This video is interesting. In another one of your videos you say that it's important to 'tamp' down the soil to prevent excess air around fine roots (which would cause them to dry out). How do you get the balance between having excessively fluffy soil and overly compacted soil?
I love this! Yes i use a plastic fork or spoon 🥄 to stab holes in the hard compacted soil. Then i fill those holes with perlite then water. Clay soil is notorious for having dry spots. It helps to squeeze the pot as a whole to loosen the soil and breath the roots
It's so much easier to do the right or best thing, and continue with best practice, when we know HOW and WHY we should. Science has the answers. You bring those answers to us. Thanks Ashley!!!
This was super awesome. I'm new around here and I have only seen 5-10 ish videos; disregard if you've already addressed this. I would love a breakdown of soil amendments for houseplants! Your approach and presentation really butter my toast. Merci beaucoup madam!
I am a new plant parent. I received a living plant arrangement that had five tropical plants, but the anthurium got root rot and died. I've repotted everyone else, and put them in tropical potting mix, but now the soil is pulling away from the edges of the pots. What do I do? I just repotted them a month ago, I don't want to tease any roots or squeeze them, in case that will shock them. Thanks! I love your friendly, helpful tone .. and your 'helpers' :-)
When my soil does get really compacted I use a bucket of water to loosen the soil. This usually happens in the summer for some of my pots. I get a bucket of water so that the pot is at least an inch/2.54cm below the water line. By doing this, you will see all the trapped air in the pot escaping in the form of bubbles and that will relax the soil. Once the air bubbles stop coming out of the pot and soil, let it drain real good and the soil is back to normal. Great for people who do not have the other soils to use for a repot.
@@richardvillanueva559 Once all the air bubbles are out of the soil. I place the pot on the ground and let the water drain out and then let the soil dry out about halfway down before watering. I use a flat toothpick to see the moisture level of the soil. Let the toothpick in the soil for a couple minutes before pulling it out. You can then get an idea of how the soil moisture is. Hope this helps.
This is way better than repotting a large plant in an even larger pot, as well and I guess a good stopgap if you want to put it off. Really interested in that giant bag of soil amendments, I'll be on the lookout for that now! Thanks, Ashley 💚 Edit: Checked the video again, it's 'Jocelyn's Soil Booster'.
I made the unfortunate mistake of potting all of my peppers and tomatoes in 10-15 Gal grow bags (20 total): Organic Choice Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix. Despite me adding perlite and pine bark mulch for aeration, every single one of my plants in stunted fighting a host of pests and every time it rains the soil stays so wet and compact for at least 4 days. I really don’t know if I should repot and start with new soil or take the same soil and add 30% more Pumice/Perlite. Just seems like repotting will hold the plants back even more and idk how to even go about repotting with 10-15 gal sizes : ( Please help! Anyone.
I have an aloe vera plant that I rescued from the office. It is literally a brown stalk with dead leaves until the very tip where a small bit of greenery is. It has tried so hard I want to keep it, but I would like to get rid of the huge stalk and plant just the green part in a new pot. I bet that isn't possible - right? I would hate to throw it away. I have had it for years now - not knowing how to fix it. It keeps on trying to live.
My wife has compacting problems so I told her to just take a stick or similar and stab the dirt deep till loose. It does rip off some roots but the plants seem to just take off right after.
A good combo that I use also is 50/50 mix of sifted perlite and Flourite substrate (for fish tanks). Very good drainage and the Flourite lasts, doesn't get mushy. I have in a couple tanks for 3 years already and good. Great for bonsai also. Sun Gro also has an excellent cactus soil mix with great draining. Product of Canada that my nursery sells here in the states. If you can get the small lava rock (about 1/4 or .0635cm) and perlite and coir and mix to a one to one ratio, it is also a good soil to make for oneself. Just some thoughts.
I have a Jade plant that the soil got very compacted especially around the roots. Causing the plant to drop. I have been soaking root ball for about 30 minutes with no real lossening of the soil. Any suggestions?
Another fab video thank u 👍👍. Can I pls ask ur advise on how best keep over these winter months 2 x insulin plant rhizome costus igneus rhizomes I just received . Till the warmer months . Thank u 😊
Hi, how much of the liquid should we add to houseplant soil? Do you use it just instead of water? Can you theoretically add too much to them? Also, in your article you have a point on 'activating' the culture with sugar. Is this step necessary? Other people only mentioned doing this if you want to grow the culture. Can I just add it to soil without the sugar? Many thanks! Brilliant posts. You should have more of a following.
I've been seeing hydrogel polymer beads available, not just as the water beads for vases, but as something to add to the soil in pots or in the garden. Is this something you are familiar with? Do they actually help?
It was so lovely seeing your video this week and the bonus, beside the content of your video, was seeing your winged pal on your head. What a precious gift. What is your bird's name?
@@GardeningInCanada It is obvious that Ella is a loved member of your family and enjoys all the plants and a place to sit during your video making. Thank you for all that you share and for giving us a glimpse of your precious winged family member.
Ashley you read my mind! Really helpful advice ❤. Q; I used some compost on seedlings that completed dried out but it has dried solid like a rock. Can I save my seedlings? Is it a case of just hydrating again? Never had compost so hard when dry
Ashley, I'm really struggling with root rot. I moved from a hot climate where I never had to deal with that. From the end of summer (September) till now I've poted down at least 3 times because I couldn't gage the plant's water usage with my current soil's water retention capacity. I've tried re-growing some of the monstera roots in water, they rooted fine but when potted they rotted.(I think I potted way too soon, but I'm also striving for faster growth and heard that growing it in water is slow and it's harder to transplant to soil afterwards) Also tried growing roots In a moss pole but the new growth soon rotted. I think my mistake was wrapping the roots in plastic like I've seen others do. Why other people's plants roots wrapped in plastic won't rot as well? Maybe the cold and low light make it so the plant can't outgrow the bacteria? I tried placing in purely damp perlite and it rotted the new growth as well. For the far future repot, and for other healthier plants I have, I want to give them the best aeration possible since I'm an recovering overwater-er. Other plant influencers recommend: clear pot, coco chips, bark, perlite, leca, charcoal, vermiculite. You also recommend lime? All that adds up to over 100$. That's not even factoring in a humidity provider (like a cabinet or tent) and grow lights. It's a lot! Could I save money somewhere?
@@lindam9018 yep, I let it dry out, the plant even start to sag... I water it very economically but the next day I start to see rot. New root growth also rotted in moist perlite overnight, another plant placed within a less moist perlite sagged and started to dry out. I placed both in water and they started to recover. So far I've only been able to root them in water, but they are big monsteras, Ashley and others have said big aroid plants won't grow bigger without a pole and proper soil... and I strive for mature plants 😔 People wrap moss around stems to promote root growth before propagating, that's what I tried. But I think my mistake was how damp the moss was. I belive it should be lightly misted, and then wrapped around with enough air in the wrapping as well. It has been a struggle, but at least I think I'm progressing with my plant care :)
@@cmleite Oh, you're talking about mid-stem trying to start roots so you can cut the plant and pot it. I don't know how you are getting something that rots overnight from being healthy the day before.
@@lindam9018 my monsteras new growth keep rotting, but that's because I kept changing the growing medium and making mistakes. I will leave them alone now that I tried everything else 😕 Hopefully once the root system is long and I have a very chunky aerated media, they will endure the transplant. I do not want to grow in hydroponics 😔
I kill every orchid. I tried watching videos for hours, and still kill then each time. Any simple breakdown. Also generally how often do you fork plants, do you do your own organic feed from your food, banana etc, do you use h2o2, anything for ants infestation eating roots, do you use coffee grinds, do I get 12 inch and 8 and 6 and group them together or only 2 of them, or only two 12 inch same color or large and small white and medium gray
Snake plants prefer to be root bound and drier in small pots. Until the pot is busting apart I don't transplant. By the way those are the best ones to buy bc nurseries think they're undesirable with cracked sides so they'll be discounted. In reality it's the optimum ones to buy, split up, and have 2. But snake plants are the only plant that I know of that does best under these conditions.
Have you ever had compacted potting soil?
This video is interesting. In another one of your videos you say that it's important to 'tamp' down the soil to prevent excess air around fine roots (which would cause them to dry out). How do you get the balance between having excessively fluffy soil and overly compacted soil?
I love how you are surrounded by animals (and plants) as you do this. It looks so busy and full of life in a good way!
I love the number of 'supervisors' you had when recording this video. Pets are so much fun!
I love this! Yes i use a plastic fork or spoon 🥄 to stab holes in the hard compacted soil. Then i fill those holes with perlite then water. Clay soil is notorious for having dry spots. It helps to squeeze the pot as a whole to loosen the soil and breath the roots
It's so much easier to do the right or best thing, and continue with best practice, when we know HOW and WHY we should. Science has the answers. You bring those answers to us. Thanks Ashley!!!
This was super awesome. I'm new around here and I have only seen 5-10 ish videos; disregard if you've already addressed this. I would love a breakdown of soil amendments for houseplants! Your approach and presentation really butter my toast. Merci beaucoup madam!
I have some really old versions but I can definitely do updates
I am a new plant parent. I received a living plant arrangement that had five tropical plants, but the anthurium got root rot and died. I've repotted everyone else, and put them in tropical potting mix, but now the soil is pulling away from the edges of the pots. What do I do? I just repotted them a month ago, I don't want to tease any roots or squeeze them, in case that will shock them. Thanks! I love your friendly, helpful tone .. and your 'helpers' :-)
When my soil does get really compacted I use a bucket of water to loosen the soil. This usually happens in the summer for some of my pots. I get a bucket of water so that the pot is at least an inch/2.54cm below the water line. By doing this, you will see all the trapped air in the pot escaping in the form of bubbles and that will relax the soil. Once the air bubbles stop coming out of the pot and soil, let it drain real good and the soil is back to normal. Great for people who do not have the other soils to use for a repot.
Do you then dry back to dry or moist?
@@richardvillanueva559 Once all the air bubbles are out of the soil. I place the pot on the ground and let the water drain out and then let the soil dry out about halfway down before watering. I use a flat toothpick to see the moisture level of the soil. Let the toothpick in the soil for a couple minutes before pulling it out. You can then get an idea of how the soil moisture is. Hope this helps.
Thank you for this video gave me so much information for my “tomatoes” 😁
A lot of good information fast. Exceptional video
Glad you found it helpful!
This is way better than repotting a large plant in an even larger pot, as well and I guess a good stopgap if you want to put it off. Really interested in that giant bag of soil amendments, I'll be on the lookout for that now! Thanks, Ashley 💚
Edit: Checked the video again, it's 'Jocelyn's Soil Booster'.
I made the unfortunate mistake of potting all of my peppers and tomatoes in 10-15 Gal grow bags (20 total): Organic Choice Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix. Despite me adding perlite and pine bark mulch for aeration, every single one of my plants in stunted fighting a host of pests and every time it rains the soil stays so wet and compact for at least 4 days.
I really don’t know if I should repot and start with new soil or take the same soil and add 30% more Pumice/Perlite. Just seems like repotting will hold the plants back even more and idk how to even go about repotting with 10-15 gal sizes : (
Please help! Anyone.
Can u make videos on “ soil benefits of Neem Seed Meal” and “ water amendments? “ how to make your own Beneficial microbes” for potted plants
I have an aloe vera plant that I rescued from the office. It is literally a brown stalk with dead leaves until the very tip where a small bit of greenery is. It has tried so hard I want to keep it, but I would like to get rid of the huge stalk and plant just the green part in a new pot. I bet that isn't possible - right? I would hate to throw it away. I have had it for years now - not knowing how to fix it. It keeps on trying to live.
My wife has compacting problems so I told her to just take a stick or similar and stab the dirt deep till loose. It does rip off some roots but the plants seem to just take off right after.
It definitely will! Lots more air
A good combo that I use also is 50/50 mix of sifted perlite and Flourite substrate (for fish tanks). Very good drainage and the Flourite lasts, doesn't get mushy. I have in a couple tanks for 3 years already and good. Great for bonsai also. Sun Gro also has an excellent cactus soil mix with great draining. Product of Canada that my nursery sells here in the states. If you can get the small lava rock (about 1/4 or .0635cm) and perlite and coir and mix to a one to one ratio, it is also a good soil to make for oneself. Just some thoughts.
I have a Jade plant that the soil got very compacted especially around the roots. Causing the plant to drop. I have been soaking root ball for about 30 minutes with no real lossening of the soil. Any suggestions?
Another fab video thank u 👍👍. Can I pls ask ur advise on how best keep over these winter months 2 x insulin plant rhizome costus igneus rhizomes I just received . Till the warmer months . Thank u 😊
Hi, how much of the liquid should we add to houseplant soil? Do you use it just instead of water? Can you theoretically add too much to them?
Also, in your article you have a point on 'activating' the culture with sugar. Is this step necessary? Other people only mentioned doing this if you want to grow the culture. Can I just add it to soil without the sugar? Many thanks! Brilliant posts. You should have more of a following.
I've been seeing hydrogel polymer beads available, not just as the water beads for vases, but as something to add to the soil in pots or in the garden. Is this something you are familiar with? Do they actually help?
Interesting! I wonder how plants would access the water or if it’s just a place holder
It was so lovely seeing your video this week and the bonus, beside the content of your video, was seeing your winged pal on your head. What a precious gift. What is your bird's name?
Ella! I have had her for 15 years now
@@GardeningInCanada It is obvious that Ella is a loved member of your family and enjoys all the plants and a place to sit during your video making. Thank you for all that you share and for giving us a glimpse of your precious winged family member.
Ashley you read my mind! Really helpful advice ❤. Q; I used some compost on seedlings that completed dried out but it has dried solid like a rock. Can I save my seedlings? Is it a case of just hydrating again? Never had compost so hard when dry
Yup! I can do a video on rehydrating old material
@@GardeningInCanada thank you 🙏
Wow this is great! Thanks 🙏🏼 also please introduce your friends👍🏼👍🏼☺️
Haha that’s Miss Ella
Do people water with buffers to stabilize the ph of the substrate?
Would top dressing with perlite help prevent fungus gnats? Is there a better top dressing to prevent them?
Thanks..great info!
Anytime!
I might be the only person who has killed 2 peace lily plants. I can't get one to grow. First one I think I watered too much. Second one I don't know
How about a video about transplanting and saving knotted up rootbound plant
Sorry, Ella had my attention; what were you saying?
Good stuff and thank you!
Ashley, I'm really struggling with root rot. I moved from a hot climate where I never had to deal with that. From the end of summer (September) till now I've poted down at least 3 times because I couldn't gage the plant's water usage with my current soil's water retention capacity.
I've tried re-growing some of the monstera roots in water, they rooted fine but when potted they rotted.(I think I potted way too soon, but I'm also striving for faster growth and heard that growing it in water is slow and it's harder to transplant to soil afterwards)
Also tried growing roots In a moss pole but the new growth soon rotted. I think my mistake was wrapping the roots in plastic like I've seen others do. Why other people's plants roots wrapped in plastic won't rot as well? Maybe the cold and low light make it so the plant can't outgrow the bacteria?
I tried placing in purely damp perlite and it rotted the new growth as well.
For the far future repot, and for other healthier plants I have, I want to give them the best aeration possible since I'm an recovering overwater-er.
Other plant influencers recommend: clear pot, coco chips, bark, perlite, leca, charcoal, vermiculite. You also recommend lime? All that adds up to over 100$. That's not even factoring in a humidity provider (like a cabinet or tent) and grow lights. It's a lot!
Could I save money somewhere?
Hi, I'm just wondering, do you let the soil dry out or mostly dry out between watering? I have never heard of anyone wrapping roots in plastic??
@@lindam9018 yep, I let it dry out, the plant even start to sag... I water it very economically but the next day I start to see rot. New root growth also rotted in moist perlite overnight, another plant placed within a less moist perlite sagged and started to dry out. I placed both in water and they started to recover.
So far I've only been able to root them in water, but they are big monsteras, Ashley and others have said big aroid plants won't grow bigger without a pole and proper soil... and I strive for mature plants 😔
People wrap moss around stems to promote root growth before propagating, that's what I tried. But I think my mistake was how damp the moss was. I belive it should be lightly misted, and then wrapped around with enough air in the wrapping as well.
It has been a struggle, but at least I think I'm progressing with my plant care :)
@@cmleite Oh, you're talking about mid-stem trying to start roots so you can cut the plant and pot it. I don't know how you are getting something that rots overnight from being healthy the day before.
@@lindam9018 my monsteras new growth keep rotting, but that's because I kept changing the growing medium and making mistakes. I will leave them alone now that I tried everything else 😕
Hopefully once the root system is long and I have a very chunky aerated media, they will endure the transplant. I do not want to grow in hydroponics 😔
@@cmleite Sounds like a good idea! Good luck! :)
Can i use a layer of sand over tops of my potted indoor plants? Is that safe?
I thought top dressing was using a substance that is NOT potting soil, as the top layer. But you use soil? I'm confused, help!
Compost or manure actually
I did not know that compaction was a thing in potted plants. I thought my plants had used up all the nutrients in the soil.
It’s all from gravity unfortunately out we can solve it.
I kill every orchid. I tried watching videos for hours, and still kill then each time. Any simple breakdown. Also generally how often do you fork plants, do you do your own organic feed from your food, banana etc, do you use h2o2, anything for ants infestation eating roots, do you use coffee grinds, do I get 12 inch and 8 and 6 and group them together or only 2 of them, or only two 12 inch same color or large and small white and medium gray
Planters size grouping I mean… esthetics and preference
💚💚
Needs a bigger pot
But that plant wants to spread its wings and fly 😮 Why keep it caged up in such a smothering container? That’s bonkers
Snake plants prefer to be root bound and drier in small pots. Until the pot is busting apart I don't transplant. By the way those are the best ones to buy bc nurseries think they're undesirable with cracked sides so they'll be discounted. In reality it's the optimum ones to buy, split up, and have 2. But snake plants are the only plant that I know of that does best under these conditions.
🦜🐕💖
Houseplant care for the lazy plant parent 😅
Exactly!