To Break or Not to Break the Root Ball......

steverthebeaver81

Well-Known Member

Mar 8, 2011

• #1

So heres another good topic. What are your thoughts on breaking the rootball or not at transplant. Do you shake the old excess dirt off the roots or leave it in the shape it is and transplant as such? I personally knock off the excess, but would like to hear others approach and/or comments on this.

 

SCARHOLE

Well-Known Member

Mar 8, 2011

• #2

I used to cut the long curled roots in the bottom once with a knife befor tansplant.
Now Im using airpruning pots a root curl is a thing of the past..

 

steverthebeaver81

Well-Known Member

Mar 8, 2011

• #3

So really the stress is pretty minimal?

 

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North

Mar 8, 2011

• #4

when I did soil at the time of transplant I would beak the root ball up and the plants would bounce back
from the transplant within days

 

steverthebeaver81

Well-Known Member

Mar 9, 2011

• #5

K, thats what i been doin. I have a friend that wont touch them and yet another that CUTS into them to fan them out.

 

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member

Mar 9, 2011

• #6

LEAVE THEM ALONE. the ROOTS will expand and grow REGARDLESS. its like saying will Completely Defoliating at week 3 help.. Who knows, The PLANT will STILL Grow.

 

tet1953

Well-Known Member

Mar 9, 2011

• #7

I don't intentionally knock off or remove any soil, but I do break it up, sort of uncurl the roots at the bottom and spread 'em out a little.

 

dannyboy602

Well-Known Member

Mar 9, 2011

• #8

When I transplant I will often times do a little root pruning before I plant. It's easy and I've never had a plant die on me.
I don't remove any soil from the root ball. Just get out the pruners and loosen up those girdling roots. If the plant is really pot bound then I prune a little of the root mass off. Cannabis has a fiberous root system and takes to root pruning well.

 

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North

Mar 9, 2011

• #9

I found by breaking up the root ball it help spread the roots out and they fan out, seen way better result that way.
when I left them alone the plants were smaller at havest and when I looked at the root, they didnt realy move out
to the sides just down causing a taller plant with less branching. so breaking the root ball and geting a wider root
mass = a more branched out plant. my 2 cents on this matter

 

steverthebeaver81

Well-Known Member

Mar 9, 2011

• #10

thats kind of how i feel on it too hellraizer. i just kinda wanted to see where others stood on this.