You Need Improve The Soil In Potted Plants!
By adding fresh potting soil to a container’s soil, you can improve the soil as well. You may make it better by adding compost to boost the organic matter content. You can also add vermiculite to help it retain moisture. A slow-release organic fertilizer can be added to the potting soil to improve it. The most critical ingredient for growing amazing snake plants in containers is potting soil. However, when the snake plants take nutrients, several nutrients may be depleted after a growing season. You must enhance the potting soil before reusing it. These steps can help you revive your old potting soil.
Remove Unwated Things
The first step to improve the soil is to remove any dead plant matter from the previous potting soil. You can remove old roots, stems, sticks, and other undesired detritus by pulling them out. You should also remove any weeds that have grown in the potting soil. If you don’t pull them out with their roots, they can start growing again. You can pull these materials out with your hands. Digging for old roots, stems, and weeds with a trowel is easier and faster.
Aerate The Potting Soil
Let’s fix the next issue now to improve the soil, you’ve removed the undesired items from the soil. Because the old potting soil had been used for a while, the pressure may have compacted it. This implies there is less space between soil particles, making it difficult for air and moisture to circulate freely. As a result, you’ll need to aerate and enhance the texture of the old potting soil.
Pro Tip
The best method to achieve this is to dig into the potting soil using a trowel or a fork. You might use a rake or shovel if you have a large container. If you have a wheelbarrow, you can conduct this process by overturning or shifting the potting soil to it. This is made easier to improve the soil because you have a lot more room to deal with the potting soil.
Remove Pests And Diseases
During the growing season, your snake plant may have been afflicted with pests or illnesses. Alternatively, you may simply want to be safe before recycling the dirt. This diseased potting soil should not be used without first sterilizing it to kill any lingering bugs or pathogens. The simplest method to improve the soil is to place the potting soil in a black garbage bag and place it in direct sunshine for several weeks. All pests and illnesses in the soil will be killed by the heat. Placing the potting soil on a baking tray and roasting it for an hour at 120 degrees would be a faster method. Pests and diseases in the soil will be killed as a result of this.
Here’s The Deal
The disadvantage is that the heat will destroy any beneficial organisms or insects that are present in the soil. You can return the potting soil to the container once it has cooled. Before you do this, make sure the container is also sterilized. Place the container in a larger container or tub filled with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water to disinfect it. Allow an hour for the container to soak in the solution. The container should then be rinsed with clean water and dried in the sun. After everything has dried, you can fill it with sterilized potting soil.
Remove Excess Salts
When growing plants, you can maintain adding organic fertilizer to the potting soil. The salts in the soil accumulate over time. There will be an accumulation of such salts in the potting soil if you use harsh tap water. You should remove any extra salt from the potting soil before reusing it. Giving the potting soil several good waterings is the simplest way to improve the soil. Soak the potting soil in water with a watering can or hose until it flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom. To get all of the extra salts out of the potting soil, repeat the watering process 3-4 times.