Scott's Potting Soil Question

riceke · February 10, 2012

Has anyone experienced this? I bought a small bag of this to pot a few houseplants with and I can't get it to absorb water and to keep it moist. When I watered it the water just stayed on top for a long time. So I soaked it in a pan of water but 2 days later it was dry again. I can't seem to get it hydrated. I never experienced this with MG.

delltraveller · February 10, 2012

Try using your hands to work the water into the potting mixture. That's what I've taken to doing.

saltmarsh · February 10, 2012

Probably more than you want to know. Claud

http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=367

GaryStPaul · February 11, 2012

What I do with peat moss is wet it with very hot (even boiling) water. Soaks right in.

riceke · February 13, 2012

Thanks for all the replies. I usually pre wet potting soil before using it especially if it's been setting a while using hot water and agitating the soil, but I just bought this bag and used it directly for potting thinking it was moist enough which it it felt moist. But after 3-4 waterings it still wasn't throughly moist. I pulled the plants out of it and found it to be absolutley dry around the roots. Replanted in Miracle Gro and it absorbed well. My question is have any of you noticed the difference in the two brands of potting mixes or do you think I just got a bad bag. Right now I am about to swear off using Scotts.
By the way thanks for the info on Scotts. Ya never know who your dealing with these days.

riceke · February 13, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryStPaul

What I do with peat moss is wet it with very hot (even boiling) water. Soaks right in.

Gary...It's a little late to do this once the plants are in the soil.

janezee · February 15, 2012

Thanks for that link. I am more concerned about Monsanto every time I hear the name mentioned!

j

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltmarsh

Probably more than you want to know. Claud

http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=367

GaryStPaul · February 13, 2012

You are right, Sir. I didn't realize the plants were already in the mix.

kath · February 13, 2012

I agree with all the other posts- don't get rid of the mix you have. Next time you need some, put a bit more than you think you'll need in some kind of large container like a kettle for canning. I put the container right in the sink and run hot water from the faucet into it and then mix it in really well with both hands until it all feels evenly damp but not soggy. You'll be amazed at how much water you'll need. If I have leftover mix, I let it dry out before I put it away to be stored to avoid mold problems.

riceke · February 14, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

I agree with all the other posts- don't get rid of the mix you have. Next time you need some, put a bit more than you think you'll need in some kind of large container like a kettle for canning. I put the container right in the sink and run hot water from the faucet into it and then mix it in really well with both hands until it all feels evenly damp but not soggy. You'll be amazed at how much water you'll need. If I have leftover mix, I let it dry out before I put it away to be stored to avoid mold problems.

I'm gonna put it in a 5 gal container with drain holes and let it sit out in the rain and not use it till it gets wet. Actually in between my message I went and bought a bag of MGro Pottting Mix and it worked perfectly. But thanks for the input.

johno · February 13, 2012

I tested three or four seed-starting mixes side by side a few years ago, and Scott's yielded the best results. I don't know if the formula has changed since then? Are you using 'potting soil' or the seed-starting mix? (FWIW, MG Cactus Palm and Citrus mix was second best...)

riceke · February 14, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by johno

I tested three or four seed-starting mixes side by side a few years ago, and Scott's yielded the best results. I don't know if the formula has changed since then? Are you using 'potting soil' or the seed-starting mix? (FWIW, MG Cactus Palm and Citrus mix was second best...)

I got the potting mix which usually drains pretty good but this bag just wouldn't absorb water. It passed right through the pot without any retention. I also bought a bag of the Palm and Citrus mix as someone suggested to use it for seeding. I was really trying to get rid of using soil mixes with a lot of peat because of the same reason, once it dries out it's tuff to get it moist without drowning the seedlings. Thanks for the input.

February 10, 2012	#1
riceke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 346	Scott's Potting Soil Question Has anyone experienced this? I bought a small bag of this to pot a few houseplants with and I can't get it to absorb water and to keep it moist. When I watered it the water just stayed on top for a long time. So I soaked it in a pan of water but 2 days later it was dry again. I can't seem to get it hydrated. I never experienced this with MG. __________________ *Ken*

February 13, 2012	#5
riceke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 346	Scott's Question Thanks for all the replies. I usually pre wet potting soil before using it especially if it's been setting a while using hot water and agitating the soil, but I just bought this bag and used it directly for potting thinking it was moist enough which it it felt moist. But after 3-4 waterings it still wasn't throughly moist. I pulled the plants out of it and found it to be absolutley dry around the roots. Replanted in Miracle Gro and it absorbed well. My question is have any of you noticed the difference in the two brands of potting mixes or do you think I just got a bad bag. Right now I am about to swear off using Scotts. By the way thanks for the info on Scotts. Ya never know who your dealing with these days. __________________ *Ken*

February 13, 2012	#11
johno Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arkansas zone 6b Posts: 441	I tested three or four seed-starting mixes side by side a few years ago, and Scott's yielded the best results. I don't know if the formula has changed since then? Are you using 'potting soil' or the seed-starting mix? (FWIW, MG Cactus Palm and Citrus mix was second best...) __________________ You create your own universe as you go along. Winston Churchill

February 10, 2012	#2
delltraveller Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 481	Try using your hands to work the water into the potting mixture. That's what I've taken to doing.

February 10, 2012	#3
saltmarsh Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 2 miles south of Yoknapatawpha Zone 7b Posts: 662	Probably more than you want to know. Claud http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=367

February 11, 2012	#4
GaryStPaul Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St Paul, MN Posts: 158	What I do with peat moss is wet it with very hot (even boiling) water. Soaks right in.

February 13, 2012	#9
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I agree with all the other posts- don't get rid of the mix you have. Next time you need some, put a bit more than you think you'll need in some kind of large container like a kettle for canning. I put the container right in the sink and run hot water from the faucet into it and then mix it in really well with both hands until it all feels evenly damp but not soggy. You'll be amazed at how much water you'll need. If I have leftover mix, I let it dry out before I put it away to be stored to avoid mold problems.