3 Gal VS. 5 Gal

Just wondering if anyone has any input on the best size pot/plant size ratio. I have flowering plants in both 3 g and 5 g pots and I can't seem to see a big difference in growth. As I am limited on space the smaller the pot=the more plants I can fit under a light so I'd obviously rather go with 3 gallons. Will this restrict any growth? The plants average about 24-36 inches when I start my flower. I am thinking about using square pots to maximize the use of space, is there any problem with that? I understand if the plants become too big i will end up with rootlock but what size plant generally fills up a 3 gallon to capacity?

I love this site! Thank you all in advance, one love.

Totally depends on how long you veg? bigger pot = bigger roots but also = a longer veg time. If you have a 3 and 5 side by side and veg em for the same time expect em to be very similar, veg the 5 longer and it will be different, I take 3 foot tall plants to harvest in 1/2 gallon pots all the time

RM3 said:

Totally depends on how long you veg? bigger pot = bigger roots but also = a longer veg time. If you have a 3 and 5 side by side and veg em for the same time expect em to be very similar, veg the 5 longer and it will be different, I take 3 foot tall plants to harvest in 1/2 gallon pots all the time

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Thank you! much appreciated. How do you avoid root lock in such a small pot with plants that size? Are you using soil?

5 gallon FTW! not much bigger than a 3 but will definitely allow your plant to stretch out and optimize yield, your going to spend at least 8 weeks flowering sobest to be sure youve got the room and not stunt your babies to save a bit of room.

MinnesotaHomegrown303 said:

Thank you! much appreciated. How do you avoid root lock in such a small pot with plants that size? Are you using soil?

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root bound is a state of mind

RM3 said:

root bound is a state of mind

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I would like to second that emotion! I remember "Way back when - - " (seems like at least a couple of years). FDD2BLK used to say there is no such thing as "Rootbound", just keep feeding them and watering them and they will grow. Of course, I thought he was nuts (at the time), turns out he was, pretty much, right! As long as the roots are not totally choked for space (like in an 8 oz. cup) they will do surprisingly well. The only real caution is to be aware that smaller pots require much more frequant watering and feeding.

Not that I am reccomending a rootbound condition; but FDD2BLK used to be a LEGEND around here (still is to some of the old time members), much like Unle Ben is today!

RDWC in 27 gallon tubs, because there's nothing quite like overkill to be sure.

18 gallon totes for 4 dollars at wal-mart. Perfect for monsters.

I've noticed virtually no difference in plant health, growth, or final yield when using 3 or 5 gallon plastic containers. I've settled on 3 gallon to save my back. My final vertical height on plants is usually around 42". I second what TH Cammo said in regards to smaller pots needing for frequent watering/fertilizing. Hope this helps.

The "general" rule is a gallon/month of plant life. I've had some beasts outside that finished out in 5 gallon buckets that vegged from April 1st to mid August. Then kicked into flower. Had to water pretty frequently though in the end. They weren't rootbound but could have used more space. The 7 gallon pots I had to hit like once a week. Where as the buckets it was around every 3 days. If I went 5 days they were crying. So just factor in your planned veg time and guestimated flower time + 2 weeks. Smart pots are pretty awesome too. If you wanna go with square plastic pots search on here for spinout. Pretty interesting product if you like smartpots.

This is interesting. My first grow I did 5 gallon pots. This time I wanted to see the side by side with the 5/3 gallon pots. So half in 5 and half in 3. So far at 2 weeks of 12/12. They look the same. Maybe after this grow I switch to all 3 gallons. We'll see.

General rule is that we figure one gallon of dirt to support a plant for one month. You would use 3-gallon pots if you wanted to keep the plant 3 months in that pot. 3 months is 13 weeks or so and that is usually plenty of time to veg and flower most strains.

If you go ahead with the 5-gallon pots you will waste time unless you plan on keeping her going another 8-9 weeks. Let the plant tell you the proper pot size.

Good luck, BigSteve.