I am going to grow 2 plants in my tent. I have 10 gallon cloth pots that I will fill with good soil. I want to plant one seed per. Is there a good reason why I should not just start the seeds in the 10 gallon pots?
Hi Mark. I've grown weed indoors for 36yrs now, the past 10 legally. I have tried time and time again to start a seed directly in the pot I wanted to finish in with limited success. The consistent problem with starting seeds in a large pot is overwatering. There's just too much soil mix. Plants need to be able to actively use the water they're given from top to bottom of the container. When the container is too big, the top dries first, as always, you water, the water drains down past the active root zone and creates a zone that remains soggy. This constant water logging slowly changes the soil pH by causing an anaerobic zone, the microbial growth changes the soil and water pH, this ends up stunting the growth of the roots when they finally reach this zone. As a result, the plant stalls and shows signs of nutrient deficiency, so more water is added worsening the problem.
From my experience, plants appreciate being able to become root bound for a short period of time before they are transferred to their final containers. Having generous roots also allows the plant almost no transfer shock whatsoever, resulting in more rapid growth. When I start seeds ar home, I always start them in a solo cup and grow them until rootbound, those get transferred to 1 gal pots for 1 month of veg growth,. and then transferred into 3 gal fabric pots for flowering for just over two months. I never have a problem with transfer shock. Literally, never.
You might find too that you'll only need 5 gal fabric pots, at most, for indoor grows.
If you haven't already, I would highly recommend any grow guide from Jorge Cervantes or Ed R. and I love Marijuana Botany from Robert Clarke.
You're welcome, Mark. You can still give it a try. Just water the bag once. No ferts. Plant your seed, and let it grow until it's around a foot tall. A 10 gal bag will provide lots of room for the plants roots to grow before you need to water again.
10 oz clear plastic solo cups? Being able to see the roots and when it is ready to transplant seems like a good idea, but will the light effect the roots?
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Hi Mark. I've grown weed
Hi Mark. I've grown weed indoors for 36yrs now, the past 10 legally. I have tried time and time again to start a seed directly in the pot I wanted to finish in with limited success. The consistent problem with starting seeds in a large pot is overwatering. There's just too much soil mix. Plants need to be able to actively use the water they're given from top to bottom of the container. When the container is too big, the top dries first, as always, you water, the water drains down past the active root zone and creates a zone that remains soggy. This constant water logging slowly changes the soil pH by causing an anaerobic zone, the microbial growth changes the soil and water pH, this ends up stunting the growth of the roots when they finally reach this zone. As a result, the plant stalls and shows signs of nutrient deficiency, so more water is added worsening the problem.
From my experience, plants appreciate being able to become root bound for a short period of time before they are transferred to their final containers. Having generous roots also allows the plant almost no transfer shock whatsoever, resulting in more rapid growth. When I start seeds ar home, I always start them in a solo cup and grow them until rootbound, those get transferred to 1 gal pots for 1 month of veg growth,. and then transferred into 3 gal fabric pots for flowering for just over two months. I never have a problem with transfer shock. Literally, never.
You might find too that you'll only need 5 gal fabric pots, at most, for indoor grows.
If you haven't already, I would highly recommend any grow guide from Jorge Cervantes or Ed R. and I love Marijuana Botany from Robert Clarke.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Thanks Joe.
Thanks Joe.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: taughtbyaliens
You're welcome, Mark. You
You're welcome, Mark. You can still give it a try. Just water the bag once. No ferts. Plant your seed, and let it grow until it's around a foot tall. A 10 gal bag will provide lots of room for the plants roots to grow before you need to water again.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Ever use the "biodegradable"
Ever use the "biodegradable" paper pots? just plant the whole pot when ready to transplant. I'm skeptical.
Not sure why I have been so lazy and not planted yet, but it is kinda like vacation from plant worries I guess.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
10 oz clear plastic solo cups
10 oz clear plastic solo cups? Being able to see the roots and when it is ready to transplant seems like a good idea, but will the light effect the roots?
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> Ever use the "biodegradable
> Ever use the "biodegradable" paper pots?
Once, and they got all moldy. Not sure why, but that was a one-and-done for me.
> 10 oz clear plastic solo cups?
Yeah, like you said, roots don't like light.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: taughtbyaliens
>>>Once, and they got all
>>>Once, and they got all moldy. Not sure why,....
Maybe because they were "biodegradable" ? Bacteria and he fungus among us are always at work, seen or unseen.
Mark, be sure to poke at least 6 holes in the bottom of each cup for drainage. One thing roots hate more than light is being waterlogged.
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Thanks Guys.
Thanks Guys.