Do I Need to Get New Soil?

[T.C. Bosby]

Alright, feel free to laugh. Two days ago I picked up my Ocean Forest soil. I plan on starting my grow Wed. Without even thinking about it I left the two bags of soil on my patio. Now that I'm thinking about I'm concerned that I just invited a bunch of pests into my soil.

In your opinion, should I just toss the bags and buy new soil?

 

[dabbindylan]

Have u had problems with pest before?

 

[T.C. Bosby]

Never really noticed any insect issues on my patio. Thankfully I have the bags sitting on some boxes and not directly on the floor.

In terms of grow, since this is my first, I've never dealt with pests.

 

[dabbindylan]

U say patio?? Raised patio or ground level concrete?? Was it in bag or container unopened??? Did it get wet?

 

[T.C. Bosby]

Patio is on the 2nd floor. Soil is still in the bag. It did not get wet, unless it absorbed some of the humidity in the air through the packaging.

 

[Olive Drab Green]

I'm sure you're fine, and if you're not, get insecticidal soap or the 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, and Mite control from Nature's Care.

 

[dabbindylan]

If ur worried pre treat ur soil in a rubbermaid with azamax...spray turn,spray turn...get dirt moist but not wet wait 2 weeks then use ur dirt man..mix ur fertilizer with ur azamax and myco or rhizo blast to make a supersoil.

 

[dabbindylan]

I also recommend "trilogy" for pest control

 

[Olive Drab Green]

If ur worried pre treat ur soil in a rubbermaid with azamax...spray turn,spray turn...get dirt moist but not wet wait 2 weeks then use ur dirt man..mix ur fertilizer with ur azamax and myco or rhizo blast to make a supersoil.

Use FFHF bat guano. That contains myco and humic acid. I have some I just got.

 

[dabbindylan]

Perfect..i recommend mixing some perlite to man ocean forest hold water for awile...inless u like watering every 7-9 days

 

[dabbindylan]

U can reuse ur supersoil also by adding hygrozyme and wormcastings bud. If u ever do get bugs or mold or mildew or disease..NEVER reuse that soil or anything from that grow cept maybe the pots if u washem good.

 

[hyroot]

fox farm comes with gnats already in there so you shouldn't worry about them being outside. The pests are already in the bag before it reached the store. Mix in a bunch of worm castings, compost and nematodes. That will get rid of them.

always reuse soil. Don't listen to that guy ^^^. I've only made 3 soil mixes in the last 5 years and still using all of them. just re-amend and add more castings each run

 

[dabbindylan]

Dont listen to me bro...if u get disease or pest BAD...get rid of the soil it will save u time and money in the end...or keep reusing ur problem? Sound logical??

 

[hyroot]

Dont listen to me bro...if u get disease or pest BAD...get rid of the soil it will save u time and money in the end...or keep reusing ur problem? Sound logical??

What you don't understand is all the microbes from worm castings and compost will get rid of the disease and make a healthy soil. Aloe drenches will also kill off any harmful pathogens. The pests are very easy to get rid of . Worm castings, compost, neem cake will get rid of most soil pests. Otherwise nematodes will do the job.

If you have highly contaminated soil,
like with heavy metals, salts, and chemicals you can grow bio accumulators. Sunflowers, hemp, comfrey, succulents, legumes, etc... They will phytoremediate the soil.

Sustainable and renewable

 

[Olive Drab Green]

Dont listen to me bro...if u get disease or pest BAD...get rid of the soil it will save u time and money in the end...or keep reusing ur problem? Sound logical??

Hyroot knows what he's talking about. I'd listen to him. Total triple triple OG.

 

[Evil-Mobo]

Arguing with @hyroot about soil is like telling Jesus you know how to make wine

 

[kmog33]

Arguing with @hyroot about soil is like telling Jesus you know how to make wine

Lol.

 

[dabbindylan]

Ok...yes u CAN always re-use your soil if ur willing to put in the time an effort but from a beginner stand point it better to refresh your medium when heavy issues occur.

 

[dabbindylan]

U may have advanced knowledge of how to recycle ur medium.but does the grower in question?..but even recycling comes at cost? Cost of time n money to ammend old soil or just start fresh. Everything has its postive and negatives it finding whats right for u.

 

[EarthBow]

Bags of soil can pick up pests anywhere... in the warehouse, at the hydro store, on your patio. You can't just throw it away because it MIGHT have a few bugs in it. Well, you can, but it would be kinda goofy.

Use it. If you develop a problem, learn how to deal with it if and when it manifests. You're new to the game, look at this as a good way to learn how to deal with something you will have to deal with sooner or later no matter what you do.

Pot is a weed, you don't have to baby it. Put some dirt in a pot, stick some seeds in there, turn on your lights, and let it do its thing. The best way to learn how to grow is to grow.