Help me save my roots

[Hackk]

So I basically need to figure out a better way to veg in a 2x4 tray in order to transfer them to the larger pots for flower. Right now, I basically run 32 5" square pots for 3-4 weeks in a flood tray with hydroton. The obvious problem is the root mass getting tangled with others and the pots themselves, so Im pretty much forced to trash a majority of root mass due to tearing, so that there is no dead matter rotting away in the larger system once transferred. This not only shocks my girls, but the simple fact, it removes a large amount of healthy root structure which hurts yield.

So far I'm trying to figure out a way to cut the bottom of the square pots out so the roots dont get tangled in the holes, while still being able to keep the hydroton from falling out... or... and I dont have any experience with this method, but using net pots, and just doing a direct transfer into the larger pots. But as I said, I need to keep 30-32 girls in veg for my cycle, and that amount in 5" square pots fits my 2x4 tray perfectly...

So if you awesome people can give me some ideas, I would love it... I hope I explained clearly.

 

[jm420]

freezer boy came up with a root condom maybe that would work

 

[morrisgreenberg]

when you tear up roots you can use a shot of liquid karma, thriva alive or superthrive, these help with transplant shock, what really really helps is a shot of hygrozyme to help dissolve any dead root matter and/or a root excelerator or root 66. with most of the root products on the market now you can rip away half your root ball and be back up to spweed in a few days max like it never happened. hygrozyme will also aide in a burst of new root growth. the direct transfer is fine, some people do a transfer like that a few times, 2inch cup intos 5inch pot into 5gallon bucket

 

[MAZEinaHAZE]

i do the transfer that MORRISGREENBERG refers to at the bottom of his post....but i never remove the old container.....ie...

in 3" netpot with hydroton...once its time, they slip into a 5" netpot with more hydrton. Never rip a single root....never have dead rot matter anywhere.....helps stabilize and keep plant upright.

the best of both worlds !!!!

 

[morrisgreenberg]

the only time i ever cut nets off were tiny 2inchers, and thats only because i like to bang out tree trunks and the holes are so tiny, once you go to 3inch and up roots are totally unobstructed

 

[Hackk]

Thanks for advice, and to respond: I already use all those root nutes because of this problem. But I still need/want to remove any root mass if I suspect tearing, regardless of using hygrozyme or not, it still clogs the system, and still can cause rot. So I've removed upwards of 50% the roots to avoid that (the only time I didnt pull away the torn roots, was the ONLY time I've had major root rot). The rot kicked in hard half way into flower, so it was too late to save um, and I cant risk that happening again. So moving away from "dealing with shock", can we try and figure out a better way to veg so I dont tear roots? I've never seen it, but do they make square net pots?

edit- I see they make 4" square net pots, which might work, but 5" would be best. Im think of ideas like cutting slits down the sides of the 5" square pots, and turning them into nets, and just doing a direct transfer. But I still need to worry about other plant roots getting tangled. So that makes me want to invent a thin mesh to stop roots from fanning out... I know Im rambling, but this problem has been bothering me for a while...

 

[MoleMcHenry]

At Home D they sell rolls of weed guard fabric. This lets air and water through, but stops roots. You could cut pieces of that and place them on the bottom of your pots.

Sounds like you have some lovely root porn. Post some pics!

 

[HUGE]

I have a similar issue. I veg in 6" coco baskets filled with hydroton. The roots grow all I've the table & tangle into eachother. The biggest prob I have is uneven growth cuz some of the plants will start to dominate. I have to rip them apart to transplant into my ebb & gro system. I havnt got root rot yet after 3 cycles. But I will be buying a second ebb & gro so I can ditch the table & eliminate this prob.

 

[Hackk]

Thanks Mole, that may be exactly what I need! Any ideahow easy it is to remove roots when using this? I mean, can I still take out the roots and hydroton, or are they gonna be clinging onto the fabric?

 

[morrisgreenberg]

Hack you never mentioned you have root rot issues. also 30-32 plants in a 2x4 tray may fit perfectly, but when vegged for 3-4 weeks you gotta expect large root systems and entanglement, the only way i personally would recommend putting this number of plants into that size tray is to go straight into flower with no veg time and lollipop/sog style. ya just cant pack that many plants into that space and think your gonna be able to remove those plants without tearing roots and leaving behind dead pieces of root matter. hydro stores sell cocomats that do exactly what mole said

 

[FreezerBoy]

Hey Hack

Apologies for late response. Had to go play grownup for a few weeks. My root "condom" was an aquarium filter bag slipped over a net cup