SOIL TOO COMPACT need help guys

extremist2sk

New Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #1

Hey guys my soil used to be really nice pretty airy/compact but now as time has progressed i cant even push my finger through it its like a rock? I need help please thanks

 

MasterHemp

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #2

mix in perlite with your soil next time, that helps..

 

bigv1976

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #3

You can scarify it with a fork.

 

skiweeds

Active Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #4

was also going to say perlite. i use grow bags and every once in a while before i water, i gently press all around the sides to loosen up the soil.

 

extremist2sk

New Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #5

i used 25% perlite..it wasnt compact till maybe 1 week ago. can these be rootbound signs also?

 

T

timeismoney1

New Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #6

well if you think its time to switch pots. just make sure to add perlite like others said. as for the rootball carefully get old soil off and uncurl the roots. EXCERISE CAUTION

 

A

autoflowa

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #7

MasterHemp said:

mix in perlite with your soil next time, that helps..

Click to expand...

Yup do about 50/50 mix works great

 

G

gobbly

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #8

perlite is awesome! I use 1/3 of it in my soil mix and never have had compaction issues. The roots seem to breath really well too, and it holds moisture well. The fork idea is pretty good, I used to use sand on top of the soil to combat gnats, and it would get like rock after a month or two of watering, I'd just stab it all over with a screwdriver anytime water didn't soak right in.

 

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2010

• #9

aerate it using a fork, a wire, a screwdriver...just be careful around the main stem so you don't damage roots too badly.

 

rocpilefsj

Misguided Angel

• Oct 10, 2010

• #10

A layer of perlite in the bottom of the pot before adding soil seems to help alot with drainage.