Putting old stems in the soil. Bad?

I sometimes find myself saving stems so I can put them I the soil of the plants I'm trying to grow but don't really know if this is a good idea. Should I or should I not?

Bad idea. Something needs to break down that plant matter (stems) you are putting into the soil. That something more often than not is something that will also harm or try and break down the living plant in that same soil. Typically you will see white flys, black flys, mold or other nasties doing this. Adding dead plant matter to your soil is just inviting problems.

I disagree. What you're doing is basically composting, although it will take longer without other types of material such as egg shells, melon rinds, leaves, regular old dirt, etc. Composting takes a while so I'm sure the stems you put in there don't exactly break down quickly, but I don't see it as a bad thing at all unless the stems are loaded with pesticides or other "unnatural" things. Some of my best grows came from using compost from my yard and that compost consisted of years worth of grass clippings, leaves, ash from my woodburner, melon pieces, egg shells, etc. Composting is never a bad thing regardless of how large or minimal the amount.

^^^^ yeap. If you have insect problems with your grow I wouldn't use it directly in a container but compost pile is fine. I use wheat hulls in my soil mix, compost, bird of paradise stems chopped up. It is rare to introduce harmful bacteria if you take your time and inspect your additives. Decomposition is done by the good micro herds in your soil.

I grow in all mixed org soil, and always just throw my yellow fans and shit I pull in the top of the buckets, and never have a problem with white flies or anything indoors... I do also let lady bugs live in my grow as well, which I think may be the reason I don't see any other living things in there, like I have before, many moons ago.... I did have a small whitefly outbreak during my last veg, after I had mixed new soil, but I'm sure I had brought the flies in with the soil then, but the lady bugs sure have earned their rent... I dont have fly one, and don't haveta use neem oil/water foliar sprays anymore during veg time either... Id imagine theres a shit ton of different environs on here though, so itz probly different for everyone... I can't speak enough on how awesome a nice healthy, living soil is to grow with, though...

GanjaGod420000 said:

I grow in all mixed org soil, and always just throw my yellow fans and shit I pull in the top of the buckets, and never have a problem with white flies or anything indoors... I do also let lady bugs live in my grow as well, which I think may be the reason I don't see any other living things in there, like I have before, many moons ago.... I did have a small whitefly outbreak during my last veg, after I had mixed new soil, but I'm sure I had brought the flies in with the soil then, but the lady bugs sure have earned their rent... I dont have fly one, and don't haveta use neem oil/water foliar sprays anymore during veg time either... Id imagine theres a shit ton of different environs on here though, so itz probly different for everyone... I can't speak enough on how awesome a nice healthy, living soil is to grow with, though...

Click to expand...

What do you mean by LIVING SOIL?

Living soil is soil which is alive with micro beasties, worms and other things found in nature. Growing in containers work when trying to duplicate great outdoors. It is learning how to build the soil up with organic matter that and will breakdown over the course of the growing feeding the micro herd which in turns feeds the plant by making nutes available to the root system.
There are many ways to achieve this but having a compost pile is certainly a key part of this process. Basically you are trying to achieve a micro eco system. Reusing soil, adding it back to the compost pile will add in this as the soil ages, breaks down and allowed to rest will bring outstanding results to your grow. Is it a little more work in the beginning? yes it is but the benefits are less work during the grow, healthier plants, less problems with bugs and a richer tasting final product (when dried and cured properly). I hope this helps some, it really is a great process to learn and will give you a better understanding how plants work with nature.

Thank you canefan... Couldn't have put it better myself... I got lil centipedez and all sorts of active healthy life in mine... Feed your soil, and your soil will feed your plants, and in turnm our plants will feed us(our heads anywayz)...

Now I'd like to start an outdoor organic op. Lol what are the basic compounds in live organic soil? I know I can get a bunch out earth worms by my pond... I don't know what other things would be good for it. Advice would be appreciated!

WcoastTokin said:

Now I'd like to start an outdoor organic op. Lol what are the basic compounds in live organic soil? I know I can get a bunch out earth worms by my pond... I don't know what other things would be good for it. Advice would be appreciated!

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Organic matter is the main source. Get a small pale and put in all your kitchen scraps from your veggies, coffee grounds, no meat, no grease most other things are fine. If you want to do it right and don't mind a little work in a city you can have more compost than you can imagine for free. It is just about collecting grass clippings, leaves, and such.
Google the topic and get a basic understanding, spending an hour or two reading will give you many questions and thoughts. After that if you are still interested PM me and I will be glad to help however I can.
Cane