Starting in a big pot

This may be a noob question but I searched all throughout the forums and couldn't find anything that answered my question.

My question is: if I start my babies in 5 gal containers so I don't have to transplant them will there be any adverse effects? I don't see why it would be. My reason for wanting to do this is because on weekends I work out of town and I'm gone from Friday evening to Sunday evening so I can't water my babies. I've read that bigger pots require less watering (at least when the plant is smaller) so that would be ideal until I can set up a proper automatic watering system?

i mean you can...but i wouldnt recommend it because the plants will spend all their energy trying to fill out that 5 gal pot as opposed to a smaller pot...

you should at least transplant twice if not three times...

start with a smaller pot and let the roots fill out...then transplant...

but do you...who am i to tell you whas good and not good....much as i know and im still learning ya dig....

I'll keep that in mind, thanks ^^. Correct me if I'm wrong though (not trying to be a jerk it's an honest question) but isn't it over watering that cause the plant to grow the roots bigger, using up more energy?

i mean... im not for sure...but i really dont think so


because when you over water...you saturate the roots...almost like when a human being drinks too much liquor... you can get MORE drunk...but its harder to get undrunk...ya feel me (sorry for the bad analogy...but you get my drift)

once you overwater, you damage the roots with too much water and not enough oxygen....which in turn too much overwatering kills the plants...it doesnt get bigger roots becuz you overwatered....its dies! and once the plants drink all the water up...its a wrap bro!

That's exactly what I'm trying to prevent. With a bigger pot I could add more water to the soil without oversaturating it so my babies won't go thirsty while I'm away.

i mean....im telling you my 2cent...

i would recommend you listen.

just because you have a BIGGER pot doesnt mean you can ADD MORE water...it doesnt work like that...


thas just like saying....'well imma be off the farm/stable for a few weeks im going on vacation.... so why dont i give the horses bigger and larger food trays and put more food so it'd last til i get back....'

newsflash buddy....horses wont stop eating unless you take their food away...they will eat til they fall over.

same thing with plants....especially in soil.... its way easy to overwater....if you put too much water in the soil...regardless the plant wont know to conserve water because it wont be getting watered the next day....it only knows to take in was around....

i see your logic....but its not correct.....i could see if you had a BIGGER, more developed plant....but you dont....you have a little baby, a seedling, and too much water in those days is crucial....

trust.

but like i said.... do what you feel...

after all, you know what is right, right?

You both make good points thank you. So would it be bad if I started out in a large pot but gave it only the amount of water it needs?

I have a question. Does nature transplant?

nature also doesnt add progressive bloom nutes either...

its alot of stuff we do that mother nature doesnt...that doesnt mean we should stop...

inside growing is called inside growing for a reason..... we have to sub as best we can

so if you start in a large pot, the plant spends all its light and nutrients growing roots instead of growing taller, bushier?

ok... well if thats the case, what about wild plants?

your only away for like 2 nights ? i they will be ok with no water for 2 nights

krillianred said:

so if you start in a large pot, the plant spends all its light and nutrients growing roots instead of growing taller, bushier?

ok... well if thats the case, what about wild plants?

Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. This way I also don't have to worry about shocking my plants thus slowing their growth.

In the correct sized pot for the plants stage of development you shouldn't have any problem going 3 days without watering.

my single cent...I have used 5 gal pots. I understood the risk as outlined above. I also had some feedback that suggested there are other aspects that influence how well (or not) a plant will grow. Then again, I'm watering from the bottom allowing the soil to wick up the moisture that it requires. So far...my plants are doing pretty well. So if my one experience is valuable? then its working for me (for now....but as with most things in life....I'm prepared for things to change without formal notice given!)

I'm going to try using 5 gal pots and watering from the bottom and seeing if it works. I'm hoping it does so I don't need to worry about having to transfer them thus causing them to go into shock.