Are these pots big enough?

[Jnugg]

I have two Chrystal Bagseed females that are are almost into 3 weeks of flower and they are starting to get rootbound and choke them selves out from the bottom up.

I know it's not a pH problem becuase my soils pH is steady 6.0-6.5 and all water and water nute solution pH's are corrected to 6.5-7.0.

I have been following the 12 soil feeding schedule from Fox Farm using all additivess and nutes except for Big Bloom.The other day I ferted with a mix of 2 teasppons Grow Big 2 teaspoons Tiger Bloom and 1/4 teaspooon Open seasame instead of beastie bloomz.The plants have been responding very well to the 12 week FF feeding schedule.

I have two classic 2000's (5 gallon rigid black plastic pots) to transplant into and my plants are currently in 3 gallon rigid black plastic pots.

Chrystals flowering period is 9-10 weeks and I am already 3 weeks in so will the 5 gallons be a good choice and hold them for another 6-7 weeks?

Could I fit larger containers in my c13?There are pics attached to show the two 5 gallons sitting in my c13,how much bigger can I go with two pots in my space (be sure to take into account my passive intakes please)?

 

[Opt1983]

Wow, your plants must be pretty big if they are already outgrowing 3 gallon buckets. 5 should do you plenty, me personally i'd never go above 3 gallons unless i was growing trees...but if they are rootbound, they are rootbound. If your gonna transplant i suggest you do it very very soon, 3 weeks in is about the latest i'd recommend u transplanting. -Opt

 

[JJScorpio]

It would be wise to finish in the 5 gallon pails. They are about the same diameter but the are deeper. Make sure you work the base of the roots and be sure to add the dolomite lime. Good looking plants.

 

[Jnugg]

They are pretty damn rootbound.Heres pics...both plants rootballs are extremely similar.

 

[Maj.PotHead]

i know ya allready have the round 1's pots but for future referance square containers are a more efficient use of the space and will allow for better placement under the lighting. ya get more little squares in a large square like your cab then round pegs

 

[Jnugg]

So judging by the pics of the rootballs do you guys/gals think a 5 gallon is my best choice?I have atleast another 5-7 weeks to go till harvest.


Majpothead,you're absolutely right only this time I was on a major budget crunch so every penny had to be used sparingly.


Total cost for setup including 4" and 2 1/4" holesaws was about $500 or less.
Payed about $100 for the original C13,and with my luck when I went to the store to buy a new 400w HPS a guy is trying to sell his back to the store.They cjecked it out,perfect working condition,they were going to give him $40 or $50 for the ballast,lampcord/socket and bulb (which was used only 4 months accord. to shop owners and guy) and I offerd $75 so that got me my 400w HPS ballast!!

That brings cost to $175.

SunGro reflector by sunlight supply (used) $60.
Eco Plus 4" 170cfm inline centrifugal = $145
Fox Farm Grow Big & Tiger Bloom = $30
Fox Farm Open Seasame,Beastie Bloomz & Cha-Ching = Free (each a full trial packet)

Five 16.5 fl. oz. water bottles = fee
Two 2 liter soda bottles = free
Two 3 Gallon Pots = free
Two 5 gallon pots= $1
Two bags Jungle Growth Potting soil/mix no fertilizer added = $15
One bag powdered Dolomitic Lime/Agricultural Limestone = $4
One 8' x 4" dryer hose ducting = $8
Four 2" x 16" PVC tubing for passive intakes & 2" 90 degree elbows = $8

Estimated cost total = $446.00

not bad if you ask me!
thoughts on the 5 gallon with these gnar gnar rootballs!

 

[FunkBomb]

Square pots would be ideal for you but they are harder to find in the gallon increments like the circlular nursury pots. Im flowering 3 Ice's now in 3 gallon pots and im sure im in the same situation as you. I dont have space for 5 gallons and im at day 34 so there is no use. If you do transplant, be really careful. The plants will be floppy from bud weight. I almost broke a plant going from 1.5 gallons to 3


Funk

 

[Jnugg]

Cool thanks JJScorpio and everyone.

I'll mix up some jungle growth and add about 2tbs of Dol Lime per gallon of jungle growth because pH of JG is 5.5-60 out the bag and has loads of aged pine bark and sphagnum peat moss which overtime can drop soils pH drasticlly.2 tbs of dol lime sound good to you guys?


Also,should I try and "loosen" the root ball at all or is their too much of a chance of shock from doing that?

 

[4iiii'z]

into 3 weeks of flower

transplanting now could alter your timeline

 

[JJScorpio]

Thats should be per gallon of soil. You will add about 2 1/2 gallons by the time you loosen the bottom 3 inches of the roots. 4 tbs will be good. To loosen the base of the roots just pretend that you are tickling them and work the soil out. You are not going to shock those roots very easily.....

 

[Jnugg]

One last question,should I flush before/after transplanting and then when the medium drys water with 1/2 strength bloom/veg fert?

 

[Maj.PotHead]

Square pots would be ideal for you but they are harder to find in the gallon increments like the circlular nursury pots. Im flowering 3 Ice's now in 3 gallon pots and im sure im in the same situation as you. I dont have space for 5 gallons and im at day 34 so there is no use. If you do transplant, be really careful. The plants will be floppy from bud weight. I almost broke a plant going from 1.5 gallons to 3


Funk

actually i shoulda included this in my last reply a 5 gal square trash bin works perfect it will say 20 quart on the side also i like to drill extra drainage holes in bottom and the side's i drill holes about every 2 -- 3 inch in all sides of the trash bin. this allows for great root aireation and helps soil to dry faster g/l grow on buddy. when ya transplant the new soil should have enough nutes for about 2 wks and your plants should start to not yellow so much. what ya see now should be happening the last wk or 2 of the grow.

my last grow and harvest was 2 plants in a 22 gal rubbermaid each had 11 gal of soil . when i started them was in 2 inch peate cups then planted into top of 2 liter soda bottle after 2 weeks into 1 gal milk just after 2 wk into 3 gal square trash bin after 2 wk into the 22 gal rubbermaid. i had 2 fricken huge 11 gal nicely formed rootballs not to packed and not loosed. inside of each was some dirt except the inside 2 rootballs . i got almost 12 oz wet and 8 dry from 2 plants with this equipment

i also found that during my last grow i didnt need any veg nutes as for 1 was transplanting every 2 wks anywho and soil has enough nutes for 2-3 wks just something to think about on your next grow. start off in smaller pots and work upto the desired 1 to finish it in and your rootbound problems should go away