How and When to Transplant Cannabis?

CultivationTransplanting is the process of re-potting plants into new, larger containers. Transplanting is a delicate process, and can be tricky to get just right for beginner growers. This basic guide covers why, when and how to transplant or “re-pot” your cannabis plants, for growers using soil, coco or soilless mix.

Why Is Transplanting Important?

Some growers initially sow their seeds in large containers in order to bypass the transplanting process. The setback is that the roots will be suspended in a large amount of soil and may not absorb all of the moisture. This sitting moisture can then lead to root rot.

For this reason, most growers opt to start seedlings in smaller containers before gradually transplanting them into their “finishing pots.”

When growing cannabis in containers, the number one limitation for plant development lies with root expansion. Roots need to expand and develop in order for a plant to grow and flourish. Containers determine the amount of space available for roots to grow, and cannabis requires transplanting in order to reach its full potential.

Furthermore, when root systems outgrow their environment and do not have enough room to expand, it may become “root bound.” The symptoms of a root-bound plant include:

• Flimsy new growth
• Stunted flower production
• Stem discoloration (reddening)
• Nutrient sensitivity
• Nutrient deficiency

A plant that is root bound may also appear under-watered. If a plant requires watering once or more a day, this may mean a transplant is needed. Plants that continue to grow while root bound are at risk of growth deficiency and disease, and may die off.

Gradually moving plants from smaller containers to slightly larger ones will allow the roots to develop, while getting the most from their containers. When the plants are ready to move into the flowering stage, they should have plenty of room in their finishing pots for the roots to flourish.

When should cannabis plants be transplanted?

Your cannabis clones have taken or your seeds are thriving and have a healthy white root ball. You can see roots emerging from your rock wool starter blocks or jiffy pots. They may be starting to snake their way out of the bottom of your cloning trays or are in plain sight in your quick rooting or atomizing box. If the roots have already started to feather then be swift and gentle, you are running late. The feathering is very delicate and will break off easily. You want glossy white seeker roots. These roots are quite strong and they will easily penetrate the new medium before divaricating on their search for moisture and nutrients. At this point potting on is as simple as filling your chosen pot with growing medium. Make a hole with your finger in the centre and plant your seedling or clone. Back fill gently and water into place.

How should cannabis plants be transplanted?

Transplanting is not a difficult job, but it does require certain skills and care so that the damage to your plant roots is as little as possible. A good transplant is related to the degree of stress and recovery time needed for the plant to re-grow normally.

When transplanting cannabis plants, you should bear in mind that roots like high humidity, little air flow and low light. Once the transplant is done, try not to expose the plant to direct sunlight during the early hours.

We will show you in pictures how we think it is the correct way of transplanting plants so that they suffer the least stress:

• First, prepare the container where the plant will live by filling it with substrate and adding any fungus that benefits the root such as endomycorrhizae…
• Then, ideally, you should make a hole and press lightly with the pot plant where the plant currently is until this is buried in the substrate. In this way the change of container will have a minimum impact on the roots. Once this is done, press gently all edges on the pot.
• You should take extra care at this moment because you will have to remove the plant from its container. To do so, grab the stem from the very bottom while keeping your fingers on the substrate and turn the pot over until the plant is upside down.
• Now press very carefully on the edges of the pot until the plant detaches itself from it. To do this, the substrate shouldn’t be too wet as it could crumble and break the roots. Don’t pull from the stem to remove it because you could break the main root. Just try to be patient and remove the pot with care when you manage to detach the roots from the sides of the container.
• Once you have removed the pot, put the plant in its new container, in the hole you had previously made, add more substrate if necessary, and this is how the most delicate step is completed.

Now you only need to water the plant and wait a few days until it gets its vigour back as a result of the new space that we made available for the roots’ growth. It is advisable to use root stimulator in the first irrigations. For the grow pots and other tools, we suggest to you purchase at Eco Farm, since they are professional store for cannabis growing. If you have not grown it yet, and you are interested in growing cannabis, we suggest you to buy a cannabis grow package, it can save your time and money.