To break up root ball or NO?!

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hans6875

Member
i have some 5 week old plants that were left in 3 gal. They are very very root bound. I am transplanting tomorrow as the growth has stunted and they are not up taking, but my dilemma is the root lock and what if I should do anything.

I've read fluff them up a bit and use a product like great white to allow the roots to expand and not continue to choke themselves and things should improve.

Now the other half of the Internet says drop them in as is, don't mess with anything and that will be less shock.

Being they are extremely root locked; what direction would some if you recommend and why...

Thanks for the help
 
BigZcolorado

BigZcolorado

Well-Known Member
If it was me I would lightly break up the bottom couple inches of the root ball to encourage new root growth. In my opinion the stress caused by the root ball is greater than that of transplanting it properly. BUT you need to veg it a little longer. I once transplanted a root bound plant right before flower and it really didn't have a lot of roots outside of the ball one I cropped it. Either way good luck!
 
H

hans6875

Member
BigZcolorado said:
If it was me I would lightly break up the bottom couple inches of the root ball to encourage new root growth. In my opinion the stress caused by the root ball is greater than that of transplanting it properly. BUT you need to veg it a little longer. I once transplanted a root bound plant right before flower and it really didn't have a lot of roots outside of the ball one I cropped it. Either way good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice! Yes I am planning 2-3 more weeks. Growth got really stunted and I need to get them back on the right track.
 
worldsandreams

worldsandreams

Well-Known Member
i always break them up then reinoculate the roots roots wont un-circle unless you make them a little stress is not gonna hurt if they aren't flowering
 
hyroot

hyroot

Well-Known Member
They will be fine if you don't break it up. If you do it will produce a faster growing root structure and a larger root ball.

You don't need to remove much.
 
heckler73

heckler73

Well-Known Member
I actually take a saw to my root-bound plants, cutting off half.
I do that also if I want to regenerate them for another cycle. When I saw how the Dawg would trim his roots during the Party Cups, I was shocked at how little they would be phased from it.
When I started doing it with my plants (regular) they didn't even blink, and in fact loved the new freedom for root growth (never mind the new soil). I recycle the pucks into the compost pile, or my tomato bed outside.
I have not tried it on cannabis, yet. However, since I am doing a micro-DWC, I'm going to probably run into that issue at some point during flower, so it will be an interesting test.
But based on Dawg's work, I don't see a big problem with it, so long as it is done with some care. :mrgreen:
 
J Bleezy

J Bleezy

Well-Known Member
I always do my best to untangle them at the bottom of the pot, while at the same time (obviously) trying my hardest not to severe any root tips.
 
70's natureboy

70's natureboy

Well-Known Member
I never mess with roots, but if the root ball was really tight I would dry dunking them in a pail of water a few times to see if they will loosen up or try to loosen them up while under water.
 
Lord Kanti

Lord Kanti

Well-Known Member
hans6875 said:
i have some 5 week old plants that were left in 3 gal. They are very very root bound. I am transplanting tomorrow as the growth has stunted and they are not up taking, but my dilemma is the root lock and what if I should do anything.

I've read fluff them up a bit and use a product like great white to allow the roots to expand and not continue to choke themselves and things should improve.

Now the other half of the Internet says drop them in as is, don't mess with anything and that will be less shock.

Being they are extremely root locked; what direction would some if you recommend and why...

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
I had blueberries die after transplant because they were so root bound no water was being taken up. The roots just circled and circled in the old pot that when I dug up the dead plants the roots were still in the shape of the old pot. Just a super dense cylinder of roots. I got my money back, but if I had to do it again I'd break that root ball up and soak it in vitamin B and seaweed extract.
 
C

covert222

Well-Known Member
They seem to unlock on their own from my experience but I really don't think you're gonna hurt them either way
 
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