How to loosen compacted soil?

[Shaggy78]

Can I use a digging tool to aerate my soil? Or will it rip my roots and kill my plant

 

[Canada_420]

Perlite is the best option. I wouldnt be digging up the soil if theres already a plant in it. It will rip up your roots. Best to transplant into a lighter mix. Imo, if you're in flower just leave it be and know for next time

 

[quirk]

Medina Soil Activator Plus

 

[Canada_420]

Medina Soil Activator Plus

Thats a fert. Hows that going to loosen soil?

 

[quirk]

Thats a fert. Hows that going to loosen soil?

Not a fertilizer per se, though it contains micronutrient that activate microbial activity in compacted soil releasing polysaccharides which loosen and balance soil structure and pH allowing more oxygen and water to penetrate.

 

[cannabineer]

Using a spike if some sort improves aeration and does least root damage.

 

[jadedintrovert]

Using a spike if some sort improves aeration and does least root damage.

I do this. I haven't seen any adverse damage, but plenty of improvement but I only aerate around the perimeter of plant staying away from base.

 

[f.r]

If you are referring to growing in the ground, broadforking if you have a big enough fork can often allow air and water to penetrate soil better without disturbing the various layers of soil too much.

 

[Shaggy78]

If you are referring to growing in the ground, broadforking if you have a big enough fork can often allow air and water to penetrate soil better without disturbing the various layers of soil too much.

im sorry. No. Indoor

 

[f.r]

im sorry. No. Indoor

All good my bad, I often see soil used interchangeably with potting mix and the ground in the cannabis world, here in Aus they generally refer to two seperate things, one being soil mineral based other being organic based.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Using a spike if some sort improves aeration and does least root damage.

I do this. I haven't seen any adverse damage, but plenty of improvement but I only aerate around the perimeter of plant staying away from base.

And I know for a fact that @hotrodharley agrees with this. Personally, I use a coat hanger; and make sure to hit the root ball too. It breaks up all of that compacted soil. It works good. I have seen nothing negative happen by doing it.....

 

[bk78]

Use a chopstick and get all stabby

 

[cannabineer]

Use a chopstick and get all stabby

I would use something girthier. But now we’re on the edge of personal disclosure.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

If you are in manageable pots? Just let dry and extra day or half day. Sqeeze between your thighs as you rotate it. No root damage. May even excite a Can plant. LOL.

 

[Aussieaceae]

im sorry. No. Indoor

Just my 2 cents worth here...if you plan on reusing the soil it'd be worth fluffing it out a bit. Brown organic material is best. Maybe just silty.
If you've been using a lot of ferts, it may be salt aiding compaction. Amending the soil with gypsum, as well as brown organic material for next use will help it imo.
Undoubtedly you still want perlite etc.
Indoorsies would have a better idea than I for brown material to use, without much composting. Likely some kind of peat.
Adding some extra drainage in the bottoms of your pots and watering until waste runoff, helps in preventing compaction too, if you didn't add some.

All the best. Cheers.

 

[hotrodharley]

And I know for a fact that @hotrodharley agrees with this. Personally, I use a coat hanger; and make sure to hit the root ball too. It breaks up all of that compacted soil. It works good. I have seen nothing negative happen by doing it.....

I do agree. I routinely skewer the hell out of my medium. One of the benefits of hydro is delivering oxygen to the roots. This is a fair try.

 

[Medskunk]

Skewering for instant air pockets and bat guano to loosen the soil. With the guano the more you scratch it on top the more you ll loosen it up.

 

[Shaggy78]

I do agree. I routinely skewer the hell out of my medium. One of the benefits of hydro is delivering oxygen to the roots. This is a fair try.

How long before I should see my plants perk back up

 

[Shaggy78]

And I know for a fact that @hotrodharley agrees with this. Personally, I use a coat hanger; and make sure to hit the root ball too. It breaks up all of that compacted soil. It works good. I have seen nothing negative happen by doing it.....

How long do you think it'll take before I see my plants perk back up

 

[hotrodharley]

How long before I should see my plants perk back up

No idea. You’re the one there. Don’t overwater. That’s key. But I promise running something through the roots repeatedly will not harm the plants.