Growth of these little ones seems slow.

[growsomebuds]

Those little plants were born end of June. Each has been topped 3 times to create a manifold. I started to think the roots aren't expanding outside of the soil that was 1st in Solo cups. I carefully removed the transplant soil that surrounds these plants. I was right, virtually no root growth beyond the soil that contained the plants when they were 1st in the Solo cups. So, I carefully loosened the soil surrounding the plants that did have roots. I put the soil back around the plants, and am now hoping the roots will actually start filling these pots up. They went into these black pots 23 day's ago.

 

[IslandColas]

Sounds like they may have been really root bound. How old were they when you transplanted them?

 

[growsomebuds]

There were hardly any roots showing at the time of transplant.

 

[BlueBudz]

growsomebuds morning. Well first off I would rotate your light 90° so you using the footprint to it’s max. As far as the lack of root growth and overall slow growing... in my limited experience I found dense or overwatered soil slows down growth ALOT. Not saying your doing it wrong but it’s something to consider. I found fastest growth to take place when you water a bit almost every day but not too much. If you really want to see some speed try hydroponic, it’s amazing the difference.

 

[GreenhouseEffect]

Good call on lack of air in the soil, that would def slow them down.
Also check the temperature on the outsides of those pots, if they are getting hot from absorbing heat, that could hinder root growth as well.
What soil do you have them in?
It's also possible that topping was a little early for them? That is one thing that can slow a plant down to, since that first couple weeks/ maybe month, they are usually focusing most of there energy on growing roots.

 

[growsomebuds]

Thanks, Blue....I put that mess of a plant(org bucket) in my flower tent, since I'm tired of its problems. It has had root issues since birth. The two little ones are in line w/ the light, as you suggest now.

 

[growsomebuds]

I use a basic organic soil w/ 50% perlite. I did my 1st topping to the 3rd node, after having 5 nodes. Removed all growth below that node. I just did the last 2 toppings after having 4 nodes on each side. Then left nodes 1 and 3 intact. Now, I will have 8 colas for my buds. I guess my point is, I followed Nubula's manifold process to a 'T'. lol These small plants were born July 1st. This is why I checked on the root growth or perhaps, lack there of. I really hope these plants wake the fuck up, and start doing some real growing, soon!

 

[GreenhouseEffect]

Well shoot, ya, that sounds perfect with the main lining, and that is a LOT of air holding capacity with 50% perlite, would almost make me wonder if they are getting enough nutrients, but it looks like you are feeding them GH trio.
Hydro is certainly faster like BlueBuds says, or coco is really quick to, coco is about the nicest thing for roots to be in. I grow in soil myself, and it is slower, but I really like the end results, and I never have done to good when I tried out hydroponics, dirt is just who I am!
Some times I wonder if chemical fertilizers in organic soil are that good of a combo, lots of folks do real good with the GH Trio, but if you use it in organic soil, it tends to kill off the microbes that are a big part of success with soil growing, plus, just kinda takes away from how well soil works, at least in my opinion, kinda loose some of the benefits of each system of growing. My postulations, and deep thoughts by Greenhouse effect!
Sure hope they start growing for you soon, maybe they just need to catch there stride.

 

[growsomebuds]

@Greenhouse-Here's a current grow that's in flower. I trained this plant like the little ones, but a little differently.

 

[GreenhouseEffect]

Man, that's looking really good GSB !
I really like how you used the 5 gallon bucket full of holes. It's basically an Air pot if you do that, and it works really good, without the fancy brand names. The Bakery section at many grocery stores will give you all the buckets you need for free if you want. They get stuff like cake frosting and doughnut filling in them, and usually just throw them away. The lids are pretty good trimming tray's to

 

[growsomebuds]

Thanks, GHE. Love the bakery idea. I should've known this. I worked nights at a grocery store, 20 years ago. lol
I actually have fabric pots for the little ones, if they ever grow out of this funk.

 

[growsomebuds]

I'm new to perlite. I believe 25-30%% perlite is better, especially if I'm using it in fabric pots.

 

[growsomebuds]

Those sticky trichromes are beginning to make an appearance. So exciting!

 

[GreenhouseEffect]

That's what I've heard people say about perlite to, 25-30%, no more than 1/3rd. Careful with the fabric pots if you plan to transplant them out of there, since some of the roots eventually grow into the pot, making transplanting more difficult/ harder on the plant. They are great as there forever home though. So awesome when the icky sticky starts to form! Mine are all just starting to flower, funny how you get sick of taking care of plants in flower, and harvesting, but then a couple months later, your all stoked to see some buds again!

 

[DankwingDuck]

I would say that the growth of roots into the fab isn’t really an issue . It can be easily removed and even a little root damage should cause much stress or long term damage . I cut my roots on my hydro pots between transplant from 2.5g to 5g buckets . Cutting the ends of the roots will stop them from growing downward and promote outward growth just as it would when topping your plant . So a little growth into the fab pot shouldn’t really be an issue . Air pots utilize this effect when the root hits air at the edge the top burns and dies and this prompts the fibrous roots to explode with growth .

Point is that damaging the roots slightly will only prompt future root growth. But this must be done with a gentle hand because to much and you could kill the small plant .

 

[growsomebuds]

Hi, Dank, their not in fab pots yet. Still in 2gal pots that are plastic. Right now, the little ones don't look so great. If they recover, they will then go into 7 gal fab bags. I've never used fab bags before. But, I know the soil dries out faster. That's why I bought 7gal bags, instead of 5gal ones. That's also why I certainly will reduce the perlite ratio. Don't feel like watering every day. lol

 

[DankwingDuck]

I understand that lol which is why I am changing the coco grow I took over from a friend into full dwc . Once the current coco plants finish there will be no more planted . Everything new has all gone straight from the cloner to dwc . To much time watering lol. In the dwc I don’t have to water ever lol and just add water or change the res ass needed . It really makes life easy .

 

[DankwingDuck]

When your ready to come to the dark side and join the hydro club let me know . I’ll be happy to share any info I have with you .

 

[growsomebuds]

This one has had root issues from seedling. She is 3.75 months old! And <1ft tall. This is her pretty sister, who's a week younger. She hasn't given me much trouble. Only some slow growth in the beginning b/c I plated her directly into that 5gal bucket. Won't do that ever again.

 

[growsomebuds]

Thanks for the input, fellas. It's appreciated.