Roots very close to the surface

[LawnXweeds]

I went to add some worm castings as a topdress and I found roots very near the surface about 3/4 of the way to the edge of the pot. The ones I found so far are not huge but strong enough that when I dragged my finger through the dirt the root offered some resistance. They are so close that I am not able to work the castings in without fear of tearing up a bunch of roots. Is this normal?

Pot: 3gallon smart pot
medium: Purple Cow Indicanja (a sort of prebagged living soil)
Lights: Viparspectra V600
Age: sprouted on 12/7 but I have had A LOT of issues so they are the size of a ~5-6 week old plant I think.

 

[Grow So High]

I went to add some worm castings as a topdress and I found roots very near the surface about 3/4 of the way to the edge of the pot. The ones I found so far are not huge but strong enough that when I dragged my finger through the dirt the root offered some resistance. They are so close that I am not able to work the castings in without fear of tearing up a bunch of roots. Is this normal?

Pot: 3gallon smart pot
medium: Purple Cow Indicanja (a sort of prebagged living soil)
Lights: Viparspectra V600
Age: sprouted on 12/7 but I have had A LOT of issues so they are the size of a ~5-6 week old plant I think.

Assuming this plant was started off in a smaller pot and you transplanted it into a 3 gallon you probably just didn’t add enough soil to the top? Or are the roots growing upwards?

 

[LawnXweeds]

Assuming this plant was started off in a smaller pot and you transplanted it into a 3 gallon you probably just didn’t add enough soil to the top? Or are the roots growing upwards?

This is the only pot they've ever been in. HOWEVER! I had to replant them about a month ago because I initially planted them in straight compost because I did not know any better. That said, it is quite possible that I did not add enough soil. There is maybe 3" from the top of the soil to the top of the pot.

They are not growing upward, they appear to be growing laterally just extremely close to the surface. Like 1 or 2 centimeters.

 

[Aussieaceae]

I went to add some worm castings as a topdress and I found roots very near the surface about 3/4 of the way to the edge of the pot. The ones I found so far are not huge but strong enough that when I dragged my finger through the dirt the root offered some resistance. They are so close that I am not able to work the castings in without fear of tearing up a bunch of roots. Is this normal?

Pot: 3gallon smart pot
medium: Purple Cow Indicanja (a sort of prebagged living soil)
Lights: Viparspectra V600
Age: sprouted on 12/7 but I have had A LOT of issues so they are the size of a ~5-6 week old plant I think.

Normal in my case in the ground. Put a few inches of manure down and it's only a matter of time. before there are heaps of fine roots.
They're the feeder roots, it's a good thing, wouldn't worry.
Intead of roughing the surface up, why not cover the castings with a little mulch? It should accomplish the same thing.

 

[Grow So High]

This is the only pot they've ever been in. HOWEVER! I had to replant them about a month ago because I initially planted them in straight compost because I did not know any better. That said, it is quite possible that I did not add enough soil. There is maybe 3" from the top of the soil to the top of the pot.

They are not growing upward, they appear to be growing laterally just extremely close to the surface. Like 1 or 2 centimeters.

I would consider adding a little more soil to the top just to cover the roots, I had this happen once and the root that was showing eventually looked like it turned into a stem haha it went from white to green and was solid. No issues with that grow btw

 

[LawnXweeds]

Intead of roughing the surface up, why not cover the castings with a little mulch? It should accomplish the same thing.

I can do that. I just thought I was supposed to work it in a bit because I might also add some kelp meal.

 

[Aussieaceae]

I can do that. I just thought I was supposed to work it in a bit because I might also add some kelp meal.

Maybe spread the meal around first, then layer the castings and mulch the top?
That will aid in breaking the kelp down.

To me, those fine surface roots are going to be what's absorbing most of the nutrient from the top dressing. If anything it's beneficial having them there.
Though if you really wanted to, you could still rough it up a little. I doubt the plant would really miss a beat at all.

 

[LawnXweeds]

Maybe spread the meal around first, then layer the castings and mulch the top?
That will aid in breaking the kelp down.

To me, those fine surface roots are going to be what's absorbing most of the nutrient from the top dressing. If anything it's beneficial having them there.
Though if you really wanted to, you could still rough it up a little. I doubt the plant would really miss a beat at all.

You're absolutely right. it is extremely beneficial for me to have those roots so close to the top with easy access to the topdressing. Thanks!