Lightening soil post plant

[Moots]

Hey all, the young plant I recently took over care for, Looks fine, and seems healthy. Growth isn't super slow, but it does seem a tad on the slow side, although 2 roots recently poked out of the top of the soil?

I am worried my friend used potting mix from the store. I am worried it is too dense, and is really packed at the bottom of the container.

It may need to be transplanted, but can i use lighter soil to back fill when i transplant?

And is there any way to lighten the current soil mixture at all?

 

[pinecone]

It may need to be transplanted, but can i use lighter soil to back fill when i transplant?

I typically transplant cannabis plants into somewhat larger pots every 2-3 weeks - so in 6 weeks I'm working plants from cups to a 4 gallon pots. If you have a plant that has been in the same pot for 2+ weeks there is a good chance that it could benefit from a transplant. The other big indicator would be water usage. If you are going from nearly saturated to droop in 2 days in soil, the plant could benefit from a transplant.

You may use a lighter mix to fill in when you transplant without any concern.

And is there any way to lighten the current soil mixture at all?

Short of transplanting and filling in with a lighter mix - no. I suppose you could break the root ball up but would cause more harm than good IMO.

Pine

 

[Moots]

Thanks man! Again! You've been super helpful, and I appreciate that.

 

[SirTOKESalot]

Hey man you can add small stones to the mix, vermiculite, bloodblone meal, biochar, so on and so on to brake it up more, I add a handfull of small stones, vermiculite and a little bit of BIOCHAR. My roots love the mix.

But yeah, You should always IMO add extra vermiculite to soil mix. I have never just used potting soil.

P.S just scruff the ROOTBALLwith your finger tips, so a bit of the soil comes off, it is good for the roots too befor you transplant. You dont need to be tuff with the roots by anymeans go easy. You will be fine.

 

[LetsSeeYa]

I learned the hard way, but i always use perlite. Its helped drainage and i am not worrying about watering. The medium always distributes the moisture well throughout the container for me...................



LSY