sifting soil question?? help
- Thread starter Queeny420
- Start date
Stickystickyganja
Well-Known Member
I wouldnt mess with the roots. If the top of the soil is hard and need to be "Fluffed" up do so but dont disturb the root system.
Nullis
Moderator
If your soil structure isn't good, sifting isn't a solution that is going to help anything long term. The soil will just settle and compact itself again in no time.
You should add more organic matter to your soil (compost, earthworm castings, or a mulch layer). If you have really hard soil/clay you could add gypsum or greensand to help improve it long-term.
It's never really good to disturb roots, especially after intiating bloom.
You should add more organic matter to your soil (compost, earthworm castings, or a mulch layer). If you have really hard soil/clay you could add gypsum or greensand to help improve it long-term.
It's never really good to disturb roots, especially after intiating bloom.
You should get a new grow partner - or at least tell your's to get his head out of his ass and find out what he is talking about!
Queeny420
Active Member
He thinks it will make the roots grow down lol! I know he just killed my oldest too, we just transplanted her and she's in flowering and he caused root damage cuz he wanted to do it the quick way. I have patients and don't feel the need to play with my plants. I just like to look at them and smell them and now I'm gunna have to watch one die
I'm very sad. In other words yes I need a new partner or better yet no partner at all haha
Farmer's Hat
Well-Known Member
Roots are roots. Weather they are at the top of the soil, or deep in the soil, they are constantly up taking nutrients, and excreting exudates to maintain a healthy rhizosphere. The only time it is "beneficial" to damage a root system is if the plant has become root bound, and it is being transplanted. In this case, damaging the roots encourages the production of new healthy feeder roots.
I suggest you tell your partner to read a few plant biology books...
I suggest you tell your partner to read a few plant biology books...
Before topping off my 10gal. pots with more soil I rip/sift/aerate/loosen the top 3-4 inches in my pots... I can't tell if my plants notice shit- I can see no verifiable evidence of shock/stunt or F'n up after doing so....
But the addition of the new soil does help hold more moisture in the pots a Lil longer- which is a plus as I water daily, pretty much...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Rollitup mobile app
But the addition of the new soil does help hold more moisture in the pots a Lil longer- which is a plus as I water daily, pretty much...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Rollitup mobile app
Queeny420
Active Member
I understand that kinda (so more air can get through the soil or so water has somewhere to go and the soil isn't so compact) but he wants to sift the soil every other day which I think will bug the plants. Imagine someone picking at your feet all the damn time. And if you go deep enough (which he does) you do hit baby root systems. Now I'm no expert but man do I read a lot and I know for cannabis it is not ok to destroy any root structure or it can shock/kill the plant. This is why I'm asking because everything I've read has said not too. But I like to hear from people who actually grow and go through the experience themselves. So when you are moving your soil around and putting new soil on top do you ever see or disturb any baby root systems?
charface
Well-Known Member
Here is the thing mang.
I have no roots growing in the top few inches.
I add new soil there as needed.
I break that soil up constantly so water will make contact with all of the soil.
I loosen the soil down to where the roots start.
I use good soil so my hand is all that is required.
I have no roots growing in the top few inches.
I add new soil there as needed.
I break that soil up constantly so water will make contact with all of the soil.
I loosen the soil down to where the roots start.
I use good soil so my hand is all that is required.
Queeny420
Active Member
I agree that you should only use hands, I would be more comfortable with that cuz then you can feel what you're doing as oppose to that rake thing that he wants to use. I would do this on my adult plants but It's ok to add new soil all the time to younger plants? Won't that give nute burn or cause the stalk to rot? I really don't know much about this, which is why I'm asking so sorry if I sound stupid and clueless lol
charface
Well-Known Member
Good questions.
I top dress with new soil/worm castings or
other amendments as needed.
As long as you are using products suitable for the lifecycle the plant is in and you are only adding it when you should there is no issue.
I transplant just prior to flowering.
Breaking up the top layer like i said earlier.
once stretch is over and flowering is established I add more of whatever I need to the top and continue on.
Long story short I only add to the top a couple
times close to a month apart.
BUT
That is how I feed
your mileage may very
I top dress with new soil/worm castings or
other amendments as needed.
As long as you are using products suitable for the lifecycle the plant is in and you are only adding it when you should there is no issue.
I transplant just prior to flowering.
Breaking up the top layer like i said earlier.
once stretch is over and flowering is established I add more of whatever I need to the top and continue on.
Long story short I only add to the top a couple
times close to a month apart.
BUT
That is how I feed
your mileage may very