Can i completely change soil?

[SnowViper]

The soil I have I bought before i was more serious about the grow and its some crappy schultz tropical mix with time release fertz. I was wondering is there a way to completely repot into new soil mix getting rid of as much of the old soil as possible (also any recommendations of what i should get would be cool but il be researching also) The soil is very mucky when watered much doesnt seem to drain so well and the time release fertz i hear will cause me trouble. The plant will not be rootbound yet so if i can do it i should do it soon i would think.

[Rabiez]

Originally Posted by SnowViper

I was wondering is there a way to completely repot into new soil mix getting rid of as much of the old soil as possible?

There is.

How old is the plant and what size is the pot?

//edit: Just realised that I already know the answers, follow up on its' way...

[Rabiez]

Usually you would water a plant half an hour before transplanting, which helps to keep the soil together when removed from the pot, and fills the plant up with water reserves incase you should damage some roots in the process.

To remove the soil from the roots, it's much easier if the soil is a little dry, so that's 'trade-off judgement call' number one.

Number two is that the more soil you remove from the rootball, the harder it is to replant without problems.

In your case I'd suggest leaving roughly a 3-4" (or more) rootball of the current soil, as your plant doesn't seem to be suffering for it.

Turn it out of the pot, and gently massage the soil until it starts falling away from the roots. You want the soil to crumble progressively from the outside in; if you're too rough or start taking or loosening large chunks of soil, roots will start snapping.

Once you get toward the centre of the rootball (a 3-4" ball in your case) the soil will likely be wetter and more compacted, and the root structure more dense.

Trim any thin dangling roots back to a manageable length with a clean pair of scissors, and re-pot in fresh soil, spreading the dangling roots through the soil as you fill up your pot.

Water it in really well, and stick it back in the box.

Job's a good'un.

To fully answer your question; removing all the soil from your (now 4"ish) rootball requires the delicate use of a teasing tool, such as a kitchen fork or skewer, and a bucket of water.

Gently slide it into the rootball (stopping at the slightest resistance) and give it a gentle wiggle to loosen the soil. Repeat this action a few times in different places, and then massage the ball gently again.

Once you've gone as far as you're comfortable with using your hands and tool, dunk the rootball into the bucket of water and give at a swoosh around to wash away more dirt, and use your tool and fingers to help it along.

Once all the soil is gone, rebuild the rootball by hand, filling all the little spaces with fresh soil, and spreading the thinner roots through it as you build. It's a time consuming and potentially frustrating activity, but easily possible at the age your plants are.

Do dat ansa ve kweschun?

[South Texas]

There is a book called "The Marijuana Growing guide book. I got part of it downloaded. One section has about 15 different soil combinations. The combination I chose is Vermiculite, per lite, organic compost, & organic potting soil. Once this combo is mixed, I make up my water solution. Starting with 5 gals of water, I add 5 Oz's of "Medina Hasta-Grow", 2 Oz's of Fish Emulation, 4 Tablespoons of pure sugarcane Molasses, & 1/2 cup of whole-ground cornmeal. The molasses feeds the micronutrients in the soil. The Medina product has micro-nutrients in it. The Fish product is a booster. The cornmeal adds nutrients & kills fungus. I also add Epson Salt, 1/2 teaspoon per gal of water. This adds minerals that is not found in normal soil additives. Add liquid to soil, mix & add until you can squeeze the soil in your hand, & just a little water comes out. Plant deep in 3 to 5 gal buckets w/ good drainage. As soon as the plant is planted, add a little more "juice" to assure the roots are exposed to the Juice. Use the juice every 4th watering process. Water when the pot becomes lite, or when you stick your finger into the soil up to the 2nd knuckle, and it's dry- (about 2 inches down), it's time to water. Completely FLUSH your soil about every 2 weeks, then reapply the juice. If you follow this recipe, your soil will be better at the end of the growing season than when first made up. Time release fert is a killer, like all chemically made growing shit. For the best, smoothest smoke, your soil needs to be alive with microorganisms, not a chemically created "Dead Zone".

Originally Posted by SnowViper

The soil I have I bought before i was more serious about the grow and its some crappy schultz tropical mix with time release fertz. I was wondering is there a way to completely repot into new soil mix getting rid of as much of the old soil as possible (also any recommendations of what i should get would be cool but il be researching also) The soil is very mucky when watered much doesnt seem to drain so well and the time release fertz i hear will cause me trouble. The plant will not be rootbound yet so if i can do it i should do it soon i would think.

[SnowViper]

Hey guys thanks alot both rabiez andsouth texas. I will be heading out today or tomorrow to get some new soil mix and nutrience (im using crap).