Soil flushing question

Hey rollitup,

I am getting ready to flush my soil because I have some nute burn on my plant. I am apprehensive of flushing the soil because it just seems like that would promote root rot. I know that flushing soil is a common thing, I am just worried. How do I avoid getting root rot when I do this? I also had the idea to change out the soil but I don't want to disturb the roots so I was going to take some of the old soil out and gradually phase in the new soil. Is this a good idea? Should I just transplant it and hope for the best? Please help me guys, I don't want to see all my hard work go down the drain.

What are you using for soil?

If your soil drains well, it shouldn't be a problem. Just add water a few cups at a time until it spills from the bottom of your pots and then wait 3-5 days until they dry out to water again.

how old are the plants?

My plant is a little over a month old and I sadly have miracle grow soil, but I got some super soil for it and that is why I want to switch out the soil. The miracle grow has the slow release nutes and they are burning my plant. I have heard that for flushing I should use 1 gallon of water for every gallon of soil, but that seemed a bit excessive to me. I am just so scared of killing it. I am so attached to it. I will post pics a little bit later, I am waiting for the camera to show up.

Don't bother with a flush, just transplant them at your earliest convenience. That MG soil will do you no justice.

I am just worried that I am going to harm the plants roots by transplanting it. What is the best way to go about transplanting without disturbing the roots? Is it true that you should not touch the roots at all? If so, how am I supposed to get the clumps of soil off of the roots? I am sorry for all the questions, I just want to get this right.

you can pull out the root ball and dissolve the soil by running it under warm water.

I've never done this but I've seen it suggested and it sounds like the least violent way to re pot without destroying the root system

You'll be fine for touching the roots. Do try to get the soil out of them but be very gentile. Normally wouldn't matter but as the soil is doing harm to your plants do your best without damaging the roots. You can use distilled water to rinse the roots which will help remove the soil. If you can't get it all, it shouldn't be a problem. Finally, make sure your fresh soil is a little moist before placing your plants in it.

Hope that helps.

if the plants r in the pot you plan on flowering in, just water on your schedule, and don't worry about flushing, until the leaves go back normal. if your transplanting then do so and just use water no nutes when you water it.

JangleGrow said:

If your soil drains well, it shouldn't be a problem. Just add water a few cups at a time until it spills from the bottom of your pots and then wait 3-5 days until they dry out to water again.

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A little more than a few cus is needed jangle.... First of all it depends on how big ur pot is, u wanna use three times the containers capacity in water, so if ur using a 1gal pot, use 3gal. of water....

JangleGrow said:

Don't bother with a flush, just transplant them at your earliest convenience. That MG soil will do you no justice.

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Not that I dont agree that the mg soil isn't gonna help afterwords, but somehow i can't help but think that ur unaware of the time released nutes in mg soils.... u are correct in that a transplant to a different soil is neccessary, kudos for that. BUT, the reason a different soil would be needed, is because if u flush mg soil, u'll burn the plants even more.

Now, that said, do not flush! Simply transplant to some better soil, and use no nutes for a week. Good luck.

how often are you watering now??

stumps said:

how often are you watering now??

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I am watering when the soil is dry to the touch about one inch to half an inch down, then I water.

Ok, now the real question, what is the safest way for me to transplant it without hurting the roots. Is it really true that if you touch the roots the plant will die? Please help me out guys, I am on my 6 hour dark cycle right now and when the light comes back on I just want to transplant it and get it done so it has the rest of the time to just recover and soak up some light.

add the whole thing to a bigger pot don't mess with the roots at all. The roots will grow out and be fine.

stumps said:

add the whole thing to a bigger pot don't mess with the roots at all. The roots will grow out and be fine.

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Good job stumps! Kuro, ur watering method works well, try this one too, HEFTING THE POT. Afer u water til there's some drainage, pick up the pot and feell how heavy it is, feels like theres a brick in there! Wait a few days or however long u normally would wait, for me its about every 3-4 days, then pick it up again. U'll notice the pot will be significantly lighter, and when it's time to water it will feel empty. Helps to ensure strong root growth, good roots, good plants.

stumps said:

add the whole thing to a bigger pot don't mess with the roots at all. The roots will grow out and be fine.

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I understand that, but I am getting nute burn because the soil I am using has slow release nutes in it. I can't just leave it in there because then I am not dealing with the problem. I need to know what to do, My dark cycle is almost over. any help is appreciated.

got any pics?? that would help

your plants will not die if you touch the roots...

do a standard transplant, and before you place the root brick into new soil give it a good shake and fluff up the roots, then lighty place it in you r new soil.