Over potting. Need advice.

[mellow j]

Hey guys,

I've always started my plants out in solo cups, then up potted to 1 gal, then to 3 gal.

This time around, I tried some new things.
One of them being, going from solo cups, straight to 3 gal pots.
Kepts them dry for a week, then like an idiot nood fed them full on volume.
I had one that I went from cup to a 5 gal smart pot.

They were all drying slow, but the one in the smart pot stayed super heavy.

I felt around for roots in all the soil in all of them, and sont feel any.
So I took the plant out of the 5 gal bag, and my root ball was only the size of a one gal pot!
Inside the grow bag I removed the loose soil only to find 3 inches of pack mud at the bottom!

I left it there and threw the bag and mud away. With the remaining loose soil, I re potted her into a 3 gall pot and im letting them dry out.

I massaged the root ball to help it, till I had the bottom of it with dangling roots. Then I potted it down to a 3.

It had some brown roots.
Root rot no dought.

Due to low funds, my soil consists of 12 quarts of happyfrog, about 20 quarts starter soil, and about 40% pperlite, with about 4 pounds of EWC.

Last night, they were light as hell in weight so I gave them a cup of water at the stalk, and watered about 2 cups in a ring
around the outer well edge, in hopes the roots would stretch out to find water at the edges.
They've been under a mh 400 for a month. I topped once, and im lsting them to.

They don't lokk sick, but I don't know where to go from here.

Any advice would be super appreciated...
Oh btw, I have 2 Afghani #1s in 2 gall pots. I have there fan leaves tucked to get light into undergrowth. They look retarded but its working. The one in the 3 gal are Bubba Kush, and Northern lights by big bud.
Peace

 

[T.H.Cammo]

Don't "massage" the root ball. Don't try to feel the roots. They're plants - not tits!

 

[mellow j]

Don't "massage" the root ball. Don't try to feel the roots. They're plants - not tits!

Damn man, I already did. I replanted them. They were all compressed in a mud ball! I gave one cup of water at the stalk. Im picking up some super thrive today. Do ya think I should wait for the cup of water I poured to dry before hitting them with ST so I dont over water, or could I mix a gallon of Super Thrive and pour a cup of it at the stalk now?

 

[bigsteve]

You had a good program going from solo to 1-gal to 3-gal. No reason to switch.

BigSteve.

 

[mellow j]

You had a good program going from solo to 1-gal to 3-gal. No reason to switch.

BigSteve.

Hey BigSteve,
I know I screwed up. The price I pay for experimenting. I never had a problem going, solo, 1gal, 3 gal.

Would you be able to advice me on what can be done now?

 

[WeedFreak78]

Roots get brown in dirt..I doubt it was root rot..never heard of that in soil unless the plant is DEAD. Nothing wrong with what you did to the roots, anyone that knows about transplanting cuts or fluffs the roots before transplanting. Everything probably would have been fine if you didn't over water..I go from sprout right to a 5 gal bucket sometimes, i just water with a small cup until it gets bigger. Always water in a circle 2-3" larger than the plant so your wetting the soil around the plant, not where the roots are..it will force the roots to spread looking for water.

 

[bigsteve]

"Would you be able to advice me on what can be done now? "

I generally leave my new seedlings in the solo cup until that plant is at least as tall as the cup. Then they go into a one-gallon pot until the large fans hang over the side of the pot. Don't bother TP'ing a plant until the largest fans do hang over the pot. Until then they are still laying down the root mass. So, I would go back to the solo- 1 gal., and 3 gallon routine while using the metrcs above as a guide as to when to TP.

Good luck, BigSteve.

 

[mellow j]

Roots get brown in dirt..I doubt it was root rot..never heard of that in soil unless the plant is DEAD. Nothing wrong with what you did to the transplanted was loosenanyone that knows about transplanting cuts or fluffs the roots before transplanting. Everything probably would have been fine if you didn't over water..I go from sprout right to a 5 gal bucket sometimes, i just water with a small cup until it gets bigger. Always water in a circle 2-3" larger than the plant so your wetting the soil around the plant, not where the roots are..it will force the roots to spread looking for water.

Hey Weedfreak 78,
Thanks for the reply good Sir!

I am hoping you can maybe point me in the right direction.
I freed the roots, because when I carefully dug out the ball, it was like
it was root bound around itself, around a mud ball. I realized my mistakes, but ive been busting my ass training the bubba and the Northern lights, and would be crushed if I loose them! The way I transplanted, was untangled the bound root ball, filled my pot with new moist dirt, with a hole in the center about a foot deep. Thats how long the roots were. The I gently back filled. Then I poured one cup of distilled water around the stalk.

What I'd love to know is this if you will, I'm going pick up a botte of Super Thrive in a couple of hours. Mix it in a gal of water, then pour a cup of it under the stalk. That shouldn't be too much water do you think. I'm so cautious before I do anything now. Do you think this is agood thing? Also I stopped nutes for now on those two. Im watching for new growth. They look healthy, just stunted. Everything else is on point. Temps, humidity, ph.

I plan on flowering in 2 weeks. Think they might be ready then?

Also, when shoul I give them there final Grow Big, Big Bloom feeding?

Thank you for taking time out of your life to help me brother.
Here are some pics the day after transplant. First one in the Northern lights in 3 gal green pot. Second one ismy Bubba Kush in the other green 3 gal, and I have two Afghani #1s in the black 2 gal pots. Those are kicking ass.

If you could please take a crack and try to answe my questions on what to do now, I'd appreciate it sir.

Thanks for your time and wisdom

 

[WeedFreak78]

Hey Weedfreak 78,
Thanks for the reply good Sir!

I am hoping you can maybe point me in the right direction.
I freed the roots, because when I carefully dug out the ball, it was like
it was root bound around itself, around a mud ball. I realized my mistakes, but ive been busting my ass training the bubba and the Northern lights, and would be crushed if I loose them! The way I transplanted, was untangled the bound root ball, filled my pot with new moist dirt, with a hole in the center about a foot deep. Thats how long the roots were. The I gently back filled. Then I poured one cup of distilled water around the stalk.

That sounds good..you did it right.

What I'd love to know is this if you will, I'm going pick up a botte of Super Thrive in a couple of hours. Mix it in a gal of water, then pour a cup of it under the stalk. That shouldn't be too much water do you think. I'm so cautious before I do anything now. Do you think this is agood thing? Also I stopped nutes for now on those two. Im watching for new growth. They look healthy, just stunted. Everything else is on point. Temps, humidity, ph.

Don't give any water unless the soil is dry, i usually look for bone dry in the first inch or so. Especially after a transplant..it might take awhile for the plant to start drinking again. The Superthrive will probably help, some people think it's snake oil..IDK i always use it when i transplant into my outdoor veggie garden and I NEVER get any droop, fade,shock,etc. But i also do a root soak in a large container of Superthive and water before i transplant anything. Follow the instruction, or go lass, it's strong stuff, and stop using it about a week or two before you go into flower and not in flower at all. Keeping the roots well hydrated during transplants will stop most issues.

I plan on flowering in 2 weeks. Think they might be ready then?

Probably..that's hard to say from here. As long as everything stays in check and they are growing..sure.

Also, when shoul I give them there final Grow Big, Big Bloom feeding?

IDK, follow the manufactures directions, maybe only go 1/2-3/4 strength..this is the big learning curve..learning to watch your plants and figure out what they need.

Thank you for taking time out of your life to help me brother.

One Love

I try to help where i can..

 

[mellow j]

That sounds good..you did it right.



Don't give any water unless the soil is dry, i usually look for bone dry in the first inch or so. Especially after a transplant..it might take awhile for the plant to start drinking again. The Superthrive will probably help, some people think it's snake oil..IDK i always use it when i transplant into my outdoor veggie garden and I NEVER get any droop, fade,shock,etc. But i also do a root soak in a large container of Superthive and water before i transplant anything. Follow the instruction, or go lass, it's strong stuff, and stop using it about a week or two before you go into flower and not in flower at all. Keeping the roots well hydrated during transplants will stop most issues.

Probably..that's hard to say from here. As long as everything stays in check and they are growing..sure.

IDK, follow the manufactures directions, maybe only go 1/2-3/4 strength..this is the big learning curve..learning to watch your plants and figure out what they need.



I try to help where i can..

Ok. Thanks bro. So I gave jer a measured vup of water at just the stalk. I was gonna treat it with super thrive today to reduce shock, and promote root growth. I was gonna mix a milla litre in a gallon af water and pour a measured cup at the stalk over the roots. In your opinion, would that cause over watering at that volume?

 

[undercovergrow]

i would not recommend the super thrive with cannabis. give the girls a break-they look fine. follow your plan of vegging them for a bit longer and let them concentrate on their root system.

 

[WeedFreak78]

Ok. Thanks bro. So I gave jer a measured vup of water at just the stalk. I was gonna treat it with super thrive today to reduce shock, and promote root growth. I was gonna mix a milla litre in a gallon af water and pour a measured cup at the stalk over the roots. In your opinion, would that cause over watering at that volume?

Superthrive should be mixed at one DROP per gallon..it's powerful stuff. As long as the soil is dry you can water..if it's still moist don't water. I usually wait till i see a little droop in the leaves before i water. More frequent smaller waterings are the best, having the plant go through wet/dry cycles promotes root growth and a healthier plant.. I've gone as far a a shot glass of water ( approximately 1 OZ) every few hours on small plants.

 

[mellow j]

[QUOT"WeedFreak78, post: 11695122, member: 196899"]Superthrive should be mixed at one DROP per gallon..it's powerful stuff. As long as the soil is dry you can water..if it's still moist don't water. I usually wait till i see a little droop in the leaves before i water. More frequent smaller waterings are the best, having the plant go through wet/dry cycles promotes root growth and a healthier plant.. I've gone as far a a shot glass of water ( approximately 1 OZ) every few hours on small plants.[/QUOTE]
Great Info sir,
So I watered 1 cup at the stalk. Yesterday. Its still damp, not wet. Can I add 1 cup of super thrive, and be safe from over watering?

 

[Indagrow]

Be cautious with ST it will drag out veg times and reduce flowering rates if applied in flower.

Don't over love your plants let them Calm down your doing a lot to them let them catch up to each thing you have done.. If something goes wrong it could be x amount of things and hard to track.. If you do one thing at a time and let the plant recover you can actually see what you are doing and it's effects

 

[WeedFreak78]

I'd wait another day personally, like i said i always err on the side of too dry..if it's still moist it's good. Even if you do let it go too long and it wilts a little..it'll pop right back.

 

[WeedFreak78]

Be cautious with ST it will drag out veg times and reduce flowering rates if applied in flower.

Don't over love your plants let them Calm down your doing a lot to them let them catch up to each thing you have done.. If something goes wrong it could be x amount of things and hard to track.. If you do one thing at a time and let the plant recover you can actually see what you are doing and it's effects

Yup..being in soil it can take days for an issue to show and just as long to know if you corrected it. Be patient, only do one thing at a time so you know what is making a difference and what isn't...when in doubt..wait a day before doing anything and see what the plant is doing. I've had a few instances when i saw what looked like an early deficiency or lockout,etc,etc and I just let it go for another day or two and it fixed itself. I think many people try to fix it themselves at the first sign, either masking or causing more problems.

 

[mellow j]

Be cautious with ST it will drag out veg times and reduce flowering rates if applied in flower.

Don't over love your plants let them Calm down your doing a lot to them let them catch up to each thing you have done.. If something goes wrong it could be x amount of things and hard to track.. If you do one thing at a time and let the plant recover you can actually see what you are doing and it's effects

Right on sir. Got it! Wait gor the moisture to dry up, which isn't much water, but on the sife of caution, I'll wait until I dries up yhenhit Iit with ST.

 

[mellow j]

Yup..being in soil it can take days for an issue to show and just as long to know if you corrected it. Be patient, only do one thing at a time so you know what is making a difference and what isn't...when in doubt..wait a day before doing anything and see what the plant is doing. I've had a few instances when i saw what looked like an early deficiency or lockout,etc,etc and I just let it go for another day or two and it fixed itself. I think many people try to fix it themselves at the first sign, either masking or causing more problems.

Hey my brotha,
Thanks for the advice. I was under the impression that Super Thrive is to reduce transplant shock. Amongst other things. I'm just nervous to add it today, when I transplanted yrsterday and put only a coup of water at the stalk. I wanna give them a cup of ST today to get them going again. It's still moist a finger depth by the stalk. The rest of the soil is dry as a desert.
Thought about carefully pulling the plant back out and mix the moist dirt and dry soil together, then repot then hit with st to eliminate over watering and get her rolling again. I'm kinda nervous about doing that though. If I just add a cup of st as the plant is at the stalk, would that help or hurt? Then, when should I resume feeding. Im using Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Calmag

 

[WeedFreak78]

Superthrive is a mainly B1 vitamin, it can help to reduce shock but for now, Leave it alone.. Don't dig it up again..if i was there I'd be slapping your damn hands..water it tomorrow with a cup of water/ST. I can't help on the feeding, when I'm in soil i don't usually add nutes.. i mix a well balanced soil. You need more patience...go meditate or something.

 

[Indagrow]

Stop taking the plant out of the pot man... RELAX

If the soil is dry on the bottom try just putting it in another larger pot and letting it absorb water from below... I do that just for ease of watering and to force the root ball to grow in search of water