General rules on transplanting?

Hi all,

I want to make sure I dont do anything stupid my first time around. Right now I have some plants in pots about double the size of the plastic cups I see a lot of people here using. They are about 2 weeks old now and are working on their 3rd set of leaves (it looks like the first set of TRUE leaves). They are about 2 1/2 inches tall.

What are some general rules for determining when to transplant?


My original plan was to use these small pots for germinating, then move up to a 1/4 gallon pot at the 2-3 week mark. Then do a final transplant into a 1 gallon at week 5-6.

Is it ok to transplant once they are in flower cycle or should I do it before I change the cycle? Are 1 gallon pots big enough? If I remember my reading, if the plant gets too big for the pot (root bound), it will just stop growing in size correct? It will not die?

Sorry for all the questions, I think I got everything under control, just need a little advice on transplannting.

Thanks,
-bwbig

Use super-thrive whenever you transplant, especially if your transplanting root-bound plants, it relives stress/shock and helps the root system become established.

Yeah, I read through all those articles, some of them contridicted themselves. They were also semi vague in some areas. Thats why I posted the question.

For instance, in one article it says when roots are showing at the bottom of the pot its time to transplant, yet in the next paragraph it says that roots at the bottom doesnt indicate its time to transplant and you need to go by watering schedule (5 times a week wattering then you need to transplant)... Another says to transplant about every 2 weeks during veg, then later in another article it advises to not transplant every 2 weeks.

The article also mentioned the use of 5 GALLON pots. Do I really need a 5 gallon pot for a plant thats going to get 2' 1/2" - 3' in length? Will a 1 gallon suffice, with nutes, HPS light?

I was hoping for a bit more detailed info from the vet's in here.

Like any kind of 'tricks' or 'general rules' they have learned from their expirences so far.
(Like First I use a 6" pot until X weeks old or until you start to notice XXX, then I switch to a X" pot for another amount of time, etc....)

I just want to make sure my babies have the best care available to them =)

Thanks in advance,
-Bwbig

honestly i personally dont think transplanting is bad for the plant at all. alot of people say it is, but oyu gotta remember to treat it liek a baby and if you do it aint bad. but when to do it youre will probably be able 1 foot tall, cause i start mine i solo plastic cups and they get about 8-9 inches before i do, so maybe even like 1.5' for you. good luck bro

yeah im just always gentle while transplanting and nothing ever has happened

You do have to transplant, but it is stressful on the plant. I usually water them with MaxiCrop Seaweed to help with stress, and root growth, right after wards. Super-thrive works too though.

I also water them the day before the transplant. This makes it easier to get them out of the planter. One, two taps, and poof shes outta there!

You want the plant to fill the (smaller) pot, than transplant it, this makes for a much happier and healthier plant than simply dumping her into a huge pot from the get-go. This way, she gets the oxygen she needs, and builds a proper root mass.

You are correct BwBig, a 5 gallon pot is very large indeed for a plant that size. Check my journal, but I believe I finished up in like 8" pots last time.

I'd say transplanting into the final pots at the time of going 12/12 or (preferrably) a week to 2 before going 12/12 is best for newcomers. It all depends upon your transplanting skills. If your plants often experience transplant shock, making the last transplant a couple weeks before going 12/12 allows time to recover. If your plants rarely are shocked after transplant it'll be no problem.

I'd plan on a 3 gallon for your final pot size.

I hope this helps you.
Peace

eastlosg1 said:

yeah im just always gentle while transplanting and nothing ever has happened

Click to expand...

i agree, a good transplant will put little stress on a plant

Thanks for the reply Vid. That was very helpful info.

I read your grow as well (you used the same pots I am for seedlings, but mine are clay), and it seems my test subject (I transplanted one to see what would happen) was transplanted too early. Its been almost a week and the water meter still shows it 'wet', so I suspect I wont have to water it again for another 5-6 days, which could possibly induce root rot (and is not the most optimal way? too much water == not enough O2?) correct?

Is there a rule like if you have to water your plants every X days, the pot size is too big? I assume its bad to only water your plant every 2 weeks (would that indicate too big of a pot I assume)?

Also, the one I transplanted, its sets of leaves are perky from like 6:00am - 7:00pm, then they start to droop a little bit, but in the morning they are back to being perky again. Its not very droopy, but you can see the difference. Is this normal for a plant?

So many little things to learn your first time around (been wanting to do this since I was a kid in high school) =)

Thanks,
-bwbig

Click on this site full of useful info just about transplanting. https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=category&id=86

I dont think you read my first reply Mogie