Transplanting cannabis step by step: how and when to start?
Transplanting is one of the biggest responsibilities for a grower when growing cannabis. Repotting is essential if you want to grow big buds full of resin. If you don't transplant correctly, you can completely ruin your entire cannabis garden in no time. But if you transplant the plant correctly, you will get a yield you never dreamed of. This article gives you a clear and easy-to-understand guide on how to transplant your cannabis seedlings and how to do the whole process safely and avoid the most common mistakes.
Why is transplanting cannabis plants important?
When grown outdoors, cannabis plants usually grow without any restrictions and spread freely in all directions. However, when grown in a pot, the space for roots is very limited. The roots spread out into the soil in search of nutrients and the root network is constantly expanding. If you don't transplant cannabis when it is needed, the roots can start to grow through the pot and rooting can occur. Rooted cannabis plants then findit difficult to take up nutrients, oxygen and water and this often leads to disease and subsequent death.
The aim of cannabis cultivation is to provide the best possible conditions for the plants to grow. The best way to achieve this is to learn how to transplant cannabis plants without problems.
When to transplant cannabis?
Repotting cannabis is not just about transplanting sprouted seedlings from one growing container to another. Most cannabis plants will go through 1 or 2 repottings in their lifetime , but there may be more. Factors such as correct timing need to be considered. Below are a few indicators to know when your cannabis plants are ready for transplanting.
Root development
Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. The roots of the plant should look healthy and you should be able to see the white root system. If the plant is rooting or the roots are growing out of the pot, it should be repotted.
Rapid leaf growth
Once the plant has grown 4-5 leaves, you can take this as a signal that it is ready to be repotted.
The end of the vegetative phase
If the plant is in the vegetative phase, it should berepotted before it reaches the flowering stage. During the flowering phase, the plant expands and gains volume as the plant continues to grow and buds form. It will need plenty of space for root development.
How to choose the right pot size when transplanting cannabis?
The distance between plants affects their growth. When transplanting cannabis , give the plant at least twice as much space as it had in the previous pot. This will reduce the need for re-potting and the risk of cannabis transplant shock.
To help you choose the right pot, here is a list of common pot sizes, along with the height the plant can reach:
|
Plant height |
Pot volume |
|
0-15 cm |
0,5 l |
|
15-30 cm |
4 l |
|
30-60 cm |
11 l |
|
60-100 cm |
20 l |
|
100-150 cm |
40 l |
|
150-215 cm |
75 l |
Why not plant directly into the largest pot?
Growers usually transplant cannabis plants into larger pots usually 1-3 times during theirlife cycle. Using a large pot with a lot of soil into which the roots have not yet grown couldpose a risk of waterlogging. A large pot needs a large amount of soil. A large amount of soil requires a large amount of water, often far more than the plant's underdeveloped root system can handle.
Transplanting cannabis: Step by step
Transplanting cannabis plants may seem relatively easy, but there is plenty of room for error. You have to be very careful when transplanting cannabis plants as the process is quite stressful for them. In order to do the transplanting correctly, thefollowing steps must be followed:
First transplanting the cannabis plant
Make the first transplanting once the newly germinated cannabis plant has 4 to 5 leaves.
Step 1
Water theseedlings 1-2 days before transplanting. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
Step 2
Wash your hands or put on gloves to prevent possible contamination of the fragile roots and to ensure as much cleanliness as possible.
Step 3
Pour good quality potting soil into the prepared pot. Avoid over-watering the soil when repotting. Dig a hole in the centre large enough to accommodate the plant.
Step 4
Remove the plant from the existing pot by squeezing the pot and turning it upside down. Be careful not to disturb or damage the roots during transplanting. The biggest risk when repotting for the first time is shock, which can occur because of root damage.
Step 5
Put the plant straight into the new pot. Fill in any gaps with more soil. Align the soil slightly to keep the plant firmly in place.
Step 6
Then water the newly transplanted plant. You can also use a root stimulator. This helps to ease the shock of transplanting and encourages root development.
Next transplanting cannabis plants
You may need to repot the plant a second or third time to maximise its growth potential. Thenext crucial time to repot a cannabis plant is at the end ofthe vegetative phase. The key to getting a high yield is to transplant the plant into as large a container as possible at least two weeks before flowering.
Follow the instructions above and make sure that thenew container is at least twice the size of the original one.
Do I need to repot autoflowering cannabis plants?
Autoflowering varieties are one of the easiest to grow and are characterised by their rapid growth.
Due to thelife cycle of plants grown from autoflowering seeds, it is not advisable to replant them. When transplanting an autoflowering variety , thestress to which the plant is subjected during transplanting is usually so high that it has a major impact on the growth and yield of the plant.
If you have to transplant an autoflowering variety, the correct timing is crucial. Only repot it once, when it has a strong enough root system and has grown four to five leaves.
Don't be afraid of repotting
Transplanting cannabis is an integral part of the growing process and can be a very stressful time for many growers . In order to get a strong and healthy plant, you need toknow how to transplant it correctly and give it plenty of room to establish its roots. While it takes time and effort to transplant cannabis plants, it will pay off at harvest as theplants will be healthier and produce higher yields and better quality buds. We hope you find this guide helpful when transplanting cannabis plants.
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