Repotting during 2-3 weeks into flowering?

Do you think that would be too much stress on the plant? I wanted to try and clean up some of the roots, hanging out the drain holes, perhaps score some of the winded roots, and use a pine bark fine/perlite soil along with the larger pot. I know this is a newb mistake, just curious ifs it's possible without setting the bud process too far back...?

It really depends on how you handle your plants during the transplant if it were to effect your bud growth. If you have to transfer to a different pot it would be best to use the same soil unless the soil ur using right now is not doin the job. Don't really worry to much about pruning roots because exposed ones if not dead will take in oxygen. Don't be OCD with your plants, and keep messing with them. If it's not broke don't fix it.

Only if you must. Since you are sure it is rootbound- the best method (as far as less stress) is double-potting...

Get a planter at least 2x the size of the one you have... fill it with enough soil that if you sit the current planter in it- more than 1/2 the bottom of the planter is down inside it...

CAREFULLY- on the plants current pot...use a box-cutter or carpet knife to cut the bottom off the planter 4' up from the bottom all the way around....this will expose the bottom 4" of the rootball...

Sit the whole thing into the new planter- and fill in around the sides with soil just enough to cover 2-3' of the bottom of the cut planter... this keeps it from tipping... adding gravel around the sides after this step can make it more stable if the plant is tall or heavy.

She may need a week or two of recovery, so harvest may be later than expected- but as long as the soil is good and wet when you replant, and you continue on her current feed & water schedule- she should do well.

Remember- when you feed & water-- start by watering the planter the plant is in-water her deep= it has to go all the way to the bottom of the 1st planter... then add more to the lower planter, all the way around.

Have saved plants this way... even a huge Sativa that outgrew her 8 gallon tree pot in week 3 of flower... double-planted into a 15 gallon tote... no transplant shock or wilt... and only a week behind on harvest!

Beeve said:

Do you think that would be too much stress on the plant? I wanted to try and clean up some of the roots, hanging out the drain holes, perhaps score some of the winded roots, and use a pine bark fine/perlite soil along with the larger pot. I know this is a newb mistake, just curious ifs it's possible without setting the bud process too far back...?

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You're a bit late and this is why - the plant is now focused on the reproduction phase, not root production. You should have upcanned at least 2 weeks prior to flipping. Leave it alone and use something like Dyna-Gro if you suspect an advanced potbound condition (which retards salts uptake).

Transplant shock? I could pull it off without any set back, but then again I've re-potted 1,000's of plants during my growing career. Bottom line, you butcher the root system and it will need some time to become established in the new potting medium.

Good luck,
UB

Beeve said:

Do you think that would be too much stress on the plant? I wanted to try and clean up some of the roots, hanging out the drain holes, perhaps score some of the winded roots, and use a pine bark fine/perlite soil along with the larger pot. I know this is a newb mistake, just curious ifs it's possible without setting the bud process too far back...?

Click to expand...

another option to transplanting is to use a rubbermaid tub as a second outer pot and give the roots someplace to grow.

- Drill some drainage holes in the rubbermaid tub, a water heater drain pan makes a great drip tray.
- Drill holes in the bottom 1/3rd of the pot.
- Set the pot in the tub and then fill the tub up half way with some chunky free draining media like hydroton, coco chips, growstones, perlite, vermiculite, or whatever that will hold a little moisture. Make sure this media gets wet when watering.

You could even do the hempy thing with the tub and put the drain holes for the tub on the side, so that it will hold a thin layer of water, maybe half an inch.

Uncle Ben said:

You're a bit late and this is why - the plant is now focused on the reproduction phase, not root production. You should have upcanned at least 2 weeks prior to flipping. Leave it alone and use something like Dyna-Gro if you suspect an advanced potbound condition (which retards salts uptake).

Transplant shock? I could pull it off without any set back, but then again I've re-potted 1,000's of plants during my growing career. Bottom line, you butcher the root system and it will need some time to become established in the new potting medium.

Good luck,
UB

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Thanks UB, for the explanations. It's good to understand how and when the plant turns on and shuts off their varios systems. I won't do anything to damage the roots, I'll just let her run her course and chalk this mistake up to experience.

PurpleBuz said:

another option to transplanting is to use a rubbermaid tub as a second outer pot and give the roots someplace to grow.

- Drill some drainage holes in the rubbermaid tub, a water heater drain pan makes a great drip tray.
- Drill holes in the bottom 1/3rd of the pot.
- Set the pot in the tub and then fill the tub up half way with some chunky free draining media like hydroton, coco chips, growstones, perlite, vermiculite, or whatever that will hold a little moisture. Make sure this media gets wet when watering.

You could even do the hempy thing with the tub and put the drain holes for the tub on the side, so that it will hold a thin layer of water, maybe half an inch.

Click to expand...

I could yes, if I see that I really get into a bind with the roots. Right now I'll just keep an eye on the one or two that look like their growth is slowing and make an executive decision later.

Beeve said:

Do you think that would be too much stress on the plant? I wanted to try and clean up some of the roots, hanging out the drain holes, perhaps score some of the winded roots, and use a pine bark fine/perlite soil along with the larger pot. I know this is a newb mistake, just curious ifs it's possible without setting the bud process too far back...?

Click to expand...

Live current got 4 plants running, and all four were transplant for the last time between weeks 2 & 3 of flowering, and they didn't suffer any issues. They're 12/12 from seed(1w 18/6), so it's hard to say exactly that they were in wk 2/3 of flowering, but that had what aerated to me about two weeks worth of bud on them!
My thread(my OP) kinda got carried away but it's there if you wanna see what happens. I'll be harvesting them the next two weeks.

Also, I transplanted them from one gal grow bags, to 3 gal smart pots, and one 5 gal grow bag.
ive found that if you use a bags before your final transplant, the transplant are perfect as you just roll the bag down off the roots.

Happy 4:20

I do it when I run out of space, I replant from 1 gal to 5 and hit then with 1 gal of water and 18-18-18 one teaspoon. for shock,, never skip a beat, except when it is real root bound and then it just looks the same for a few days then it takes back off.. They have to grow down before they grow up,,