yes I know, since they are for soil!) and on-line at hydro/gardening stores, ebay etc.

I have noticed during early stages of seedling/clones growth and up through veg the square buckets are great to really pack them under the lamps. However, during flower you may need the space between plants so the expensive square buckets may be a moot point. An expensive moot point at that.


Squares are hard to find, even at the Hydro stores! :wtf:

But I agree with Ocotillo, unless your planning a SOG style grow it doesn't matter round or square.

[Sprite]

Yeah, I think you guys are right now that I thought about it. I got some smaller round ones for the next show. Back breaking messing with the 5g buckets!

[LetsSeeYa]

Yeah, I think you guys are right now that I thought about it. I got some smaller round ones for the next show. Back breaking messing with the 5g buckets!

I have a link for square pots that are really cheep. He said like starting at .69 a pot and more as they get bigger, i think this was a liter. Try ''Tomsgrowshop.com'', i called em, he seems pretty cool and knowledable.



:rasta:

[Sprite]

Thanks. I may get square for vegging, and use round for flower.