I had about 10 to 15 gallons of an organic mix (left over) 30%worm castings 60% espoma soil and10% flower tone/vermiculite left over in a tub...the cover of the tub leaked and made the mix a soup for a few weeks. I drained the water off. Are all the microbes dead from being under water for a few weeks? Just wondering if I should add some more bio material to reignite the micro herd?
Killed the micro herd?
- Thread starter 420dust
- Start date
I'm not sure but I don't think the water would kill the micros.I would add some more fresh mix with it that has micros in it and I would think it should be fine.
When you turn the mix over, does it stink?
It did have a stinky pungent odor.....
no oxygen for weeks? no good
the soil was in submerged in stagnant water for weeks?
just the worm castings alone would have released next to all nutrients for the most part at this level and ph can be a stability issue depending on how much locked up during the soaking
but most importantly all you really did was create a tea of sorts and teas need to be used w/in a day or two at best before it goes south even when bubbled depending on ingredients need to be used immediately for the most part
I would just say in the long run it isn't worth it (like 10-20 bucks worth of soil tops?)
we haven't talked about the possible pathogens introduced from original "leak" from lid
you can mix it w/ other soil but why when buffers could be destroyed?
it just isn't worth the possible price down the road to save a little when unsure
the soil was in submerged in stagnant water for weeks?
just the worm castings alone would have released next to all nutrients for the most part at this level and ph can be a stability issue depending on how much locked up during the soaking
but most importantly all you really did was create a tea of sorts and teas need to be used w/in a day or two at best before it goes south even when bubbled depending on ingredients need to be used immediately for the most part
I would just say in the long run it isn't worth it (like 10-20 bucks worth of soil tops?)
we haven't talked about the possible pathogens introduced from original "leak" from lid
you can mix it w/ other soil but why when buffers could be destroyed?
it just isn't worth the possible price down the road to save a little when unsure
Looks like the others beat me to it. Anaerobic I believe is the word for the state your soil mix is in. Do a quick google search and read up on it. Its very intersting stuff my friend
Are you wanting to save this soil?
If so, it needs aeration (oxygen). Mix it up a time or two over the course of the next few days, this will bring air into the mix . The air (oxygen) will allow aerobic bacteria to flourish again and the anaerobes will succumb. These are the ones that have been causing the stench and will continue to cause problems if this mix remains drenched.
Also, I would add an aeration amendment such as perlite, lava rock or pumice. The aeration percentage should be at least 20%. The Espoma soil is probably aerated but I would add some more.
If you are not wanting to save this soil then disregard the above ........
That is good to know... I wasn't sure about that. Once again, thanks for the input.
Just FYI, for those who are unfamiliar with it... The Epsoma mix (which I really like) has very little perlite for aeration. It could easy use quite a bit more.
As I have mentioned before, there is the Epsoma Organic "Potting Mix" and Epsoma Organic "Soil Mix"... JMHO, but if I'm using the "Potting Mix" I use perlite for aeration... If I was using the "Soil Mix", I would opt for sand... but, I have unlimited access to as much free sand as I could ever use.
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