Potting land is a mixture of soil , peat moss , fertilizer and other element used to grow plants in container gardens . There are a variety show of potting grunge designed to get the correct balance of drainage , water retention and nutrition for various type of plants . Although potting soil has a variety of benefit for growing plants , it also has certain risks and risk that gardeners should be aware of .

Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaire ' disease is a potentially serious disease do from bacterium in the genus Legionella . It is normally because of inhaled spray can and is particularly dangerous to older patients or those with weak or discredited resistant system . Legionella longbeachae , one case of legionnaires bacterium , is sometimes found in potting soil , and hoi polloi once in a while catch the illness from the territory . accord to the Government of Western Australia Department of Health , you could minimize your risks by wearing gloves and a face mask when handle the dirt and dampening potting soil before work with it to avoid spreading dust . Also , recall to wash your hands exhaustively each fourth dimension you use pot stain or compost . you’re able to also minimize your risk by know the symptom of legionnaires ' disease such as a high-pitched temperature and chill , abruptness of breath or wry coughing , capitulum and muscleman aching , stomach pain and looseness .

Vermiculite Asbestos Contamination

Vermiculite is a lifelike mineral added to pot grunge as a ground conditioner . Vermiculite holds water , make more moisture available to the roots of plants grown in pot soil . Unfortunately , vermiculite can also be life-threatening . allot to the Illinois Department of Public Health , some vermiculite is contaminated with a of course occurring asbestos prognosticate tremolite - actinolite . When asbestos is breathed in , it can pose serious risks to respiratory wellness . Fortunately , according to the EPA , the risks from the vermiculite are quite low-pitched . Soil hold in lilliputian vermiculite and , even if the vermiculite in a especial potting soil were contaminated , the hazard of someone breathe in the asbestos fibers from it would be small . If you wish to denigrate your risks , however , buy potting soil without vermiculite in it .

Poor Standardization

Potting soil does not only peril the consumer ; it may pose danger to the flora itself . accord to Horticulture Help , " there are no uniform standards for packaged potting soil . " Whatever the case-by-case soils call , they may have any number of different constituent in them . Most have too much fertilizer , which can really damage your plants . In summation , if potting soil are not label " sterilized , " they may have smoke or insect in them which can place problems for your own plants . If you are fortunate enough to have honorable topsoil where you last , count using your own surface soil alternatively of pot soil from an unknown sourced . After all , it is free and you will know exactly what you are getting ahead of time .

References

…