Updated on Dec 15, 2023
DISCLAIMER:
Everything taught and sold by BudTrainer is to be used strictly for legal purposes. We condemn the production of illegal substances, and it is your duty to ensure that you are complying with the law. The words "hemp", "cannabis", "weed", and "marijuana" are used interchangeably to refer to the same plant (legal hemp with less than 0.3% THC) for the purposes of this lesson.
The Art of Transplanting: Ensuring Success for Your Young Hemp Plants
Mastering the art of transplanting is crucial for ensuring the health, vigor, and productivity of your roots. And if you can keep your roots happy, your shoots will also be happy. With BudTrainer's expert guidance and our user-friendly gardening accessories, you'll learn the proper techniques and timing for transplanting, allowing your young cannabis plants to thrive in their new environment.
1. Tools & Materials
2. When is it time to transplant my plants?
The timing of transplant doesn't go by a set number of days. Some marijuana plants will grow vigorously and be ready for it in 3 weeks, while others can get stunted and take more than 6 weeks.
The tell-tale sign that your plant is ready for transplanting is whether it has roots at the top of the rootball. Whenever roots form at the top, this means that they will "shoot out" into all directions after you transplant, which is exactly what we want for proper root formation - otherwise they will all end up in the bottom, leaving the top soil of your pot empty.
To peek at your roots, simply pop the bottom of the BudCups!
How to select the right size of pot for you
Pots, like the BudPots, come in various sizes ranging from 3Ga to 25Ga. The question is, which one is for you? There are a few things to consider, and they are broken down below:
BudPots 3Ga |
For short-cycle plants, like short flowering period autoflowers or photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within 6 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for indoor growing, but too small for outdoors. |
BudPots 5Ga |
For short-ish-cycle plants, like long flowering period autoflowers or photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within 8 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for indoor growing, but too small for outdoors. |
BudPots 7Ga |
For medium-cycle plants, like long cycle autoflowers or photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within 10 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for indoor growing, and can also be used for outdoors on fast-flowering photoperiod strains. |
BudPots 10Ga |
For medium-to-long-cycle plants, like photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within 12 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for outdoor growing, but too large for indoors (except for living soils). |
BudPots 15Ga |
For long-cycle plants, like photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within 15 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for outdoor growing, but too large for indoors (except for living soils). |
BudPots 25Ga |
For long-cycle plants, like photoperiodic plants that will be flowered within more than 15 weeks of sprouting. Great choice for outdoor growing, but too large for indoors (except for living soils). |
3. How to Transplant Young Weed Plants
Step 1 - Fill your BudPots with soil
In order to transplant your cannabis plant, first you will need to fill up your BudPot with soil. This part is super easy - go ahead and dump the soil inside your BudPot until just below the grommet level - be careful not to make a mess!
Step 2 - Make a hole
Make a hole the same size as the BudCups. For this, you can start from the center and slowly dig a hole in the soil by pulling it to the sides with your hands. Once the hole is about the size of the BudCups, your seedling is ready for transplant.
Step 3 - Transplant your plants
Now that you have a perfect hole for the BudCups (or other plastic container), it is time to remove your young plants from them and transplant your rootball into the soil. For this, simply pop the bottom of the BudCups with your finger until the entire rootball comes out.
As you push the bottom of the BudCups, pull on the young plant's stem to see if it is strong enough to hold the entire rootball. If it is not, pick your plant up from the sides of the root ball instead, but very gently to not let soil fall off.
If the bottom plate of the BudCups is still stuck to the bottom of the roots, make sure to remove it before transplanting.
After your rootball is out, drop it right inside the hole, and shake your BudPots to allow the soil to fall around the rootball. Make sure that the top soil on your BudPots is nice and flat, but do not press down on the soil as this will make it more difficult for your roots to grow. Just a little shake is all you need!
Upgrade Your Craft: Use Mycorrhizal Fungi
Mycorrhizal fungi is a commonly used supplement for weed plants as it helps your roots intake more nutrients, thus allowing you to grow bigger plants. This fungi creates a mutualistic relationship with your roots, where it absorbs more nutrients from the soil in exchange for some sugars from your plant. Working together, they create massive root structures that take your plants to the next level.
To use Mycorrhizae, just sprinkle one teaspoon at the bottom of the plant hole, transplant the rootball from your BudCups, sprinkle another teaspoon on top of it, and shake the BudPots in order to let the dirt fill in the gaps and cover the mycorrhizae.
If you are looking for a high-quality Mycorrhizal Fungi, we recommend the one from our friends at Reefertilizer START. It comes with kelp and other essential nutrients for your baby plants, and is super easy to use!
Step 4 - Water your soil
Using 2 liters (½ gallon) of dechlorinated tap water, moisten the soil slowly (ideally, over 60 seconds). There should be no runoff water coming out at the bottom (or you are watering too fast). This will be enough water to keep your plant going for another week without watering.
Step 5 - Wash your BudCups & reuse
If you are using the BudCups, give them a rinse to remove the excess soil, scrub them with a soft sponge or brush, and if you don't want to wash them by hand, just toss them in the dishwasher (top rack)!
FAQ: What if I am transplanting in the ground?
If you plan on planting directly into the ground, you can follow the same steps outlined in this lesson, but you may skip Step 1. Just be careful not to overwater your plants in the ground, as it can hold onto a lot of water!
Also make sure that you are feeding your plants the correct nutrients - the advantage of growing in the ground is that it is very difficult to over feed nutrients, as they dissipate around quite easily.
Congratulations on successfully transplanting your young cannabis plants! By following the techniques and tips provided in this lesson, you have set the stage for healthy and productive plants.
