Soil question

[Hoodiegod]

I bought some soil about 3months ago from lowes and for some reason when I try to water my plants it doesn't seem like the soil is getting wet matter of fact I know it's not getting wet because until transplanted them they were always drooping the day after I watered them and I'm not over watering them so does anyone know what might have caused this problem?

 

[FastFreddi]

Do you mean the soil has become hydro phobic...as in it repels the water?
FF

 

[Holodaze]

It's surface tension more than likely. Using a yucca extract helps Break that tension. Try using a pump sprayer and saturating the top layer slowly.. this should break that tension, allowing you to water slowly.

 

[Hoodiegod]

Do you mean the soil has become hydro phobic...as in it repels the water?
FF

Yes the water just goes down the side of the pot like there's oil in top of the soil or something and the soil never gets wet, I have new soil now but I was just wondering should I throw that away

 

[FastFreddi]

Yes the water just goes down the side of the pot like there's oil in top of the soil or something and the soil never gets wet, I have new soil now but I was just wondering should I throw that away

See above, as well as you can scratch the soil up first by fingers, or add non scented dish soap, a few drops per gallon, not the antibacterial type.
Hope this helps.
FF

 

[Holodaze]

Do you mean the soil has become hydro phobic...as in it repels the water?
FF

Perfect... I didn't see that... how do you like comments. Sorry for the sidetrack.. new to the forum

 

[Hoodiegod]

It's surface tension more than likely. Using a yucca extract helps Break that tension. Try using a pump sprayer and saturating the top layer slowly.. this should break that tension, allowing you to water slowly.

yucca extract? Ok I'll try that

 

[Hoodiegod]

See above, as well as you can scratch the soil up first by fingers, or add non scented dish soap, a few drops per gallon, not the antibacterial type.
Hope this helps.
FF

Would dawn be ok?

 

[Holodaze]

Like Fast Freddy said you can scratch that top layer breaking it up manually.. but think of it like a sponge, if it's dry and you place under running water, does it soak it up immediately, or do you need to massage it, once it's started taking on water, does it easily absorb it? Yucca extract does help, or even better is slf100 as it's an enzyme too... you don't have to have either tho really... Just another tool in the box.

 

[FastFreddi]

Perfect... I didn't see that... how do you like comments. Sorry for the sidetrack.. new to the forum

No worries...when you get enough likes, you get a like icon lower right quadrant of displayed page.
Peace and welcome!
FF

 

[FastFreddi]

Would dawn be ok?

As long as it has little to no perfumes, definitely not antibacterial...kills microbes in the soil...no need for friendly fire ,lol.
FF

 

[Rurumo]

What brand of soil is it exactly? Some of those cheap potting soils have zero drainage. Rather than use a wetting agent, you may need to add some perlite and transplant.

 

[FastFreddi]

What brand of soil is it exactly? Some of those cheap potting soils have zero drainage. Rather than use a wetting agent, you may need to add some perlite and transplant.

Excellent point Sir...high peat based for example.
Thank you.
FF

 

[Dreminen169]

yucca extract? Ok I'll try that

Therm X70 Yucci extract works great! I know buildasoil carries it

 

[DoobieDoobs]

Just water slowly, spray with water the top of the soil, let it sink, then water a little, let it sink, repeat untill it's fully saturated.