Time to transplant?

I have a 3 gal smart pot, but being the noob that I am I only filled it half way full and now I think my plant is starting to get root bound. If you guys could give me some advice that'd be awesome!

Based off your information I would get ready to transplant. Doing so now probably wouldn't hurt either. If you are in about 1.5 gallons (since you said you only filled the 3 gallons up half way) your plant will be needing some more room soon based off it's current size. It looks healthy now, don't let it get bound.

Could I take out my plant and then fill the container the rest of the way then put the plant back in?

I don't want to tell you yes as I have never done that specifically, but I will say that the process you are speaking of shouldn't be any different than transplanting into a different pot. So, if it was me, it should be fine and I would try the way you are speaking of.

Okay cool, I watered today should I transplant tomorrow?

yes, I like to get the medium dry before transplant. It will make it easier to stick together when you pull it out.

Okay, thanks!

StickyKitty said:

Okay cool, I watered today should I transplant tomorrow?

Click to expand...

Let it dry out a bit first

StickyKitty said:

Could I take out my plant and then fill the container the rest of the way then put the plant back in?

Click to expand...

I personally doubt that plant is root bound yet but if it is and you can lift a solid root ball out then yes what you are talking about should work just fine. Also let it dry a bit first as these others have suggested. Wet soil will fall apart destroying roots in the process.

How dry should I get it?

From what I've read about taking the smart pots off it could be tricky to get back on. It could crumble as you work the fabric back around it. It'd be simple in a solid pot. I'd have a bigger pot on hand in case it doesn't go to plan.

Oh okay. Better be safe than sorry though

I have a 5 gal smart pot, should that work?

Providing the circumference is bigger then yeah.

If your going to try put it back in the same one then measure how much height there is from the soil now to the top of the pot, then that's how high you fill it with new soil.

If you got the space and can veg a bit longer then you'd be better up sizing anyway.

Got it! They wake up in 4 hours so in going to see if the soil is dry enough

Good luck, dude.

I've never transplanted one that wasn't root bound before, but my 3 gal smart pots have the same circumference as my 5 gal, just not as deep.
When I transplant I let it dry completely out(happens fast when they get bound) then pull the edges of the pot away while working my hands slowly around the mound to free it from the pot. Then once it's out I take a blade and slice top to bottom on 4 sides and loosen the roots up with my hand that isn't holding the base of the stem, not roughly ripping, just some gentle tickleing and shaking to narrow the mass up a bit so it will fit in its new home, I pre fill the new pot with a few inches of medium and water it, then drop in the plant, add more coco and pearlite mix to fill to top, then water, done.

Your over thinking it. Just tip the pot upside down and hold the plant by the steam at the soil base. Put it down once out and fill the rest of the pot with whatever medium your using. Add plant back and you're done.

Also like any plant you should transplant in the evening. So just before lights go off.

I don't know if the soil will hold together. I'm scared it will just fall apart