Anticipating Trellising Needs

LAST SEASON I GREW ONLY AUTOFLOWERS FROM SEED. This time I'm trying nonautoflower clones and I'm not sure what to expect in terms of size.

I'm growing outdoors in Northern California in 10-gallon fabric pots in slightly amended grow mix.

One of my clones (In the pot for about 20 days now) is already about 18" high and it's still May! I'm afraid this thing is going to be 10' tall, and I have no idea how to trellis, cage, or lattice such a monster.

Also, 10' might attract the attention of passersby, and while my grow is legal, I still don't want to advertise it. So that brings up the question: Should I top or FIM clones? I'm currently thinking not, because the clones are developing with 12 or more vigorous branches each, which is probably about how many growing tops I'm going to want.

Suggestions welcome

You are definitely going to want to top if you aren't trying to get really big plants. There is still A LOT of growing season to go, you are probably going to end up with a big plant 6ft+ regardless.....well actually thats all depending if you have the plant on dirt that the roots can grow through the fabric pot into. If it's on concrete something like that then you are probably going to need to get a bigger pot in a month or so. I would find a 3x3 spot of dirt, dig it up, add some perlite and worm castings, then set your ten gallon pot there and let the roots from the plant grow through the pot and into the dirt.

They're going to exceed the capacity of a 10-gallon pot? Dang! That's why I upgraded from the 5-gallon ones I used last season.

However, while I'm interested in yield from a personal pride point of view, I don't need pounds and pounds from this grow as my personal consumption is modest.

What if I don't transplant and they become root-bound? I don't mind if they're "dwarfed" at only 6' tall.

As for digging a hole, about 18" down in my yard I hit a clayey soil much like concrete, and which killed my tiller, so I do most of my gardening from the soil up. Of course, I could bring in soil, etc., etc. But for now I'm not committed.

I live where it is hot and 10 gallon smart pots needed water twice a day when i used them.a cage made of wire mesh around your pot will help to support your plant in the wind and rain

eddy600 said:

I live where it is hot and 10 gallon smart pots needed water twice a day when i used them.a cage made of wire mesh around your pot will help to support your plant in the wind and rain

Click to expand...

So far it's still pretty cool where I am and I'm watering every 5-6 days. Of course, the plants are very small. I hope I don't end up having to water them excessively. The 5-gallon plastic pots I used last year didn't need to be watered more than every 3 days even on the hottest days around here.

I've been looking at "tall plant cages" but they seem pretty pricey to me. I'll probably end up rigging something from stakes and garden tape.

That reinforcing mesh for cement has 6in squares and is 5ft. tall seems strong and would give you something to weave it threw to keep them at a reasonable height. A bit pricey $90 for 150ft roll