start them in smaller pots in the beginning,just for the ease of handling...use this time to get ready for them to get bigger,and for getting your flowering area ready...transplant to your bigger pots when the plants are a foot tall,DO NOT clean the soil off of the roots,matter of fact,I try to keep the entire shape of the small pot,they will grow out....I have read where some growers just cut the bottom out of the starter pot,and bury the whole thing into the bigger pot....sorry for the long post