Replanting and Pot Size

[AimAim]

Is there any great botanical reason to repot more than once? Or actually is there aqny disadvantage in planting in one's final container. I've got my plants started in 4" peat pots which I have used for years when replanting out-of-doors. The small size makes it easy to get under CFLs without having to crank up the 600W. I want to do this indoor grow in pots around 4-5 gallon in size and will plant my peat pots directly into final containers once they get a few inches on them. The plastic solo cup seems to rule from what I've seen. Yet I've always used the peat pots and just planted the whole thing. Other than losing more moisture is there any reason most people grow in plastic cups, seems a lot less disturbance using the peat pots. Go from 4" pot to final 4 gallon is what I plan on doing but I see a lot of people repotting up to 4 times. Any real reason to do this, seems to me every repotting is gonna set them back a bit.

 

[Po boy]

i agree with the multiple repotting. more handling = more chances for a fuckup. i prefer to sow the seed directly into the finishing pot.

 

[bseeds]

when transplant the peat container you might have to cut it a little so the roots can pass through easy is the only thing when i put mine outside in dirt the very top was still there at harvest rite there at grown level other then that it would be ok i dont like them because they dry out to quickly i would rather use small potting container myself

 

[AimAim]

i agree with the multiple repotting. more handling = more chances for a fuckup. i prefer to sow the seed directly into the finishing pot.

Kind of my thinking as well, I just start w/4" peat pots because they are easier to pack together under a CFL and get them moving along. I'd burn a lot of electricity spreading lamps/bulbs under 5 gallon pots.

And Bseeds, the pots I use are really fragile, not those expandable ones with the mesh net. These things are almost like paper mache and are all but falling apart by the time I get them into the final container.

I just keep seeing people repotting multiple times and wonder why, except for the light utilization issue which I do understand..... keep all the greenery close together and burn less electricity. Otherwise I can't see that restricting the rooting zone does much, but I might be wrong thats why I asked.

 

[the bent botanist]

starting in a small pot is the way to go. use a clear pot that slides inside a standard gardening pot so you can see how the roots are developing, wait till the plant has built up a root system that starts to circle itself around the side of the clear pot and then transplant.

the root ball will grow outwards a lot more this way giving you a more full root system. starting in a large pot will tend to leave a lot of wasted space in the top - middle half of the medium that could have been filled with roots

 

[AimAim]

Yep that actually makes complete sense. I realize the logic of slowly filling up and making full utilization of the root space. Not sure if it would off-set the replanting shock. Hey for what it's worth I have a BS and MS in ag sciences and just retired from that field. I have gathered as much info on this site as anywhere as pertaining to soils. Not trying to establish credentials but there are a lot of folks who participate on this site who know their shit inside and out about soils and soil chemistry. Pretty fukkin amazing actually the level of knowledge, but there are some huge gaps, so be careful.

Hint: If you hear someone mention "dirt" cast a skeptical eye. Dirt is what's under your fingernails and under your bed. Soil (or medium) is what we grow with.


Peace to All, crazy soft peace and more.....


AIM