A Question on my "super" soil

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

So while my soil is far from a true super soil, its a pretty good mix of fertalizers such as agricolas high octane mix, 2 types of local compost, perlite, bumber crop soil builder, and this potting soil mixture http://coastofmaine.com/product/stonington/, that i only now see is formulated for cannabis! Wow...

Anyways, my soil is a good bit too heavy, it compacts easily and soaks up water almost as easily as it retains it (almost like mud) so im pretty sure it essentially is coming down to too high a ratio of compost-type ingredients to normal soil mediums, such as peat.

What im wondering is what should i add to balance it out? Pro-Mix? if so what kind? Pure peat? Coco? general, unamended potting soil? What?

Thanks!

 

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

Oh, and also, my soils mixture is between 7 and 7.5 ph so anything I can add to bring that down without throwing something else off?

 

[Indacouch]

Oh, and also, my soils mixture is between 7 and 7.5 ph so anything I can add to bring that down without throwing something else off?

You could start with a bag of perlite. I like to add lots of perlite to my soils. I noticed over the years a soil that doesn't drain well and is heavy....seems to stunt the plants due to the fact they take forever to dry out. I'm a firm believer in the plants liking that little dry period between waterings.... I like a very light fluffy soil...The only downside to that is they dry out a bit quicker, so I have to water more often...but it's better than soggy poor draining soil with no oxygen for roots....As far as your ph question...How did you measure or come up with this number? I personally just add powdered lime to my new or recycled soil and never adjust PH or have issue.....GL

 

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

You could start with a bag of perlite. I like to add lots of perlite to my soils. I noticed over the years a soil that doesn't drain well and is heavy....seems to stunt the plants due to the fact they take forever to dry out. I'm a firm believer in the plants liking that little dry period between waterings.... I like a very light fluffy soil...The only downside to that is they dry out a bit quicker, so I have to water more often...but it's better than soggy poor draining soil with no oxygen for roots....As far as your ph question...How did you measure or come up with this number? I personally just add powdered lime to my new or recycled soil and never adjust PH or have issue.....GL

Theres almost an entire bag of perlite in there already, and a little vermiculite. I may add more even, but I know for a fact I need to add more normal soil to my mix. Be it coco or peat

And ph from an electronic probe.

 

[natureboygrower]

Theres almost an entire bag of perlite in there already, and a little vermiculite. I may add more even, but I know for a fact I need to add more normal soil to my mix. Be it coco or peat

And ph from an electronic probe.

how much soil did you make up and how much perlite did you put in? i buy 2cuft bags of perlite.a good rule of thumb is 33% compost 33% peat 33% perlite(or whatever form of aeration you choose) you can go up to 50% perlite ive read as well.inda wasnt steering you wrong.more peat or coco is not going to lighten it

 

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

how much soil did you make up and how much perlite did you put in? i buy 2cuft bags of perlite.a good rule of thumb is 33% compost 33% peat 33% perlite(or whatever form of aeration you choose) you can go up to 50% perlite ive read as well.inda,wasnt steering you wrong.more peat or coco is not going to lighten it

There's about 5 cubic feet total. And ill definitely be adding the rest of the perlite I have, but 33% peat, I'm definately way below that
Thanks!

 

[natureboygrower]

There's about 5 cubic feet total. And ill definitely be adding the rest of the perlite I have, but 33% peat, I'm definately way below that
Thanks!

if you dont have enough peat and your soil is heavy now,i would add the rest of your perlite and more! peat holds water

 

[whitebb2727]

So while my soil is far from a true super soil, its a pretty good mix of fertalizers such as agricolas high octane mix, 2 types of local compost, perlite, bumber crop soil builder, and this potting soil mixture http://coastofmaine.com/product/stonington/, that i only now see is formulated for cannabis! Wow...

Anyways, my soil is a good bit too heavy, it compacts easily and soaks up water almost as easily as it retains it (almost like mud) so im pretty sure it essentially is coming down to too high a ratio of compost-type ingredients to normal soil mediums, such as peat.

What im wondering is what should i add to balance it out? Pro-Mix? if so what kind? Pure peat? Coco? general, unamended potting soil? What?

Thanks!

Its not the compost. I've grown in straight compost.

Promix would work. Sand. Anything loam.

Look for humus if you can find it.

 

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

if you dont have enough peat and your soil is heavy now,i would add the rest of your perlite and more! peat holds water

What are your thoughts on vermiculite?

 

[natureboygrower]

What are your thoughts on vermiculite?

ive never used it.perlite works for me

 

[whitebb2727]

if you dont have enough peat and your soil is heavy now,i would add the rest of your perlite and more! peat holds water

Peat doesn't hold water. Not for long anyways. I'm using it outdoors and it dries faster that most stuff I use.

Probably depends on the peat.

It actually dries to the point of becoming hydrophobic.

 

[Hydropponic_Happiness]

Peat doesn't hold water. Not for long anyways. I'm using it outdoors and it dries faster that most stuff I use.

Probably depends on the peat.

It actually dries to the point of becoming hydrophobic.

So maybe the rest of my bag of perlite and a bag of peat?

 

[natureboygrower]

Peat doesn't hold water. Not for long anyways. I'm using it outdoors and it dries faster that most stuff I use.

Probably depends on the peat.

It actually dries to the point of becoming hydrophobic.

do you think more peat will help?

 

[Johnei]

Oh, and also, my soils mixture is between 7 and 7.5 ph so anything I can add to bring that down without throwing something else off?

So maybe the rest of my bag of perlite and a bag of peat?

For your information, straight peat is acidic, this may help balance down your alkaline soil pH.
Peat can also help to 'fluff up' a soil.
Yes, more perlite and some peat, 2 problem birds with one stone.
and a sprinkle of dolomite lime powder wouldn't hurt either.

 

[natureboygrower]

So maybe the rest of my bag of perlite and a bag of peat?

not knowing what you originally started with,id be hesitant to answer that.peat can hold up to 15x its weight in moistire,so if you overwater once,this could be problematic.im an outdoor guy myself,whitebb has way more experience with indoor mixes.once you plant your plant though,it will be hard to lighten up your soil.

 

[whitebb2727]

not knowing what you originally started with,id be hesitant to answer that.peat can hold up to 15x its weight in moistire,so if you overwater once,this could be problematic.im an outdoor guy myself,whitebb has way more experience with indoor mixes.once you plant your plant though,it will be hard to lighten up your soil.

Holding water is not bad. Compacting is the problem.

As long as the mix doesn't compact and drains well it can hold water.

I use peat as a base. I use 1/3 each of peat, compost and worm castings then cut with perlite.

 

[natureboygrower]

Holding water is not bad. Compacting is the problem.

As long as the mix doesn't compact and drains well it can hold water.

I use peat as a base. I use 1/3 each of peat, compost and worm castings then cut with perlite.

pretty much the same here,except mine is happy frog soil conditioner(peat based ,ewc in it),compost,perlite.i hear you on peat being hydrophobic,it is a bitch to make it hold water straight out of the bales.after much work ive mixed bales of peat with water and covered seeded lawns to hold in moisture.i just thought adding something that may hold moisture,to a mix already heavy, may be bad juju

 

[whitebb2727]

pretty much the same here,except mine is happy frog soil conditioner(peat based ,ewc in it),compost,perlite.i hear you on peat being hydrophobic,it is a bitch to make it hold water straight out of the bales.after much work ive mixed bales of peat with water and covered seeded lawns to hold in moisture.i just thought adding something that may hold moisture,to a mix already heavy, may be bad juju

Use a drop of soap in you water to break water tension and the peat will take water easier.

 

[whitebb2727]

Oh, and also, my soils mixture is between 7 and 7.5 ph so anything I can add to bring that down without throwing something else off?

I wouldn't worry too much. Soil ph swings as it dries.

When organic matter breaks down it creates ions that buffer ph.

Add a bit of lime and you will be ok.

 

[Indacouch]

Theres almost an entire bag of perlite in there already, and a little vermiculite. I may add more even, but I know for a fact I need to add more normal soil to my mix. Be it coco or peat

And ph from an electronic probe.

As everyone has already said PH in soil will swing naturally as well as buffer....I couldn't give you a perfect ratio for perlite....I've just done it so damn long I go by feel....but I can tell you a new bag of FFOF or even Roots Organic 707 doesn't have enough perlite for my taste .....I add more to both those ....not saying you can't grow good plants in those soils as is ....But perlite is so cheap and it's easy on the back to carry and mix LOL ....nice airy/fluffy soil is what I like ....I'd say more perlite and some lime and your headed in the rite direction ....can't speak about the peat personally ....GL