trimming roots

[growsativa]

i just had some free pots that ill be using when ready to transplant but the thing is they are wide and not tall and deep. i started my seedlings in 16oz dixie cups and they much deeper than these pots ill be using.
so my question is, is it okay to cut the roots before i transplant them? like half of root growth?that way they can fit into my new pots then have new root growth.
i also plan doing lst on some..
Thanks

 

[wuzzenme]

The plants will likely survive in the wide shallow pots but really, they will not thrive. If you are gonna go thru the trouble of planting and caring for the crop why not get some inexpensive and more appropriate pots. There are some fairly good deals out there on pots if you look around. Get big pots and good luck.

 

[KnuckleHedd]

Most commercial nurseries have so many stored pots that they throw tons of them away. I got all my pots from local nurseries for 50 cent to 1 dollar apiece. They have quite a variety of shapes and sizes as well. But, it IS rather odd to show up in mid winter to buy pots, so plan your pot buying trip to coincide with an appropriate time of year.

 

[growsativa]

yeah thanks, i understand.
but just to ask is it fine to trim roots when i transplant?

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

You can trim roots but it will slow the growth a bit. Not sure why you'd want to do that in the first place. Plants recover and grow faster when you don't touch the rootball at all.

 

[h.h.]

Fill 1 pot about 2/3rds up. Cut the bottom off of a second pot and place on top of the first and continue filling.

 

[+Vibes]

i was always under the impression that the taproot (the one going up/down, not right/left) was the most important to keep unobstructed... in other words, the shallow wide pots might not be the best choice. it might be the free option, but that doesn't mean its the best. i personally would never trim any roots, ever. JMO... i hope the roots take you to high places

 

[the lonely shoe]

i trim my mothers rootballs everynow and again to help them flourish more .....recovery takes a little while but well worth it ...it gives them a new lease of life once recovered

 

[ericed]

yes you can trim the roots and it will survive in the new pot but it might take a few days to recover. If you aren't relying on a set date to harvest, I say go for it and report back.

 

[growsativa]

Thanks a lot people.
i guess im not using these pots as advised by most of you since trimming the roots will delay the plants growth.