Thanks for the advice, I'm keeping two CFL's close to the seedlings. What's the estimated time do you think i would get ready to transplant based on those pictures? My guess is a week or two?
Time is irrelevant when it comes to transplants.
You can either wait to see roots coming out of the bottom of the container (which I do) or you transplant when the leafs of your plant have reached past the edge of their container. I usually go with the roots because once a plant has developed a nice root ball it's super easy to transplant without slowing your plant down at all.
I started in solo cups and slowly moved up two to three pot sizes til I finally transplanted to a three gallon smart pot. My roots are great now though and take up most of the soil space they have been provided.
Here is how I do it:
When I see roots peeking out the drainage holes in my pot I will wait a day or two and ensure the soil is moist because moist soil is easier to work with. Now fill a new pot with your growing medium but leave a big enough hole to fit your plant and root ball in. If you've waited long enough your root ball should be about the size of the container the plant is in. I use a metal butter knife and slide it along the edges of the pot loosen the dirt and roots from the sides. Then I give my pot a few gentle squeezes for some final loosening. Now prepare for the scary part. Lay your hand flat on the surface of your medium with stem of your plant between two of your fingers, you'll be using your palm to hold up the soil, plant, and root ball. Now carefully flip your container. If everything is loose the plant, soil, and root ball should come out as one big chunk safely into your hand. You can give the bottom of the pot a pat if everything is still up in there. Now gently place your plant into your new pot and make sure to fill any empty space with some fresh medium. Congrats, you've transplanted a cannabis plant safely and no harm done.
On my current grow I've done about seven transplants total between my plants and I've never seen them slow down after moving them. It's all in the roots baby, wait for them roots before you shoots for a bigger container.
to me they all look healthy and well see pictures!! I have the odd root at the holes at bottom of pot, not every hole and appears they just made it there! So I'm guessing there not quite a root ball yet, the pictures are at 10 days from seed. Any advice thanks in advance
