transplanting gradually into bigger pots vs once and for all

I just want to clear an issue that confuses me at the moment: is there any advantage in transplanting progressively into larger containers instead of doing it just once? Specifically, right after the taproot emerges from the seed and the seed now needs to be placed in a growing medium, is it ok if it's placed right away into the 'final/biggest' container? Or should it be first placed in a container just big enough for the time being, and only after it grows more to be placed into the "final/biggest" one?

doesnt matter. its a preference.

yes is the short answer, I see atleast two reason to use multiple pots (3-4) doing your grow

1.) in better controle when watering (easy to over water a small seedling in a big pot if your not careful)

2.) weed (and I guess many plants) like to spread there roots out to the side and then down, if you use multiple pots you will grow a nice root net to fill out your final Pot (if you start out in the final pot you kind a "loose" 30% of the soil/space in the middle) and a good healthy root net is what your looking for if you want a healthy plant that yield good ..

I like to start out mine in cup`s easy to controle the watering (just keep a eye on em as they easily dry out fast when getting bigger)
after a few weeks I repot em in to 2-3 gallon pot`s (Veg pot`s as I call em) I keep em in them doing my 4-5 weeks Veg. before I repot in to the final 3-4 gallon "flowering pot a week or so before 12/12 so it have time to settle in its new home ..

just to be more specific: I have in mind stealth grows, so we're talking for a final height of about 2 feet most. According to the rule of thumb that calls for a 2 gallon pot, so I'm mostly interested in placing (I guess it's not transplanting) the seed right into such a 2 gallon pot after its taproot emerges.

but I'll be curious to know: is there a pot "too big" when transplanting so you have to go there gradually? or is there no such concern?

edit
I've posted before noticing the replies, let me ponder on it to see if it's now clear to me

oh yeah it's clear now
if the roots grow in this pattern, outwards and then downwards, then there's a clear advantage in gradual transplantation

thanks a lot!

my opinon is why transplant more than once its unneeded stress and a waste of time due to the transplant.I usually start in .5 gallon pots and transplant once into 5 gallons but thats just me some say transplanting has no affect but I was told it does and theres products to avoid it so it must exist therefore I do once

vilify said:

doesnt matter. its a preference.

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according to what Slipon wrote, there may be a difference, maybe it's only noticeable in extreme cases? like placing a sprout directly into a 10gallon pot(?) But as I said I'm interested in micro/stealth growths, so a 10gallon pot is out of reach anyways

I transplant once: soil I go from an airpot or equivalent in your case then into a 5 gal 2 weeks before bloom.

Personally my airpots don't even get untied the whole pot is submerged to prevent stress the air pruned roots now go nuts in the 5 gal. I am getting huge...huge plants from this.

I highly suggest less to reduce risk = greater plant success rates = profit$ or maybe profit to you is

Budgoro88 said:

my opinon is why transplant more than once its unneeded stress and a waste of time due to the transplant.I usually start in .5 gallon pots and transplant once into 5 gallons but thats just me some say transplanting has no affect but I was told it does and theres products to avoid it so it must exist therefore I do once

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yeah so for some reason I'm sure transplanting causes stress and I want to avoid it as much as possible. I also saw in a Cervante's video that after transplanting it needs low N&K but high P for a while. So if a transplantation takes place during the vegetative phase (most likely anyway) that will mess things up a bit, since during vegetation you need high N.

However I suppose you would never go straight into 5gallons without the 0.5gallon stage?

Always enjoyed these threads they always into amusing arguments. I go from solo cup to five gallon smart pots. Call me lazy but last time I checked nature didn't transplant so I feel like I'm overdoing it as is. I wouldn't at all if I could afford enough soil to throw them all into 5 gallons at once.

I let my seedling stretch on purpose in the solo cup until it bends over. Than i put it right in the end pot and when I do I plant it all the way down just two inches below the first set of leaves. Burry the whole thing. It will sit there for weeks before it begins to grow up. The roots go crazy and until they reach the end of the pot there is little to no verticle growth. I use voodo juice during this period to enhance root growth. Than when the plant gets to be the size of a basketball I throw her into flower. Within two weeks the plant will grow 2-3 feet and the buds go crazy. That extra time in the big pot for root growth only works great here for me. Good luck

Light House said:

I transplant once: soil I go from an airpot or equivalent in your case then into a 5 gal 2 weeks before bloom.

Personally my airpots don't even get untied the whole pot is submerged to prevent stress the air pruned roots now go nuts in the 5 gal. I am getting huge...huge plants from this.

I highly suggest less to reduce risk = greater plant success rates = profit$ or maybe profit to you is

Click to expand...

hmm I've just found out about airpots
I think I like the concept, they look more intuitive for transplantation. But what do you mean you don't untie them? You place the airpots as they are into the pot and then fill the pot up? By the way, I have a soil medium in mind, I don't know if you mean hydro

ps profit for me is getting high enough so I can "kiss the sky"

sensisensai said:

Always enjoyed these threads they always into amusing arguments. I go from solo cup to five gallon smart pots. Call me lazy but last time I checked nature didn't transplant so I feel like I'm overdoing it as is. I wouldn't at all if I could afford enough soil to throw them all into 5 gallons at once.

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smart pots...another new concept for me today
I also thought that, that there is no transplantations in nature, but on the other hand the earth is a freaking huge pot haha

chrishydro said:

I let my seedling stretch on purpose in the solo cup until it bends over. Than i put it right in the end pot and when I do I plant it all the way down just two inches below the first set of leaves. Burry the whole thing. It will sit there for weeks before it begins to grow up. The roots go crazy and until they reach the end of the pot there is little to no verticle growth. I use voodo juice during this period to enhance root growth. Than when the plant gets to be the size of a basketball I throw her into flower. Within two weeks the plant will grow 2-3 feet and the buds go crazy. That extra time in the big pot for root growth only works great here for me. Good luck

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I'd never think about stretching seedlings on purpose, but you say you have good results, well that shows that mj is as resilient as they come; a true weed!

I lst from the second they pop up. Have u checked out nug buckets thread on mainlining? Its a great guide if ur looking to utilize every inch of space and light. By far the best how to I've read on training. Very easy to follow.

Here are some more pros/cons.

Planting right into big pots Cons:

Soil takes longer to dry out. (You can adapt by only watering a small amount at the base of the plant. The roots usually only extend the width of the plant)
Fertilizers build up in untapped areas causing burn down the road. (Same as above)

Big Pot Pros:

Less stress
Less work

Transplant Cons:
Typically skinnier plants with limited space for horizontal growth (Overcome by fim/lst/topping)
Stress

Transplant Pros:

Root system is more developed on the inner core of the pot.
Faster dry out times.
Less chance of salt buildup in unused areas.

sensisensai said:

I lst from the second they pop up. Have u checked out nug buckets thread on mainlining? Its a great guide if ur looking to utilize every inch of space and light. By far the best how to I've read on training. Very easy to follow.

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many thanks, it looks very useful, I've just found it. I also intent to utilize lst as early as possible (height is an annoying issue and I want to control it)

Opm said:

Here are some more pros/cons.

Planting right into big pots Cons:

Soil takes longer to dry out. (You can adapt by only watering a small amount at the base of the plant. The roots usually only extend the width of the plant)
Fertilizers build up in untapped areas causing burn down the road. (Same as above)

Big Pot Pros:

Less stress
Less work

Transplant Cons:
Typically skinnier plants with limited space for horizontal growth (Overcome by fim/lst/topping)
Stress

Transplant Pros:

Root system is more developed on the inner core of the pot.
Faster dry out times.
Less chance of salt buildup in unused areas.

Click to expand...

nice break down, thanks! it seems transplant is worth the trouble
I also want to eliminate any chance of burning...I'm kind of worried about this happening as I'm not experienced with nutes

a bit off-topic, but I checked on airpots and smartpots and I'm convinced they offer significant advantages over a traditional plastic pot. They make transplanting easier, too.

The problem is you can't make cheap diy airpots unless you have a 3d printer cause you need that arrangement with the cones. Simply drilling holes won't do the trick. I'm now looking into diy smartpots (I'm willing to buy but I doubt I will find them in my area)

Lmk if u find a good alternative. I used reusable grocery bags with some success. Didn't achieve the overall idea and only held about 2 gallons. But I'm sure it worked to some degree.