Changed soil for plant, question

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I recently changed out the soil for one of my plants. There was potting soil in it when I initially got it. Is fill dirt bought from the store ok? Or do I need to add fertilizer and nitrogen?

 

[edro]

Plant type, size, pot type, indoors or outdoors, etc?

Fill dirt is not normally bought from a store, it is bought by the truck load and has high clay content.
Top soil and potting soil is bought from stores in bags and is what should be used for most potted plants.

And yes, all potted plants need fertilizer.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

It's earthgro Top soil I grabbed from my families house.

Indoor, above average?, Croton?

 

[turtile]

It's earthgro Top soil I grabbed from my families house.

Indoor, above average?, Croton?

Top soil will work but it's not good for the plant or the house. Top soil contains clay/silt/sand which can expand/contract/harden etc. in the pot. On top of that, top soil isn't sterile. That means any living thing in the top soil will come to life in your house.

You'll want to use high quality potting mix like Pro-mix or aged pinebark.

As for fertilization, never add any liquid or quick release fertilizer. Slow release like Osmocote will be much cheaper long run and grow a healthier plant. Liquid/granular fertilizers will leach out of the other end of the pot when you water.

 

[shortylickens]

My mom only uses name brand potting soil for those kinds of things. She says plants die if you use anything else.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Looks like I'll have to re-pot the plant. Don't want any bugs flying around my house, etc.


Thanks for the help!