First what size is the pot? and if you can go a little bigger and just fit it in there. I like to build up gradually so as to grow veg and not more roots. I do wonder about the soil because I at first was having major problems with miracle grow moisture control, it already has nutes in it and it holds the water, I was not used to that and I now have mastered it. But it did take time. It almost cost me a grow, but I finally got it under control. If you really want to get rid of that soil around the roots I would try to get some off but you can't mess with the roots too much, it will shock and take a few days to pull out of it. I talked to the MG people about their nutes because of flushing and they said it is 90 soil, so no matter how much I wash it out the nutes are still there, I;m wondering how can that be? I hope I helped a little.