need clarification on cooking your soil

G

Guest

• Nov 15, 2006

• #1

For some reason I always run into problems when I try to ammend my soil , But I realize most reccomend wetting your soil and letting it sit for a couple of weeks, The one time I did it I had fungus growing all over the soil, is this good or bad? Would letting the soil cook longer save me from having problems later, like nute lock out?

 

Suby

**AWD** Aficianado

Veteran

• Nov 15, 2006

• #2

Cooking or composting is simply the act of getting the initial heat phase of composting over and done with.
When you initially compost a mix it gives off some heat as the microherd breeds and colonizes the ammended mix.
Composting is key to organics because it balances the mix out, it makes sure there is balanced microherd adn that some elements are already available to the plant.
If you use dolomite it will give it time to dissolve some and help buffer the ph throughout the grow and in the initial stage.
The longer you compost the more soil elements are consumed and processed by the herd and eventually it will limit out so longer is not necessarily better with ammended soil, if you recycling that would be another story.

2-3 weeks of composting should be optimal, make sure you have a source of beneficial bacteria like castings or compost in the mix to act a sampling of bacteria.

Fungus may be a sign of high RH but if it is indeed a fungus an actively composting soil mix the BB should outcompete the harmfull bacteria or fungus, remember to turn the soil with a stick or shovel every 2-3 days to aerate the mix.

Suby

 

Dignan

The Soapmaker!

Veteran

• Nov 15, 2006

• #3

Like Suby said, just be sure that the humidity in the area isn't too high... and do not cover the soil (i.e. mixing in a rubbermaid bin and letting it sit with the lid on).

 

G

Guest

• Nov 18, 2006

• #4

Thanks for clairafing that for me suby.

 

D

dopamine

New member

• Nov 18, 2006

• #5

If its just green or white mold, that develops because of the high moisture and low airflow. The bacteria in the soil will eat it after a week or so. I have never seen it after 3 weeks of "cooking."

 

V

vonforne

• Nov 18, 2006

• #6

I have found the N guanos will do this. Just turn the soil DAILY when this happens and like dopamine says the benefical bacteria will take care of the problem as the soil stabilizes. This is one of the main reasons for the cooking of the soil prior to planting any of our valued plants. If you was to just mix and plant.....then you would run into the problem with you plants in the mixture. Thus effecting the growth of the plant.

 

Dignan

The Soapmaker!

Veteran

• Nov 18, 2006

• #7

Von-

What do you think about the idea that turning the soil drastically reduces the microbial pops in the soil? I've read that often (and yet see many people like yourself turning the soil and growing great weed regardless).

Dig

 

V

vonforne

• Nov 18, 2006

• #8

Dignan said:

Von-

What do you think about the idea that turning the soil drastically reduces the microbial pops in the soil? I've read that often (and yet see many people like yourself turning the soil and growing great weed regardless).

Dig

Click to expand...

Soil needs the oxygen for the microherd. It is one of the key elements in the growth cycle of all living things. Air, water, food, decomposition ect. one of the main reasons I turn the soil. Another is to prevent the settling of the moisture to the bottom of the mix which we all know what this will cause. I also add a microbal tea again(mid way through the cooking cycle) to feed the microherd. If you do not feed them and care for the microherd then yes the overall count will be less. I never just mix and forget. I feed and care for them so they will feed and care for my plants when the time comes.

Now, mixing the soil daily allows me to get a hands on, if you will, of the overall soil texture I'm looking for. I also take the time to handle the soil. What I mean by this is that I "roll" the soil in my hands like I'm praying. It allows me to thourghly mix all the admendments together. No clumping in my dirt.

I guess after all that my answer would be just "No".



I have good results from this method. If it works don't fix it.

 

G

Ganico

Active member

Veteran

• Dec 3, 2006

• #9

What about a sheet or something as a cover? Wouldn't fungus gnats etc be more prone to end up in your soil if you just leave it sitting out in the open air?

 

kush07

Member

• Dec 3, 2006

• #10

No, fungus gnats shouldn't be a problem. When soil is allowed to properly compost the interior temperatures reach in excesses of 100+. More than enought to kill any harmful viruses, bacteria, or pest that would do harm to your precious plants. Turning the soil also helps keep insect larvae from fully developing.

Happy Toking

 

Suby

**AWD** Aficianado

Veteran

• Dec 3, 2006

• #11

hey G,

light kills some forms of bacteria so I usually keep a lid on loosely to allow air circulation.
Also keep it in a cool place, this will help keep dissolved oxygen higher.

S

 

G

Ganico

Active member

Veteran

• Dec 4, 2006

• #12

But see, is "cooking" your soil really composting though? I didn't think "cooking" your soil and composting was the same thing. So I could just take some used soil, add 1 tbs per gal of lime and maybe some nutes like blood/bone meal etc, mix it up,and wet it and in 3 weeks it'll be composted? What about with just plain soil and lime? I still don't get it, honestly.

And fungus gnats come in droves here, I really can't see leaving it open and not getting a massive plague of fungus gnats within the first week of cooking.