noob sprouting question

[longdogin]

so im sure their is a reason or two for this one but i dont no what it is. so i was wondering if anyone could explain why people dont just plant the seeds into the pots they are going to grow in. why do you start in a small container and then transplant to a bigger one. ive been givin the answer of ( because of root development) but if thats acually the answer whats the difference from starting in smaller to bigger.

 

[Indagrow]

i do it for ease... like start 10 off in little pods and then in an effort to save space and not have to run a huge light when a little guy will do transplant them over into larger pots once the real growth gets going and you can rationalize the energy bill.

 

[longdogin]

and also does this looked streched it sprouted 3 days ago

 

[hotrodharley]

Start in the absolute smallest container and gradually increase size each transplant. First - transplant shock is much more legend than reality. Ham-handed people that know they are klutzes be advised that by taking your time and knowing what you are doing beforehand even you can transplant successfully. Read, read, and then read some more before asking questions but we welcome those too.

However the absolute prime reason is the rapid development of a big and healthy root system. Big Steve advocates for this container stuff on here and I openly derided and mocked him for it. On here. Then I was forced, literally, to use a box of 4" planters I had when a blizzard here in AK shut down all unnecessary travel for days. Jesus H Christ. I ran out of the 1 gallon "seedling" planters I had and was overrun with seedlings. Out came the seedling soil and the 4" planters. Let me assure you that by the time all these plants were 1 month old those that started with Big Steve's baby container bit were far bigger and healthier than their 1 gallon sisters. They all, to a one, required moving to a 3-gallon much sooner than those that were placed as seedlings (all were equal now at that point) in 1 gallon pots. Everything else was the exact same. Lights, distances, water/feed. Everything but original container size, 25 plants. 13 in 4" and 12 in the 1 gallons.

Yield was much better and bud quality was better on the ones started in the small units too because it developed sooner and bigger and then used the remainder of flower time to fill in.

No secret it's roots before shoots. Use the graduated container method and get them bigger and faster!!!!!

 

[longdogin]

Start in the absolute smallest container and gradually increase size each transplant. First transplant shock is more legend than reality. Ham-handed people that know they are klutzes be advised that by taking your time and knowing what you are doing then even you can transplant successfully. Read, read, and then read some more before asking questions but we welcome those too.

But the absolute prime reaon is the rapid development of a big and healthy root system. Big Steve advocates for this container stuff on here and I openly derided and mocked him for it. On here. Then I was forced, literally, to use a box of 4" planters I had when a blizzard here in AK shut down all unnecessary travel for days. Jesus H Christ. I ran out of the 1 gallon "seedling" planters I had and was overrun with seedlings. Out came the seedling soil and the 4" planters. Let me assure you that by the time all these plants were 1 month old those that started with Big Steve's baby container bit were far bigger and healthier than their 1 gallon sisters.

No secret it's roots before shoots. Use the graduated container method and get them bigger and faster!!!!!

do you have any idea why the root develop differently in small containers than in big containers

 

[hotrodharley]

do you have any idea why the root develop differently in small containers than in big containers

Again Big Steve (I apologized to him even in an IM but I had mocked him so stupidly I'm probably on ignore): the roots need to touch the sides and/or container bottoms before the above-the-ground portion of the plant will then begin to grow. Not being a plant scientist and having done what he says I have no reason to disbelieve this. Makes sense really. A house is built on a solid foundation built first. His method worked for me. Works for me still.

 

[longdogin]

Again Big Steve (I apologized to him even in an IM but I had mocked him so stupidly I'm probably on ignore): the roots need to touch the sides and/or container bottoms before the above-the-ground portion of the plant will then begin to grow. Not being a plant scientist and having done what he says I have no reason to disbelieve this. Makes sense really. A house is built on a solid foundation built first. His method worked for me. Works for me still.

o ok that makes sense, thanks

 

[MYOB]

Yeah. This is why you don see plants growing outdoors naturally. Because their roots aren't restricted by plastic pots so they never break the surface. Wait. What?

the reason is to conserve space.

 

[largebiffta]

I do it in HYDRO no need to re-plant :0)

 

[TonyKush]

most growers if growing from seed will grow a bunch and then take clones from the best ones there gonna kill a lot of them anyways thats why plus some just don't make it so if u started from seed in a 3 to 5 gallon pot you would be wasting alot of money on dirt and the space they take up

 

[longdogin]

most growers if growing from seed will grow a bunch and then take clones from the best ones there gonna kill a lot of them anyways thats why plus some just don't make it so if u started from seed in a 3 to 5 gallon pot you would be wasting alot of money on dirt and the space they take up

This was the reason i was thinking

 

[longdogin]

hotrodharley does make a good point though even if its nit his own. hes not claiming they wont grow, hes just saying once the roots bottom out the plant wont put as much energy into the roots tring to find a bottom and the plant abouve the soil will have more energy to grow (i think)

 

[longdogin]

I have another question aswell , i just built a growbox but didnt think about putting a intake fan on it. So i was thinking would it be possible to run a tube comming off of my outlet filter and run it into the bottom of the grow box. Basically recycling the air. Im useing leds so theirs not alot of heat. And i was thinking it would save some electricity instead of adding another blower. Any thoughts?

 

[parkth3car]

the reason to switch pots is a chance to check out and inoculate your rootzone.... And so you are not overwatering, you can water a 16oz cup just a little compared to a 5gallon pot for a seedling.

 

[MYOB]

hotrodharley does make a good point though even if its nit his own. hes not claiming they wont grow, hes just saying once the roots bottom out the plant wont put as much energy into the roots tring to find a bottom and the plant abouve the soil will have more energy to grow (i think)

I understand the thought process I just dont think thats what is happening. When roots are restricted, they dont encourage plants to grow more, they grow less. When you "up-pot" them, the roots have room to grow and thus, the plant grows. The correlation is room for roots = plant growth NOT repotting to a bigger pot = plant growth.

The roots dont try to find the bottom of anything. They grow to where they can find sufficient water/nutrients and can provide a "base" for the plant. The bigger the plant, the bigger the root system needs to be to nourish and support that plant. There is no "bottom" where plants naturally live, there is just ample room.