Quick Question about Transplanting Seedlings

[newgroer420]

I've got 10 seedlings in 3 inch Jiffy pots right now. They are all about 3in tall and most have a root poking out the bottom of the pot. The soil dries out pretty quick, so I would love to be able to transplant them into the 1.5QT pots I bought. Is it too soon? Is there any reason I should wait. They are about a week old now.

 

[JJScorpio]

If the roots are coming out you can transplant. I would suggest a 16 ounce plastic cup next so the soil doesnt get overwatered and you can see root development. Wait a day after you transplant them and water them lightly....

Before you transplant, wet the bottom of the peatpot and carefully tear just the bottom off. It takes a long time for the peat to break down and I think it inhibits root growth.

 

[newgroer420]

Great. Thanks for the advice. How long would you say they need to be in the 16oz before they're ready to move up to the 48oz I bought (approx)? or would you go straight from there to 1 gal?

 

[JJScorpio]

They will fill that out in a couple more weeks. Be sure to poke some drainholes in the cup. I would go straight from the clear cup to the 1 gallon....

 

[Deft]

I would go straight into the large size, its what I have always done.

I like doing that because then I dont have to mess with the grwoing root system in an additional transplant!

 

[newgroer420]

I am considering that Deft, especially since I intend to go SOG for this grow since I have limited space and my light source isn't the best. I won't be vegging for very long, so I'm thinking the one tp now and then one tp a week before I flower is all I'll be able to pull off.

 

[Guest]

Two transplants should really be the absolute minimum,not transplanting and throwing them into a large container does not help the root system at all,it wont be nearly as extensive as if you had transplanted.Ideally,you'd want to increase soil volume by about 25% each transplant,especially the last one in late veg before flowering.If you go directly into your flowering pot with that little seedling the roots will grow along the side wasting all the soil in the middle,theis is where roots out the drainholes comes into play.I would definatelt transplant once before going to your final container,thats about the minimum for a decent root system.Thats what I di,from 2 pint I let the plant grow large until the rootball fills the container then I transplant to 2 gallon,thats a big jump if you dont let your seedling grow into the starting pot really well.Then a week or so before 12/12 I'll transplant from 2 gal(NSI classic 600) to 3 gal (NSI classic 1200),its only about a 25% increase plenty for the "stretch".I tried 5 gallon (NSI classic 2000)and it was overkill for my largest plantsEDIT To give you an idea how I let my rootballs fill the conatiners before transplant when I transplant from 2 gal to 3 gal before going 12/12,my plants are 25-30 inches in height.Dont transplant too early,thats the key