Crappy Soil ... Need Input ....

I'm on a tight budget so I bought some of that $.96 bags of potting soil at Walmart, well it's too damn sandy and packs down pretty good even though I added perlite.

I'm concerned about the roots not getting enough air because the dirt is packed so tight. What I have been doing is using a water meter to loosen the soil.

My question is how often can I do that without damaging the roots .... or am I damaging the roots?

I've gotten another soil that doesn't pack, and don't plan on getting anymore of that can of soil from Walmart .... but in the meantime can I loosen the soil as I have (every other day after watering) or am I doing more harm than good?

Thanks:rastasmoke:
:noel:

I would say that you shouldnt be doing that if you already have a big root system. You are most assuredly damaging the roots if you are jabbing a sharp object down there repeatedly. :(

Get better soil. Transplant. Smoke. :D

Good luck, girl.

:rastasmoke: RastafarI

The Fog (TGF)

Well,what you're doing is a lot like aerating a lawn- I think that you're probabley doing just a wee little bit more good than harm. I'd blow the money and get some decent media, take some cuttings, and start over- I think that you're looking at disease problems sometime in the mid-near future. Either being 02 starved and over-wet causing probs, or repeated physical damage to the roots opening things up for infection.

Second choice- carefully remove the rootball, rinse ( in a bucket, not running water) what will come off easily, and repot in decent media. Use some superthrive if you've got it.

when the soil is completely dry squeeze the pot all around a few times and the dirt loosens right up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by invision

when the soil is completely dry squeeze the pot all around a few times and the dirt loosens right up.

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Yeah that's sounds good. These plants are on the flower level now .... I don't want to mess that up with a transplant and they are far too big and nice to disgard and start over .... once they are done that soil will be put in a compost pile for outdoor use.

I was able to get better soil so I won't have that problem in the future, just have to deal with what I have now.

Thanks for posting all.:rastasmoke:

:noel:

I have some walmart soil in 1 gal containers that have 2 foot plants in them. They look just as good as the ones in my custom mix soil. You do have to airrate them, i use a wooden skewer stick. I mixed it with the sand you buy at walmart for 1.00.

Just don't skimp on the fertilizer....but yes, they will grow.

Oh I'm not having any problems with the plants that are in that soil .... I was just concerned about the roots getting enough air that's all .... preventive maintainance so to speak ....

You can tell by the pics I put up that all the plants are doing well .... I just don't like having to air the soil every other day.

Thanks:rastasmoke: