Why start small?

[PapaOscarTango]

I've always wondered why it is always suggested to start your seedlings in a small pot, then transplant them into bigger pots as they grow. Why not just start them in their final resting place, and save yourself the trouble of transplanting (and possible mishap or lost time from transplant shock)?

 

[unclefishstick]

gradual up-potting causes the root mass to grow more prolifically,when you plunk a small plant down in a large pot the roots have a tendency to stay confined to a small area because most people water at the base of the plant rather than around it so the roots stay where the water is....so,when you allow a small plant to grow to the point it has filled its container with roots but hasnt gotten root bound the roots tend to explode in new growth when up-potted...

 

[PapaOscarTango]

Thanks, Uncle Fishstick. If one is aware of that, can you take care to water away from the plant and get the same/similar results? I'm pretty good at a veggie garden and trees, and I know that you're supposed to water away from the trunk, out to the width of the foliage/tree branches, because that's where the smaller roots are that do most of the heavy lifting, so to speak.

 

[Iraganji]

Sometimes small plants roots aren't developed enough to drink from too large a containers medium and will stay wet too long. I use 16oz beer cups for seedlings and rooted clones until they are nearly pot bound. Usually there is one more up potting after that before they end up in their final pot.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

I've planted seeds in three gallon pots and had the roots grow straight down and circle round the bottom without exploring anywhere else. By gradually stepping up you build a root mass that utilizes all the available space within the container.

 

[PapaOscarTango]

Thanks, Iraganji. What size are your second stage pots? How do you know when they are pot bound?

 

[PapaOscarTango]

Thanks, CR. What affect did that have on the plants themselves? Did it limit their vegetative growth in any way?

 

[habeeb]

there are many reasons to utilize small

-waterlogged - roots like air, and takes forever to dry out a pot
-waste of space, if you learn to grow plants well, you can grow more for less, most growers think they can grow well just adding fresh "soil" instead of really learning how to care for a plant long term.
-I would switch to coco when you want / if you ever want. way more plant growth vs. peat
-being aware. most people grow moms to big, veg plants to big, even flower plants to big. growing smaller allows you to really maximize your space, use less watts / less water / less nutes / less waste / less labor / less impact across the board..


when your ready if you ever are, check into bonsai moms...




have fun whatever you do.

 

[Herbophile]

Those guys covered it. I personally go solo beer cup -> 1 gallon -> 3 gallon. I try to up pot to the 3 gallon a week or so before flower.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Thanks, CR. What affect did that have on the plants themselves? Did it limit their vegetative growth in any way?

The plants weren't impressive. There likely were other factors as well. But I'm making it a point to pay attention to my root development come harvest and trying to relate this information to my growing habits. Seems you want the biggest most fully developed root system, with the greatest surface area available for nutrient absorption, to get the biggest most fully developed plant.

 

[PapaOscarTango]

Thanks, everyone. Good info.

I was going for big plants to get big harvest to get enough to last until next year (outdoor shed grow, only three containers). I read you need a gallon for each foot of plant height, so I went with 5-gallon containers.

Maybe I should cut those down to 3 gallons and go for short and fat/bushy, maybe train them to grow horizontal.

habeeb, I'll check into bonsai. I don't know what a "mom" is, though...

 

[Herbophile]

Here is a thread with a lot of good information on Bonsai Moms. Moms are just a single plant you keep around to keep the genetics going and/or to take clones for perpetual harvests.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=31919

Lots of people grow in 5 gallon and even bigger. It's really a matter of grow style and that is really something you'll have to find what works for you. Generally though, bigger roots, bigger plants, bigger yields. Just remember that you're really growing roots, not plants.

 

[PapaOscarTango]

Wow, great thread on bonsai. It looks like the emphasis is to have a source for clones, but it doesn't mention using them for flowering and bud production. Since I live in a cooler clime, I have a limited groing season, and I don't think I'd be able to keep a mom around through winter. Are bonsai the right thing for me?

 

[supermanlives]

no reason but space for me