If a sack of potting soil is opened, an unappetizing odor may escape. The question arises whether this stinky soil can be used to cultivate plants.
Potting soil can also go bad
Potting soil stinks
Fresh earth smells pleasantly of forest, of mold, just earthy. This is often not the case with potting soil, regardless of whether it is expensive soil or soil from a discounter. If you rip the sack open, it smells like manure, manure or rot.
Such smells are quite unpleasant for sensitive noses.
However, the smell says nothing about the quality of the potting soil, it is due to the ingredients of the soil.
The various additives
Depending on which and how many substances are contained, odors can occur. Plant substrates contain the following additives, among others:
- Horn shavings,(32.93€) from horns and hooves
- Horn meal, from horns and hooves
- Phytogrit, made from residues from the processing of corn, grain and potatoes, was fermented
- Guano,(121.99€) a natural fertilizer made from concentrated droppings from various seabirds
If you know the origin of the additives, a smell of manure or liquid manure is not surprising. It is best to loosen the soil after opening the sack and let it air out for a while.
If the potting soil consists of compost and bark humus, it will contain microorganisms. These are important so that nutrients for plants are created from the organic substances. The decomposition processes are associated with unpleasant odors, which quickly dissipate in the open air.
Potting soil is spoiled
If the potting soil smells strongly of mold and decay, something has gone wrong. The bad odors often appear in indoor or potted plants. They are a sign that too much has been watered and the required drainage is not working. As a result of the resulting waterlogging, a rotting process has started in the soil, which has often irreparably damaged the roots of the plant.
Only a complete replacement of the earth will help here. The plant may recover in the fresh soil. It is important to fill the pot or tub with a drainage layer of expanded clay (€19.73) or shards of clay before filling in the fresh soil. With this layer, waterlogging can no longer occur.
Watering behavior should also be considered. A plant only needs water when the top layer of soil is already dry.