Could we use again the planting pot mix one after another season or we need to buy new one every time?

Question

As my potting mix is dry and is showing lots of white sponge, cotton textured in it . I don't know what it is ? Please advice
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

If it looks like white cottony threads may be either bacteria or fungus but in either case this is OK. Nutrient-cycling bacteria and other beneficial soil organisms are necessary for garden plants to thrive.

You just need to re-fertilize the soil.
I Recommend Life Link All-Purpose Plant Food (5-5-5) for container gardening.
Ingredients: Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Feather Meal, Sulfate of potash, Dried Poultry Waste, and Kelp Meal.

During the growing season plants fix carbon dioxide by photosynthesis into carbohydrates and oxygen. Some 10-25% of this fixed carbon finds its way back to the soil through the roots, as carbohydrate exudates. This exudate feeds the soil’s bacteria and fungi that in turn digests detritus, supplying essential nutrients the plants cannot make for themselves. Soil microorganisms are the essential link between plants and the soil’s mineral reserves. The microorganisms creates humus that structures the soil to support plant populations. This is a symbiosis where plants capture energy from the sun to feed themselves and exchange excess food for select nutrients and water retentive, humus rich soil.
Soil will have 37 oz/100 sq ft actinomycetes the same in bacteria and twice that in fungi. The fungi ideally will the the same mass in the soil as the roots, or more, in the top 7 inches.

Answer 2

There are fertilizers and pH buffers in better grades of potting soils and the plants use these up as they grow. Potting mix also has differing sizes of particles that allow for aeration and percolation of water..

You can use it again, but your results won't be as good for year two unless you can replace the things that the plants used last year.

The spongy stuff.. little pieces?? probably perlite or styrofoam beads that are added to help the soil drain.. it's a normal thing in potting soil.

If you use it over, be sure that you dump it out of the pot and break up the root mass from last year's plants..

If you can afford to, buy new, good quality potting soil.. it's going to be much easier for you..

Answer 3

Hello. They white spongy material in your potting soil is called mica and it is used to lighten up the mixture and make it more porous, so that water drains well.

As per your question on whether you can use your potting soil again, it is usually recommended not to when starting new seeds or plants, unless you can sterilize it. However you can use old potting mix to repot established plants or add to your soil. There is too much risk of damping off or other bacteria or fungus with seedlings.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have an infection of cobweb mold going on. I'd dump it just to be safe and to avoid cross contamination of your plants.

If you just have a "little bit" of it, you can put some hydrogen peroxide (h2o2) in a spray bottle with some water at a ratio of 5:1 or so water to peroxide and give it a squirt. It will be strong enough to kill the mold but not enough to harm your plants -- **IF** you only have a little bit of it forming in the pot.

Answer 5

I do re-pot every spring with new potting soil, because plant in the pot uses up all the good stuff in the potting mix. The root might need to cut short again to prevent root bound, and the plant might need a bigger pot. I think it's a good thing to change potting soil to refresh it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Until I read the rest of your question, I was going to say you could use it. However, I think it may be mold, so throw it out and get a new bag. Make sure to keep the air out when you store it.

Answer 8

I would dump it and buy new. Its cheap at Walmart. it sounds like you have a fungus growing in it...Also the white cotton looking stuff might be pollen Do you have a Cottonwood Tree close by?

Answer 9

I dont see why not, my grandma uses the same mix for three years and they still look beautiful

Answer 10

compost it
especially if you think you have a mold or fungus
like stated by others it's pretty cheap