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Re-potting Auto`s

PaganRich

PaganRich

New member
In the past re-potting auto`s grown from seed in a smaller pot to say a 5 gallon was a definite no-no but I know some people have done this and wondered generally how people found this practice to be compared to just planting straight into the larger pot...stay mellow :)
 
I transplanted my autos from solo cups on my last grow and they did fine but it isn't something I would really want to do all the time. To me it's a big pain in the ass tho to have to put a tiny seedling into a huge pot and try to guess how far the roots have grown and how much water is enough but not too much for the next few weeks afterwards. Being new to growing (prone to mistakes) I don't want to over water and it take forever to dry out & slow the growth, especially since they seem to grow slowly in big containers at first anyway.
I switched to 5gal smart pots this time and started 7 auto seeds & the thought of putting them into those big pots just don't work for me. I had been thinking for a while about using large peat pots that you just stick down into the final container at a later point but I keep hearing that they don't break down properly sometimes so I thought of making diy temporary pots out of newspaper since I feel sure it would break down with no problems.
Lots of people make seed starting pots from newspaper but I would go a little bigger like maybe the size of a 6 inch pot or a little bigger & make it kinda thin with a few strings or something tied around it for support that could be cut later when it's set down into a bigger pot.
I just don't want to accept that there is no other way but to put them in their final pots. I have 3 auto babies right now that I put directly into 5 gal fabric pots and I'm seriously disappointed at their growth to the point I'm thinking of pulling them up and starting over! I won't be doing that again even if I have to transplant them.
 
I haven't done it yet, but I plan on doing it. What Red said above, I don't feel experienced enough to nurture a tiny seedling in a huge pot. Transplanting from a solo cup can be relatively stress free for a nice healthy plant that's about two weeks old if done correctly. I'll be starting two in march, and that's my plan. I also plan on doing one topping about a week after transplant as long as she is showing no signs of stress.

You can take this post with a grain of salt, since I have no actual experience growing an auto.
 
I don't think the solo cups are a bad idea. I would get the ones without that indention pattern made into the sides of the cup cause it's much harder to get off since it grips the medium. I was just thinking with newspaper you don't even have to do anything, just set it right down into the new pot-virtually no risk of damage-the plant can just keep on growing like nothing ever happened.
Of course it will look like a hillbilly version of the Martha Stewart Show but who cares as long as it works? Do you think it will work okay?
 
I've tried a few ways with my autos. 3 inch peat to 6 inch peat, then into 5 gallon smartpot. Also start at 6, then final. Lastly, I got the seedling up for just a few days in peat, then into the final (this is how I grew Bubba 2). When using the peat in all methods, I very very carefully cut away the pot before setting it in larger container. Don't sneeze...you want minimum disturbance to roots when attempting this. All 3 ways worked well...just remember if you go from very small to very large, the seedling may seem slow (and tiny) initially, but I found with my Bubba that it definitely picked up steam and continued through grow. And just water sparingly at first until you sense that it can handle more (subjective assessment). I would probably recommend the 6 inch to final, but again it really depends on how well you handle the transplanting. Good luck!
 
Yeah, thanks Rockman. It really helps to hear from someone who has experience using different techniques. Very informative and helpful!
 
I'm starting my first indoor auto grow this week. I found a trick for this on the web somewhere and am planing to try it out (I'll let you guys know how it goes).

The trick/plan is to put a solo cup filled with medium (and with its bottom cut off) into the center of your large pot/medium. Then you plant your seed in the solo cup in the center of the full pot. Once your seedling is established a couple of slits opposite one another on the solo cup rim, some gentle solo cup tearing, then you just pull the solo cup out in two parts, and your plant now has access to the full pot's medium.

Once I do it I'll post pics which may make more sense :)
 
For Auto's-I plant seeds in a germination bag which is set directly into the final pot and they seem to thrive, not being disturbed.
Easy for watering , no transplant.
 
hi rwdy. ever use burlap? works good for me. the bottom will eventually give way because that where all the water goes, but i've never gotten to that point before transplant anyway....that's more for people who are using burlap instead of a pot.
granted i've not technically tried it w/ weed--it was a buncha houseplants and veggies but i can't see why that would matter for this....
 
something larger than a solo cup to start definitely makes sense. Can stay in a bit longer and not so much of a transition to bigger and final pot. Something about the size of an XL drink from a fast food restaurant. About an inch wider and 2 inches deeper.
 
I agree beach! kindsoil advises never give solo cups more than 2 oz during it's seedling stage,til you know it's roots (clear cup.) and above ground growth are well established.No reason to saturate a final pot of media for just a seedling leaving the media outside the solo cup may make its roots seek out the surrouning soil.Actually hearing of roots splitting grow pots.without the bottoms you may be able to cut slits up to the rim and never have to remove the solo cups just cut the rim off.Roots can be a strong force,a nearby plant (trees and such)can crack a sidewalk.
 
That's a really good idea on splitting the bottomless solo cup sila'red'u-r You could even use rubber bands to hold it together until you're ready to remove it so it's a little more stable. When you're ready just remove the rubber bands & clip the rim. I like this solo cup idea!
 
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