roots coming out

ok so i have 4 plant, each about 2 feet tall. my problem is the roots are coming out the bottom and i dont wanna get rootbound, if im not already. theyre in 5gal homer buckets. anyone have any ideas? do i have to transplant? i rather not. im growing white widow, seedsman is the breeder if that helps.

i would like to veg them a little bigger... i know its indica and it would grow high but i would like to get maybe about another foot out of her

In my opinion 5gallons is plenty, roots coming out of the bottom is a positive sign.
In my experience because the roots are looking for more medium which they can't find does not mean that the plant will stop growing, simply that they are robust and living life to the full, considering that they are in 5gal pots.
I believe the whole issue on pot size to plant size is blown a bit out of proportion within reason.
I think you should crack on with the 5gal pots and if the plants do stop growing ( which I doubt ) you can consider repotting, but take into consideration that the plants will grow a fair bit amount through flowering.
Have saw large plants in a lot smaller pots.
Throwing an opinion out there,
The pot size within reason, does not considerably hinder plant size within reason but may create a stressful environment for the roots and plant resulting in a less efficient rebust plant. Therefore it does hinder plant growth but not necessarily size again within reason. Lol, for swim 11ltr is enough for medium plants, 5gal is a fair amount, point is that I wouldn't worry crack on until you notice clear signs that growth is hindered but if you feel like repotting assuming the process goes smoothly would only do good. Good luck

You could clean the roots off n throw them in DWC, ive done it and kept growing. Never looked back at soil.

i got a buddy that grows in 5 gal. homer buckets 6 foot plants 1/2 pound i say never got root bound or roots coming out
got a pic of this monster

Did you start the plants in the 5 gal buckets? If so, the roots typically just shoot straight down and out drain holes, instead of expanding in the whole bucket full of dirt.

It is better to grow your plants in smaller containers and step them up after they fill out the smaller container. So as example, start in 16oz cup until roots are all you see when you pull it out of the cup to transfer into a half gal or 1 gal container and repeat this process with 3 gal and then finally into 5 gal for flowering. If you google this method you'll find more in depth reasoning as to why this makes sense.

Plus if you step up container sizes slowly, you won't have to fertilize nearly as much because each time you transfer the new dirt replenishes nutrients. Cheers.

thenotsoesoteric said:

Did you start the plants in the 5 gal buckets? If so, the roots typically just shoot straight down and out drain holes, instead of expanding in the whole bucket full of dirt.

It is better to grow your plants in smaller containers and step them up after they fill out the smaller container. So as example, start in 16oz cup until roots are all you see when you pull it out of the cup to transfer into a half gal or 1 gal container and repeat this process with 3 gal and then finally into 5 gal for flowering. If you google this method you'll find more in depth reasoning as to why this makes sense.

Plus if you step up container sizes slowly, you won't have to fertilize nearly as much because each time you transfer the new dirt replenishes nutrients. Cheers.

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nono i usually start in 16oz cups then straight to 1 gal pot then to 5gal. i actually just transplants these about 2 weeks ago so im floored that the roots are coming out already. i will let them ride for now and see where things go. thanks bud