I started my plants in 4.5 inch square pots and I am waiting for them to get big enough to either put them in the ground or in a bigger pot. Which is better a pot or the ground? How is this done step by step? I have read that the roots will grow around the pot its in so would I have to do anything when transferring them? They will be put in the same soil so I don't shock them too much
4.5 inch square pots
- Thread starter jordyy
- Start date
kmog33
Well-Known Member
Ground will usually get bigger than pots, but its much harder to control your nutrient base as the ground naturally flushes itself. And to transplant i wet the soil in my small pot and flip the plant over in my hand then put in into its bigger space.
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So I don't have to cut roots or anything like that? I've read that its hard for the plant to adapt to its new environment. Is this true or should I not worry about it?
kmog33
Well-Known Member
That is a terrible idea and wrong. Do not fuck with your root mass when transplanting. The only situation i would mess with them is if i was incredibly root bound ans wanted to loosen up the rootball before putting the plant in its new home
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FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
I would put them in the ground if possible. More room for the roots to stretch out. Also keeps roots cooler in the summer. I usually water before transplanting. I water, wait 20 minutes, fill the new pot/hole with soil. put the current pot in the soil to make an imprint. Then I squish the sides of the current pot a little bit. Put my hand over the top of the current pot with the plant stem between my fingers and flip the pot over. Then place the rootball into the indentation you made in the new hole/pot soil. Back fill and firm soil lightly around the root ball to get good contact with the new soil for the roots to grow into. Then water with the same solution you previously watered the plant with. Also some seaweed extract or B-1 plant vitamin in the solution will help with any stress on the plant.. I usually do this process at night time so the plant is stressed out from the sun right after transplant.
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
Do not cut the roots. If the plant is rootbound just lightly rake the roots(try not too tear them) to free them up a bit so they can easily grow into the new soil.
When you say rake, do you mean shake some of the excess soil off? This is my first time I'm just trying to do things right. So much false information online it's crazy.
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
Just take your fingertips and lightly rake the outside roots that may or may not be circling the pot. Basically just pulling the circling roots away from the soil a bit. I would never do this with dry soil though.
Thanks man, there only a week old now. So will see what they look like when the time comes. If you had to guess how long until they should be moved to the ground?
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
In those size starter pots they have a while. i would say you've got another 3 weeks at least
I forgot to mention that they are auto northern lights. Does that affect when I should transfer them? I have heard by 4 weeks some are already flowering.
FresnoFarmer
Well-Known Member
I think you should still be good. I have transplanted flowering plants before with no ill effects.
SenorBrownWater
Well-Known Member
When I transplant...I use my fingers to poke holes in the dirt to loosen it up a bit...I don't really know why...Just always done it like that...
You shouldn't transplant autos....start them in the pot you will end with....lets say they have 30 days of veg...if you transplant you will lose 3-7 days...With autos every day counts...
You shouldn't transplant autos....start them in the pot you will end with....lets say they have 30 days of veg...if you transplant you will lose 3-7 days...With autos every day counts...
Well what would you recommend? I started them from seed and they're 1 week old in 4.5 in pots.
SenorBrownWater
Well-Known Member
I have never grown autos .....That was just something I read....I have some dinafem cheese autos...but I don't have a lot of interest in them..
I don't think it matters when you transplant them now...
BcDigger
Well-Known Member
Ha nice that's like Exactly how I would do it. Glad I'm on par
cat of curiosity
Well-Known Member
cutting roots for in-ground transplant is extremely beneficial. however, there is right way and a wrong way, and anything other than the right way is wrong and detrimental.
a bound plant will explode with scoring and transplant. keep in mind, this is ideal, well fed, fully established plant to start.
at the point of binding, roots are looking for new space. this is great, as you're about to give them some. the un-potting is referenced above. now, if you have nearly solid white wrapping your soil, here's how to score for a boost of root growth and reestablishment.
at your pre-prepared site, un-pot your plant. you will have a mostly white, wrapped root ball in hand.
score in four quadrants, with a sharp sterile knife (doesn't have to be sterile, but results are tremendous). in other words, rake the root ball in four spots, x and y axis.
immediately transplant and pack soil gently but firmly.
now comes the important part of this process...
saturate soil with nutrients and vitamins/hormones (superthrive, don't mess with anything else). use super thrive at one teaspoon per gallon, nutes at half strength.
shock will last for 16-36 hours, and after the plants will explode. slowly first, then crazy growth. each broken root will grow hundreds more as 'feeders', which will become the new root base. the tips that die from scoring quickly rot and are used for new growth.
i did a lot of playing with roots in dirt and hydro. scoring done proper is like topping done proper. superthrive i swear by, best root accelerator i've ever come across.
a bound plant will explode with scoring and transplant. keep in mind, this is ideal, well fed, fully established plant to start.
at the point of binding, roots are looking for new space. this is great, as you're about to give them some. the un-potting is referenced above. now, if you have nearly solid white wrapping your soil, here's how to score for a boost of root growth and reestablishment.
at your pre-prepared site, un-pot your plant. you will have a mostly white, wrapped root ball in hand.
score in four quadrants, with a sharp sterile knife (doesn't have to be sterile, but results are tremendous). in other words, rake the root ball in four spots, x and y axis.
immediately transplant and pack soil gently but firmly.
now comes the important part of this process...
saturate soil with nutrients and vitamins/hormones (superthrive, don't mess with anything else). use super thrive at one teaspoon per gallon, nutes at half strength.
shock will last for 16-36 hours, and after the plants will explode. slowly first, then crazy growth. each broken root will grow hundreds more as 'feeders', which will become the new root base. the tips that die from scoring quickly rot and are used for new growth.
i did a lot of playing with roots in dirt and hydro. scoring done proper is like topping done proper. superthrive i swear by, best root accelerator i've ever come across.
sandjsdad
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with this. I do it with every plant I transplant, cannabis, tomatoes, whatever, and it works out great. Every reputable nursery I've dealt with says to cut/score the roots, it really does help them grow.
Neoangelo147
Well-Known Member
If u are growing autoflowers u should have put them in bigger pots a long time ago...Reason for this is they will yeild u very lil and stay small if u dont start them in their finishing pots...