Transplanting autoflowers

So I’m reading a lot that you shouldn’t really transplant autos. Well I’m a dumb noob and put them in solo cups and now am regretting it because of people saying they are very easily shocked from transplant.. especially because of the roots touching the bottom of the cup.. That being said, mine sprouted in the solo cups about 4 days ago.. I also had planned to switch the medium up a little bit at transplant… I’m feeling as if that could shock them as well…should I just transplant them asap before the roots reach the bottom? Feeling stupid over here and could use the advice. Thanks in advance.

ericcccmurphyy said:

So I’m reading a lot that you shouldn’t really transplant autos. Well I’m a dumb noob and put them in solo cups and now am regretting it because of people saying they are very easily shocked from transplant.. especially because of the roots touching the bottom of the cup.. That being said, mine sprouted in the solo cups about 4 days ago.. I also had planned to switch the medium up a little bit at transplant… I’m feeling as if that could shock them as well…should I just transplant them asap before the roots reach the bottom? Feeling stupid over here and could use the advice. Thanks in advance.

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In my opinion, autos are very container dependent. Once their roots sense they are out of room, it triggers a response (100% my own theory bro-science here...) that says, "Ok, this is all the room I have, let's switch gears now."

So the trick is getting them out of those solo cups before that happens. Just take scissors, cut down the side of the solo cup and very carefully move into your final container. They should be fine as long as long as the roots haven't established too much.

ericcccmurphyy said:

So I’m reading a lot that you shouldn’t really transplant autos. Well I’m a dumb noob and put them in solo cups and now am regretting it because of people saying they are very easily shocked from transplant.. especially because of the roots touching the bottom of the cup.. That being said, mine sprouted in the solo cups about 4 days ago.. I also had planned to switch the medium up a little bit at transplant… I’m feeling as if that could shock them as well…should I just transplant them asap before the roots reach the bottom? Feeling stupid over here and could use the advice. Thanks in advance.

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Transplanting autos is no more perilous than transplanting a photoperiod plant; ignore any auto-specific folklore.

That's nothing but bro science. Most auto growers transplant and train. Even Mephisto, who only sells autos, recommends starting in solo cups and transplanting. Transplanting shouldn't even slow the plant down if done properly.

ericcccmurphyy said:

So I’m reading a lot that you shouldn’t really transplant autos. Well I’m a dumb noob and put them in solo cups and now am regretting it because of people saying they are very easily shocked from transplant.. especially because of the roots touching the bottom of the cup.. That being said, mine sprouted in the solo cups about 4 days ago.. I also had planned to switch the medium up a little bit at transplant… I’m feeling as if that could shock them as well…should I just transplant them asap before the roots reach the bottom? Feeling stupid over here and could use the advice. Thanks in advance.

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Don’t open the container as the soil will all fall apart. U want the roots to keep the soil together somewhat. About the 12-14 day mark is about right on a healthy seedling.

Ironically the only plant I transplanted this time round got twice the size of the others lol

MtRainDog said:

In my opinion, autos are very container dependent. Once their roots sense they are out of room, it triggers a response (100% my own theory bro-science here...) that says, "Ok, this is all the room I have, let's switch gears now."

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I like your theory, in principle, but in my limited experience, the plants that thrive before transplant continue thriving after transplant and those that don't do so well as seedlings continue to languish. So container type doesn't have much to do w/ it. But that's just my experience.

I transplanted one of my autoflowers twice, and it turned out good enough. But I do have a lot of variations in my outdoor grow and am always looking for explanations.

MtRainDog said:

In my opinion, autos are very container dependent. Once their roots sense they are out of room, it triggers a response (100% my own theory bro-science here...) that says, "Ok, this is all the room I have, let's switch gears now."

So the trick is getting them out of those solo cups before that happens. Just take scissors, cut down the side of the solo cup and very carefully move into your final container. They should be fine as long as long as the roots haven't established too much.

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I couldnt of said it any better but thats why Id plant in final container. I do dtw coco but did soil few times Id think it would apply too. I dont think thats bro science, look at this autos trunk lol.

I actually did transplant that one but on day 7 on the dot. It was just harder to do and rather of started in that 3 gal.

3 gal is too much I switched to 1 gal but Im sure theyd grow a bit more robust if to start in 1 gal. Personalized related though, not every one runs the same style.

Like I do the floraflex setup 1 gal so Id just plug it into the garden. 1.8ec maxibloom. Ive done that to seeds clones handful of times now.

MickFoster said:

That's nothing but bro science. Most auto growers transplant and train. Even Mephisto, who only sells autos, recommends starting in solo cups and transplanting. Transplanting shouldn't even slow the plant down if done properly.
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Good picture. When you do it like this you won't get any transplant shock. I think they actually grow better with at least 1 transplant.

I usually use clear cups nested into regular solos to be able to easily check root development. Typically a week-10 days from sprout roots are at or near the bottom. Absent the clear cup, gently easing the root ball out of the cup to check root development at about a week works also. Watering a couple days before transplanting will aid in helping keep the soil from crumbling from the roots (stressful). Not a requirement but sprinkling mikorhizza on the root ball and in the hole is helpful with stress also imo. I'm more of a photo grower but have done a few autos. Planted directly in final pot as well as solo starting. I've seen no difference in time to flower. Some say when the main taproot bottoms out in a container it will help cause the plant to start flowering earlier but I can't confirm or deny this theory. I'd say as long as you carefully up-pot before the roots get cramped you should be fine.