Living Soil

How big of a deal is it to keep stored / cooked living soil in a large bin and transferring to fabric pots after initial cook phase?

main reason I ask I’m wondering how the transfer would mess up the mycelium network that is building. Would the transfer not completely demolish that existing network or am I over thinking this process? Lol

I’m using earth dust in this grow for what it’s worth in organic black gold soil. I plan on recycling / re-using this soil in subsequent grows.

Yes, over thinking.

T.H.Cammo said:

Yes, over thinking.

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Go on… lol

transferring from bin to pot will absolutely destroy the networks…. Lol. Is the bounce back easy for the fungi? I would imagine so but-doesn’t hurt to ask.

Do you really think that people do it some other way? Now, I'm curious!

T.H.Cammo said:

Do you really think that people do it some other way? Now, I'm curious!

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Your curiosity is warranted! Lol

To answer your question, I don’t - I was generally curious.. and maybe a little stoned!! Haha


What brought on the thought was watching the how you video on the website…

He was showing how once the fungi form that just running your hand through it will disturb / destroy the network…

My high brain immediately came here to pose the question bc transferring / pouring / scooping 7 gallons of soil would surely do more damage than just running my damn hand through it!

Yes, it will destroy the mycelia hyphae, but if conditions are favorable it should recover pretty quickly.

I always think of "living soil" as no-till. I re-ammend and reuse soil with organics but I don't believe this is true living soil. Can someone educate me? I also consider super soil just ammended soil, is this also the general consensus?

Fallguy111 said:

I always think of "living soil" as no-till. I re-ammend and reuse soil with organics but I don't believe this is true living soil. Can someone educate me? I also consider super soil just ammended soil, is this also the general consensus?

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Good questions; I have the same.
I used super soil this year and hit them occasionally with some compost teas and whatever is happening in there seems to be making the plants happy! I’ve just too dressed and up potted a couple times but like the user friendly nature that I can wuickly water without measuring nutrients every time!

Fallguy111 said:

I always think of "living soil" as no-till. I re-ammend and reuse soil with organics but I don't believe this is true living soil. Can someone educate me? I also consider super soil just ammended soil, is this also the general consensus?

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I think of living soil as no-till setup in a large pot like 30 gallon or 4x4 bed. There is always a live root mass in the soil at all times. This is accomplished through the use of cover crops.

I think super soil is just amended soil that was allowed to compost prior to planting.

Hydro Hippie said:

I think of living soil as no-till setup in a large pot like 30 gallon or 4x4 bed. There is always a live root mass in the soil at all times. This is accomplished through the use of cover crops.

I think super soil is just amended soil that was allowed to compost prior to planting.

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Generally curious here and not trying to be argumentative, but why in a large 30 gal or 4x4 bed?

What would be the disadvantage of living soil in say a 5 or7 gallon pot?

See, and I thought the "living" part ment the microbial fungal part of the whole unit.

Fallguy111 said:

See, and I thought the "living" part ment the microbial fungal part of the whole unit.

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You are correct in that assumption. I never liked the term living soil. Soil by definition is full of life (microbes, nematodes, fungus etc.) If you remove all the life and organic matter now you have Dirt.

Fallguy111 said:

I always think of "living soil" as no-till. I re-ammend and reuse soil with organics but I don't believe this is true living soil. Can someone educate me? I also consider super soil just ammended soil, is this also the general consensus?

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I consider living soil soil that's full of life. Bacteria, fungi, beneficial insects, worms, and stuff. No till I consider untilled soil, so the fungal network is mostly undisturbed, and it really should have a cover crop but I cheat and just use rice hulls.

mattman089 said:

Generally curious here and not trying to be argumentative, but why in a large 30 gal or 4x4 bed?

What would be the disadvantage of living soil in say a 5 or7 gallon pot?

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It's just more difficult to accomplish in smaller pots. Not enough room to add all the goodies necessary to support the microbial life worm etc. It's not that it can't happen in smaller pots, just more difficult.

PadawanWarrior said:

I consider living soil soil that's full of life. Bacteria, fungi, beneficial insects, worms, and stuff. No till I consider untilled soil, so the fungal network is mostly undisturbed, and it really should have a cover crop but I cheat and just use rice hulls.

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Good call on the undisturbed fungal hypaes!

So saying living before soil is redundant.

Fallguy111 said:

So saying living before soil is redundant.

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Yes sir.

Hydro Hippie said:

Yes sir.

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Fallguy111 said:

So saying living before soil is redundant.

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I think it depends on the grower and situation…

mattman089 said:

I think it depends on the grower and situation…

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I agree 100%

Hydro Hippie said:

It's just more difficult to accomplish in smaller pots. Not enough room to add all the goodies necessary to support the microbial life worm etc. It's not that it can't happen in smaller pots, just more difficult.

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Makes all of the sense. Thank you kind sir for your expertise.