No, I dont belive the old soil was used, but did sit outside in a bucket for prob about 2 years.
My Big Bloom is about 2 years old too
Planned to start my first grow 2 years ago, but someone told on me i think, so I put it up for a while.
The seedlings were planted, after germination, around 4-08.
Transplanted them on the 19 into the new soil/perlite mix.
I fed them about twice prior to transplanting, with the big bloom.
I think Im also having ph issues.
Rain Water, Distilled Water, and Tap Water all red the minimum 6.2 on the test strips.
I have ordered a digital ph meter, and TDS meter... Should arrive Wednesday.
Moved all 8 plants back into the solo cups. Only seen the worm in one of them.
Broke several roots pulling them from the large 3gal pots ...
Found a few of the broken roots in the soil and checked them out.
When bent, and released they returned to their position.
Easy To Break, but could hear and feel a snap, so i dont think they are water logged.
As for mites, I dont know. I dont see anything on the plants them selves, but have seen a few tiny flying insects.