Topping with half WC / half supersoil drainage problem

[Endur0xX]

I made a mixture of about 50% worm castings 50% supersoil (+ about 3 Tbsp of neem cake), I put about 3/4 inch to top dress then watered my plant. When I was watering my plants, the water would site like 10 minutes before it would actually go down, did I use too much worm castings? I am worry that it will be hard to tell whether or not my soil is dry enough to water. Any input here would be greatly appreciated! thanks

 

[elduece]

Even 30 percent castings is too much. I wouldn't go past 10% or 25lbs for the full recipe because of it's water retention and its slow release nature(wasteful).

 

[Wetdog]

Even 30 percent castings is too much. I wouldn't go past 10% or 25lbs for the full recipe because of it's water retention and its slow release nature(wasteful).

^^^^^^WORD^^^^^^

EWC won't burn, but too much WILL turn your mix into sludge, as you noticed.

Wet

 

[Endur0xX]

well now it's already on it! is it going to create problems? Should I scoop some of it out? or in time it will get better? thanks

 

[Wolverine97]

If you only top dressed it, just scoop it out. Problem solved.

 

[Wetdog]

Top dress???

Scoop it out if you can and remix with more SS to ~15% or so?

It won't get better any time soon, drainage wise, as is.

Wet

 

[Endur0xX]

I will see how it goes, I am just worry that the bottom dries out (I sort of made air pot with landscape fabric) while the tops looks really wet still... I don't want my plants to get thirsty!

 

[Wetdog]

If you only top dressed it, just scoop it out. Problem solved.

Damn!!!!!

Now, you're doing it to me! LOL

Wet

 

[ylem]

mix in a bag of sand or perlite as deep into the top dressing as you can. i'd guess thats about all you can do for now. if it's a really big problem, dig a little ditch around the base of each plant and raise the soil around the stem to help drain water away from the root ball. apart from that, just don't water very often and you'll be okay.

 

[Endur0xX]

ok I will scoop some of it out, ... I didnt really want to do this because I don't have much room to do my thing and I made a big mess top dressing them last night... now I have to scoop it out and put the soil in again, double mess!! hehe. Its really tight in my room with the screen and everything.

In some ways though the fact that the water was pooling on the top of the container for a while might have help the neem cake to be evenly spread on my soil.

 

[Endur0xX]

Damn!!!!!

Now, you're doing it to me! LOL

Wet

lol I keep getting reply before I submit my message!

thanks for your help guys... I think I will just try mixin more promix in the top dressing with my fingers.

EDIT: by the way my plants are looking really nice!! I am about 15 days into flowering!!