Reusing not-quite-used soil?

[krazycure]

So, I just killed off 5 plants in 1.5 gallon pots after they sexed unfavorably. It's nice rich mix, the plants only grew about 15 days in them when they were pulled. What's the skinny on using these 7.5 gallons of soil again? Do I have to be really careful about pulling all the old dead root matter out? If I use something like hygrozyme, will that just take care of it? Is there a time limit on using it again (as in do I need to use it soon?).... Just wondering, never done it before but thinking about it.

 

[shroomyshroom]

We always use our old soil... no point throwing it away... unless you have money tree stashed away some where... i just mix a 50/50 new with used... works very well...

 

[lowrdr]

once all the root matter starts to break down it will release lots of nitrogen into your soil. a nice organic mix!

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

It's true that the root matter is organic, but no plant likes it's own species' dead roots, that's what crop rotation is about. I try to get the old roots out with a sifter. Works best when they're fresh and just moist, not too wet.

 

[geopolitical]

I agree with green genes. It's better to get freshly dead material out. Organic is great, but you need to give it time to break down to be usable. Rotting plant material actually CONSUMES nitrogen as it initially breaks down.

 

[lowrdr]

ok in that case take out the root matter unless its already broken down

 

[shroomyshroom]

i thought it would have been a given to take out the roots..

its super easy to do once the soil is dry.... just fold some chicken wire over a bucket and break and crush the used soil over the chicken wire....the soil will fall into the bucket and roots will sit on top of the chicken wire

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

It won't break down on it's own. If you just leave the pot there, it gets real dry and crumbly. Don't let it get too dry because it will keep breaking smaller and fall through the sifter.

A container crop rotation method I used years ago was to turn the old cannabis rootball upside down in the pot, put it in the backyard and plant wheat berries. The wheat grows a nice lawn which you can either chop for wheatgrass to juice, or compost. Leave the wheat roots in and plant cannabis. I didn't try 'nitro' alfalfa but I'd like to.

 

[lowrdr]

i pull out the main root system and any large clumps but i leave the smaller straggly bits in there. i see it as it gives nutrients once its broken down, not had any problems so far