Do the roots want to grow down, or out to the sides more? I'm curious, as to what is better, allowing the roots to grow in a deep pot, of if you are better off in a 4 X 4 foot bed, that is (how deep should it be?), and allowing the roots to grow outwards and intertwine with the other root systems....
Roots
- Thread starter Lugen
- Start date
roots will first go down
They will spread out as the plant matures. Typically outside, plants roots at least go the drip line ( the area where rain would drip off foliage and hit the ground, but they will go out a lot further than that). In the contained confines of a pot, they will grow out to the end then normally start to go up, as they have found some more tasty soil that way.
Using a soil bed is great, but you can suffer from compaction very easily in large containers, so some sort of ammendment is needed to keep that from happening ( clay pellets, perlite, etc, and would not be a good idea to start a single small plant in a large soil bed.
They will spread out as the plant matures. Typically outside, plants roots at least go the drip line ( the area where rain would drip off foliage and hit the ground, but they will go out a lot further than that). In the contained confines of a pot, they will grow out to the end then normally start to go up, as they have found some more tasty soil that way.
Using a soil bed is great, but you can suffer from compaction very easily in large containers, so some sort of ammendment is needed to keep that from happening ( clay pellets, perlite, etc, and would not be a good idea to start a single small plant in a large soil bed.
Dee9
Member
Dr Dog said:
That is why most growers re-pot several times - I re-pot at least 3 times in a plant's lifetime.
You are dealing with a plant with a tap-root. Tap-roots will go down in seach of water and only later develop side roots. Corn is the same.
By gradually moving to bigger containter sizes, you will make better use of your growth medium, and more efficient use of your nutrients.
too big a container could lead to roots not being able to reach the bottom part of the growth medium - leading to wet, anaerobic conditions, which is bad for your plants health.
Deviant420
Member
2-3 week old clones 4 days after transplant. Roots spread apart when transplanted.
Also, my clone's roots have begun to grow upward ever so slightly from the 16oz plug placed in 3gal grow bags after being there for 3 days, forcing me to cover up with some more topsoil.
Also, my clone's roots have begun to grow upward ever so slightly from the 16oz plug placed in 3gal grow bags after being there for 3 days, forcing me to cover up with some more topsoil.
Quazi
Member
Don't be afraid to tear some of the root structure downward a bit when you transplant. This is especially true with a plant that is showing signs of being root bound.
The plant has begun shooting roots upward and in a spiral pattern and it will continue to do this at first when you transplant. You can literally rip them from the pattern and have them hanging a bit off the bottom to stop the plant from the upwardly, spiraling growth.
I'm not saying you should rip your roots off when you transplant, or that this is acceptable for every transplant (earlier ones are more sensitive). But, if it looks like it'll take it: roots can accept some training too.
-Q
The plant has begun shooting roots upward and in a spiral pattern and it will continue to do this at first when you transplant. You can literally rip them from the pattern and have them hanging a bit off the bottom to stop the plant from the upwardly, spiraling growth.
I'm not saying you should rip your roots off when you transplant, or that this is acceptable for every transplant (earlier ones are more sensitive). But, if it looks like it'll take it: roots can accept some training too.
-Q
M
moses224
If roots are bound I like to take a knife and simply slice the roots one slice vertically 3 areas. I then step up to next container size It doesnt shock the plant as long as you use logic and dont go crazy. Just my .02
