Advice needed only 3 weeks in!! rootbound?

i started three weeks ago with 6 mango bigbud clones in rockwool cubes, i transplanted them into 6" pots with westlands multipurpose with john innes, under a 400w hps.
They grew vigourously for two weeks until i noticed roots coming out the bottom of the pots, the plants began to wilt, and when i watered, it just ran straight through.
I checked the root ball and the root system was running around the bottom of the pot. and some of the lower leaves were yellowing.
I decided to transplant them into 10 litre pots, using the same medium i added it to the pot and watered it in layers before planting the rootball. I assume i did it correctly because they were growing again the very next day!. not a week later like some people claim.

that was 1 week ago and they are looking really healthy, but i am a bit concerned. They havent needed any water for the 7 days after transplanting, and to my horror i noticed a root poking out the bottom of some of my pots, I really havent got the space to transplant again and can't believe that these big pots could be rootbound already! I expected them to last through to the end.

could they be rootbound already?
should i just go ahead and flower and hope its just a tap root seeking water?

the plants are about 14inches high

no mate the plants just searching out its new home, itll wrap a few roots round the edge of the pot. How long b4 u flower em?

should have went for 3 gallon pots mate, they look nice and healthy though

mr west said:

no mate the plants just searching out its new home, itll wrap a few roots round the edge of the pot. How long b4 u flower em?

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i was going to start tonight, if i delay it any longer they are going to be too big. do you think the pots will do?

Ya, the roots go to the bottom 1st...then they spread out from there...

I would go for it and see how u get on. They dunt grow much roots wen u flip; the switch its all upstairs lol

Go now and don't be concerned. I frequently use 10 litre buckets with good results. Keep them watered but DON'T overfeed as smaller pots can build up salts and unused nutes to unhealthy levels. They look lovely, I'm sure you'll enjoy some nice bud.

Barrelhse said:

Go now and don't be concerned. I frequently use 10 litre buckets with good results. Keep them watered but DON'T overfeed as smaller pots can build up salts and unused nutes to unhealthy levels. They look lovely, I'm sure you'll enjoy some nice bud.

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thanks for the advice mate you have been really helpfull, i will begin tonight

Agreed, I'd switch them if they're at the veg size you were shooting for. I used 8 liter pots for my first couple grows, and ended up with some 4' plants, with no rootbind problems.(although it was close)

They look good man, excellent work.

mr west said:

I would go for it and see how u get on. They dunt grow much roots wen u flip; the switch its all upstairs lol

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That's true. They a need a little time to expand the roots after transplant. I've done some right at, or even after, the flip and when they were done t I could see the rootball never enlarged into the new soil.

ok thanks, they are due thier first watering since transplanting, i am planning on using just ph'd water for this watering, then gradually introduce nutes on the next, as the soil should still have some nutes in it. Am i right?

^Right on the money.




Oh yeah....you probably should wait a couple waterings before you start nutes, as the new soil will keep them happy for a week or two.(maybe longer, depending on pot size)

jawbrodt said:

^Right on the money.




Oh yeah....you probably should wait a couple waterings before you start nutes, as the new soil will keep them happy for a week or two.(maybe longer, depending on pot size)

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cheers mate i think i am finally getting the hang of this after 1 hermie grow, and a failed rockwool grow.

i gave them a water tonight, they are ready to flip in 10 hrs!, i've read somewhere that they can be left for 24 hours in darkness before going 12/12, any ideas what is best?

well, i just went straight 12/12 and after 3 days, they have exploded! looking good.