Transplant ?..but not the normal one!

[redwood-roots]

Ok I entitled the thread "...not the normal one", because this problem may be a two in one. I've beeen growing in a 6 inch pot for 3 weeks. The plants started from seed in organo plugs and then got moved to FF Ocean Forest a week later. They are under a 400 watt MH and have been getting watered every five days...more like four in the last week, because they are drinking faster. They light has been 15 inches away from the tops at all times.

Now finally my question

I know that the plants are ready for their first feeding because the cotyledons have yellowed and are dying back. Now today I wanted to give them their first feeding of Iguana Juice at a quater strength since the time has come, but I think that I should transplant first. The plants are all 5 to 6 inches tall and seem to be outgrowing their pots. Now I am a first tie grower so I try to follow my signatures' advice. Since I have seemed to diagnose all them problems correctly...and please correct me if I 'm wrong..

My real question is ....

Should I transplant and give them their first feeding in the same day. I know that transplanting alone can stunt growth and cause "shock" ...so would feeding be too much as well. I'm going to let the rootball dry out...well it already is...I know there are different opinons on this..drying vs watering first.

Oh yeah one more question....lol

What size pot should I transplant into next? Like I said they are in a 6 inch now...I don't know how that translates to volume. I would like to move them into a one gallon..is that an 8-inch...10...I think....possibly? I not posting pics in light of the recent events, but all the plants had their branches straight out two days ago and now they are all hanging down....like a christmas tree. Isn't that root-bound?

 

[redwood-roots]

Also should I add a drop or two of Superthrive into the watering after transplant if I don't feed?

 

[Jnugg]

Are roots beggining to pertrude throught hte drain holes yet?

Usually I like to transplant after a light watering of 6.5-7.0 PH R/O water then I just gently roll the plant and rootball out of the container and transplant and wait a few days to a week before feeding.

I would say go ahead and transplant to a 1 gallon container but I think you're better off with a 2 or 3 gallon container becuase if you go from a 6" to a gallon you'll just have to transplant in 2 weeks (or less).

 

[Jnugg]

Super trive or a B1 additive will work good for guarding against transplant shock.

 

[redwood-roots]

So are you suggesting that I water with the Superthrive prior to transplanting? I'll go with a bigger container. I would have went with a 3 gallon before you suggested it..it's just that I notice alot of people on these sites flower in 3 gallon pots. I would like to veg for quite a while seeing as how I have 7 ft ceilings and the plants are so small. You said that the plants wuld outgrow the gallon pots in another week..so how long do you think it would take them to outgrow the 3 gallons?

As far as your question..some of the plants have little root hairs visible from the bottom...but one of them has an extremely long root growing out of the bottom of the pot...maybe an inch and an a half long. Never thought to check under the pots...newbie mistake. So now I have to ask...why does one of the plants have a root system 1 1/2 inches out the pot..while the others are just visible at the drain holes....the plant I'm referring to isn't any larger than the other plants, but was the first to sprout and has continued to be the most vigirous.

 

[Jnugg]

Yes,I (this is what works for me) water with some superthrive and B1 before transplanting .

Take a look at the size of a 6" (are they the 6" square pots?) container and a gallon container.Place the 6" in the gallon and how much room do you have from the outside walls of the 6" pot to the 1 gallon pots inner walls?My guess is not much.


You say they are vegging under a 400w MH.What wattage will they be flowering under?

Are you growing in a room or a closet or prefab cab?Is there anyway you could create a second room or section designated for veg only and then use the original for flowering?

That way you could transplant to a 3 galllon container and veg like you want,take cuutings,root them sex them cull all males smoke the female clones find which you like best kill all others yada yada yada.

 

[redwood-roots]

I don't have the space for a seperate veg/flower room yet. I purchased 10" pots today for them to go into. They are going to flower under a 400w as well. And the 10 inch pot is much deeper than the 6 inch and only slightly bigger going around if that makes sense....meaning it's circumference.


edit: oh and it's a room..not a cab or closet. I will eventually section off the room.

 

[BudGood2006]

I have never once had transplant shock. I let the soil get slightly dry before I transplant, it helps the rootball to stay in one piece. I just support the top of the soil with the palm of my hand, flip the plant over and just slide the container off. Place the rootball carefully in the new pot and fill with soil. And yes, I do fertilize (organic mostly) right after transplanting, usually with a flowering formula at about 1/4 to 1/2 strength, along with either some root stimulator or superthrive, whatever is available to me at the time. Really, everyone has their own methods, it's finding out what works best for you and your style of growing. Hope that helps you out man. Peace...

BudGood

 

[redwood-roots]

I just went and picked up some Superthrive....the pots aren't square their round. I appreciate all the advice Jnugg.

BudGood2006: Your right everyone has their own methods. Monday I'm going to transplant..I need to get more soil. I will water today with distilled water and some superthrive. What concentration would you guys suggest I add the superthrive per gallon?

 

[Jnugg]

Really, everyone has their own methods, it's finding out what works best for you and your style of growing. Hope that helps you out man. Peace...

BudGood

This is so true and a very good bit of advice!It is most deffinately about finding what works best in your situation.

 

[Opt1983]

I've never used super thrive...but someone correct me if im wrong, but i could have swore ive read numerous posts that say only 1 or 2 drops , yes DROPS per gallon. -Opt

 

[Makavellian]

crap i wish i remembered what bog said about transplanting .. somethin about feeding/watering when transplanting and capturing some sort of possible growth spurt ...

 

[redwood-roots]

I've heard 1 or 2 drops per gallon as well...can anybody confirm this?

 

[Mr GreenJeans]

I use 1-2 drops per gallon. The standard strenght is 1 drop / 8 oz cup or one capful / gal. Some plants burn at the standard strenght, ime a little goes a long way.

 

[BudGood2006]

I've heard some people use it at 5-10 drops per gallon, but I'm with GreenJeans, a little goes a long way. No more than a few drops a gallon and you'll be cool. Peace...

 

[1stCropLongGone]

crap i wish i remembered what bog said about transplanting .. somethin about feeding/watering when transplanting and capturing some sort of possible growth spurt .

I havent heard this from bog but I ALWAYS give a regular strength feeding just after the transplant and let me tell you they explode. I look at it like this, why would the roots spread out into soil that has no nutrients, but with the feeding they seem to grow in hours. Its seems like the plant gets real bushy and just looks like me after I get out of my geo and chill in my lazyboy.
I never have transplant shock either IMO because I try to be quick and slick with it.
That makes me feel good that I experience the burst like BOG.

 

[redwood-roots]

I've heard reference to Bog's take on transplanting, but no one has been able to replicate the gist of it so far....

Does anyone have this archived or a link?....Oh and by the way I watered lastnight with 2 drops of Superthrive per gallon and I definitely see a difference today. I don't know if this viatmin should be used all the time, but it as a place amongst my nutes for sure!