suougibma
08-19-2008, 12:21 PM
I have reused my soil for 3 year next month. I have not noticed any decrease in growth/yield (I have but it has gone down and up while I was testing fertz, it is currently reaching a higher yield than I have seen with the House & Garden line).
When I bought the soil (3 years ago) I added Tarantula, Piranha and Voodoo Juice to get beneficial micro biology going.
My soil is ALIVE! If fertilizers are right on I get massive mushrooms popping out everywhere and since using House & Garden the mushrooms have gotten bigger. The mushrooms are a good indicator of pH balance and over fertilization indicator.
I've never had root rot; in fact the root systems are very extensive and robust.
I run fresh soil every once in awhile to compare the two and notice no difference in growth/yield.
Things I do to my soil prior to re-use. First I flush like crazy (bringing ppm below 100). The soil is so wet it is like soup. I hand stir the soup and remove the largest of the roots (leaving anything that doesn't come out in a lump). I add a slew of nutrients (high in nitrogen to counteract an P/K from final flowering induction) and let it sit until dry enough to plant the next set.
I find that the microbial life adds VFAs/VOCs and dramatically increases flavor over new, dead soil. Granted if you get bad microbes growing they will damage the roots.
Anyone have thoughts on this? I know it is highly debated but I swear by it; besides, to replace all my soil every crop would cost me $300 and several hours of work :mad:.
When I bought the soil (3 years ago) I added Tarantula, Piranha and Voodoo Juice to get beneficial micro biology going.
My soil is ALIVE! If fertilizers are right on I get massive mushrooms popping out everywhere and since using House & Garden the mushrooms have gotten bigger. The mushrooms are a good indicator of pH balance and over fertilization indicator.
I've never had root rot; in fact the root systems are very extensive and robust.
I run fresh soil every once in awhile to compare the two and notice no difference in growth/yield.
Things I do to my soil prior to re-use. First I flush like crazy (bringing ppm below 100). The soil is so wet it is like soup. I hand stir the soup and remove the largest of the roots (leaving anything that doesn't come out in a lump). I add a slew of nutrients (high in nitrogen to counteract an P/K from final flowering induction) and let it sit until dry enough to plant the next set.
I find that the microbial life adds VFAs/VOCs and dramatically increases flavor over new, dead soil. Granted if you get bad microbes growing they will damage the roots.
Anyone have thoughts on this? I know it is highly debated but I swear by it; besides, to replace all my soil every crop would cost me $300 and several hours of work :mad:.