I had some soil conditioner I purchased at a rebate . And wondered if I could use it as pot soil for my plants .
you’re able to not use soil conditioner as potting mixing because it will cause excess nutrients that damage the plant roots . They wo n’t be able to take in moisture and nutrients due to the damage . territory conditioner does not have the right grain to support potted flora roots .
In this billet , I ’ll facilitate you sympathise why you ca n’t apply soil conditioner as pot grease . I ’ll also discuss the difference between potting land , fertiliser , and soil conditioner . you could also make your own soil conditioner and expend it on your plants .

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What is a soil conditioner?
Soil conditioner is a product used to improve the character , forcible properties and nourishing counterbalance of the soil . Soil conditioners come in many forms , including liquids , granules and powders ; the most common signifier is fine granule designed to be amalgamate into potting soil to optimise flora growth and health .
filth conditioner improves aeration , hydration and oxygen incursion of the grease . The condition ‘ dirt conditioner ’ is used to mention to a subset of soil meliorate materials like fertilizers and compost .
The soil conditioner can helpimprove compacted soilthat hold in a lot of corpse which has poor drain and tune circulation .
grunge conditioners can be constitutional or inorganic , and often contain ingredients likecoffee grounds , blood andbone mealand garden gypsum .
Soil conditioner is much more good to outdoor soil and solid ground , so it ’s not go to have that much of a helpful impact on pot plant . The ground used for potted plant is different because it contains a unique combination of nutrients that unconstipated grunge does n’t , and grunge conditioner is not designed to help this type of stain . The whole purpose of soil conditioner is to improve the fertility of filth , and potting stain is contrive to be much more fertile than any other type of out-of-door soil . – Jeremy Yamaguchi , CEO ofLawn Love
Can I use soil conditioner as potting soil?
Soil conditioner should not be used aspotting soilas it is too fine to provide the plant to establish fast origin and structure .
Potting dirt is specifically designed forplants grow in pots , as it retains appropriate moisture , ringlet in nutrients and has been pasteurize to intercept bad bacterium ontogeny that can damage plant .
pot soil is also made to stop soil from becoming wad overtime , which can hamper growth and nutrient uptake for your works .
When choosing a potting grime , take something that is designed specifically for pots , as poor drainage can rot the ascendant of your plant and have lasting scathe .
What is the difference between a potting soil and a planting mix/soil conditioner?
Potting dirt is a grease mixture used for the volume of a plant ’s environment . This soil is used to retain moisture , for your plant to establish roots , and allow for a base for increment . A pot dirt / soil conditioner mixing is soil with a soil amendment mix in through to increase water - holding capacity , aeration and nutrient .
pot soil / soil conditioner mixes are best for encouraging plant life wellness for young plant when first pot , especially when used in improver to compost or fertiliser for alimental release .
Can you grow plants in just soil conditioner?
you could not grow plants in just land conditioner because it does not furnish a good foundation for the plant ’ roots . The grunge conditioner will contain lot of nutrients that may cause over - fertilization problem to the root .
Soil conditioner is formulated to encourage a fertile ground for works to thrive . They are not contrive as potting dirt , and so have a much fine grain that is made to be mix through spoil to advance water retentiveness and nutrient uptake .
How to use soil conditioner?
Soil conditioner is used by mixing through the top few inch of the soil surrounding your plant . This changes the forcible properties of the plant and take into account it to bear more water , oxygen and nutrient .
Soil conditioner left on top of the soil can dry out out and have the opposite result by causing melt off hydration to shallow roots and the external structure of your plant .
Can I use soil conditioner as compost?
you could not use soil conditioner as compost if it made of materials like ivory meal , blood meal , coffee reason , or manure . These are fertilizers and need to be sum up in limited amount to the potting stain . You could use compost itself as a soil conditioner .
Compost typically has larger particles designed to retain wet and boost the growth of healthy bacteria in the ground . Soil conditioner has small particles that reserve it to riddle the soil and increase water - holding content , alimental ingestion and equilibrise the land ’s pH for optimal works ontogeny .
For best results , habituate soil conditioner in additional to compost by ruffle them with the potting soil .
What is the difference between soil conditioner vs. fertilizer vs. compost?
A broad range of cloth have been line as “ soil conditioner ” because they help meliorate soil character . instance include biochar , bone repast , bloody meal , coffee soil , compost , compost afternoon tea , coco coir , manure , wheat , sphagnum moss , vermiculite , sulfur , lime , Hydro absorbent Polymer ( HAP ) , biosolids .
How to make soil conditioner?
Soil conditioner is any Cartesian product used to improve grunge properties and optimise long - full term plant life emergence . We can make soil conditioner of a combination of different materials depend on the soil type and demand of your plant .
To make soil conditioner , mix one partcomposted manure , one part inorganic thing like gypsum , and three parts organic relay transmitter like seaweed powder or blood and bone repast .
try an area of your soil with your salmagundi and improve the ratios as required . We can buy soil conditioner ready - made from horticulture midpoint and will usually contain a compounding of organic and inorganic textile for the best results .
How much soil conditioner do I need?
The amount of soil conditioner needed count on the type of flora you are grow and the character of soil you are using .
A general rule of pollex is to utilise between ½ cup to ¾ cup of soil conditioner persquare footof soil and conflate it through thoroughly to see the best outcome on your dirt ’s pH levels and properties .
So, are soil conditioners worth it?
Soil conditioners can be a great way to meliorate the dimension of hapless - quality soils and produce a beneficial surround for your plant to boom in .
Ready - made dirt conditioners can be purchased from garden centres , or you’re able to make your own at home using easily purchased cloth and scraps from your kitchen .
Not all soil conditioner are created adequate – do your inquiry to check that that your soil conditioner is correct for you and your industrial plant .
Fact Checked , Written , and put out by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor , a website that aim to instruct people to turn their own solid food in a limited blank space . As a ego - taught nurseryman , Kevin has spent several yr growing plants and make gardening content on the site . He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University . He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University . Read more