Iv been using the EXACT same soil since the very first day I started growing and never changed. This soil has ALWAYS done me right never had a problem. So if my grandpa taught me right when he said (if it ain't broke dont fix it) then it shouldn't be the soil. I dont feel you should spend an arm and a leg on a bag of dirt when your going to put nutes in it anyway or I could be wrong I'm no expert. That's why I'm on here. I dont mean to be a smart ass but I just cant afford to spent that much money for the Fox Farm Ocean Forrest or Happy Frog, because I did once and I didn't see a single difference in that soil and my soil in the end results.
it's not what you done that might be different, its what they do. Commercial potting mixes are made of half digested wood chips, twigs sticks and other plant material from many sources including timber mills ag waste, landscaping companies and whatnot. The dont know the species of the tree limbs that go through the chipper, and it usually doesnt matter if they compost them right, but sometimes they dont. Your soil looks twiggy, theres big chunks of wood in it, and the color is off. This fairly screams improperly composted soil. Many plants (oak cedar juniper etc...) create acidic compounds in their leaves and branches to deter pests, and to toxify the soil under themselves so competing plants cannot grow well. If the soil company didnt compost the material from these plants properly, then they continue to break down into acids as designed, making your soil acidic.
you could use the same soil brand for 50 years, but if they fuck up, change their procedures, or bag up undigested material too early then youll get shit soil that may not work in your system. you dont have to spend an arm or leg, i sure as shit dont, and niether do the farmers who grow everything you eat. good soil is not disposable. even in pots. i re-use my potting soil every year by re-composting it. it goes right into the pile or onto the worm farm (depends how much plant material is in it) and next year its ready to grow more tomatoes, flowers, or whatever i put in the pots this year. a 50/50 mix of good quality home grown compost and ordinary backyard dirt will grow the living shit out of most plants with no additional nutrients over a whole plant lifecycle, or a year or two for perennials.. When im planting something that needs massive fertilizers or whatnot, bird lime (thanks chickens) and home brewed worm castings does the trick. On those occasions when i receive a sick plant in potting soil, acidosis is nearly always the problem if it's not overwatered. ive washed more sticks and twigs out of rootballs than i care to remember, and generally the plants do just fine once i get them in real dirt.
When shit goes sideways and youre doin things exactly the same as before, time to check your materials. I betcha this year's Old Faithful potting mix will look quite different from a unused sample of last years stuff. just remember potting mix isnt soil. its half digested compost with added fertilizers and "wetting agents" to make it look like soil, and work adequately. We aint here to grow Adequate dope! check your soil ph bro. and dont count on potting mix manufacturers to be on top of their game. make your own soil and youll be happy with the results, or know who to blame.
