Transplanting Questions

[Bgreenheadband]

Questions about transplanting.

I have heard many mixed ideas about transplanting times. Obviously different things work for different people, who have different goals, but I just wanted to get opinions (and hopefully some facts) to learn whats best for me.


I am using coco, and would like to end up in containers 15-20 gallons. I will be vegging for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months. I will be rooting in a clone machine.

So I am wondering how many times I should transplant, into what size containers, and how many times.

This run my schedule looked something like this

1 gallon from out of the clone machine for about 1 to 1 1/2 months. Transplanted to 7 gallon containers for another month or month and a half when I will transplant to a 15-20 gallon container ( i haven't decided on .my final container size yet...https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=220385)


To achieve big plants, I have read everything from to transplanting every three weeks or so, to transplanting to a 20 gallon container right out of the clone machine.

ANy literature and/or advice?


I have also heard about leaving plants in smaller containers initially to force them to gain height (basically untill they are rootbound...tall and lanky). THen transplant shortly before flower, while bending out and staking the tall and lanky branches. The logic was supposed to be when you flower the plants fill in during the stretch because the height is already there?

thanks for reading and advice.

 

[CannabisDog]

If you have the space then go with the bigger pots from the start, every time you do a transplant it puts the plants into shock, and they take time to recover. Less is better when transplanting.

 

[Phaeton]

I take my clones when they are ready and put them directly into the container they will be harvested in. Other grower's keep the plants and containers matched and transplant up to 3 times, many other differences also but my plants are healthier. We all get smokable results in the end.
In my growing past I have noted that rootbound plants do not ever recover fully. I cut open all my containers and examine the roots and media after harvest. Transplanting a rootbound plant into a larger container allows some growth, but 3 months later when the exam takes place the rootball is in the middle of the larger volume of media and all the extra will still brush off. The roots do not bond to the new soil, the improved growth is just from the moisture working more effectively, not from expanding root growth.

What doesn't kill them makes them weaker, any damage or stunting of a plant when young will stay with it its entire life cycle.