Transplanting your cannabis plant is a very important step in the cultivation process. There are many benefits when done correctly, but it could also be a stressful factor when done incorrectly. In this post we will tell you everything you need to know about it.

Transplanting your cannabis is a super important moment: not only for the plant to grow strong, but also to identify any type of problem in its roots. After all, not all problems occur above ground, and transplanting gives you the unique opportunity to see under the surface of the soil. In addition, we can use this process to track the growth and heath of our beloved plant.

Although many people think that the size of the plant matters, in fact, what we must take into account when transplanting is the development of the roots of that plant. It is essential that we do this process as carefully as possible so as not to stress our baby plant!

Do you want to know more about this subject? Here, we will explain a little about its importance and show you a step by step so that, when the time comes, you know how to do everything the right way.

Why transplant?

As we mentioned above, transplanting is an essential step in the cultivation rocess.   for you to know the stage of development in which the plant is, to control its size and its rooting, in addition to knowing more about its health. After all, below is just as important as above! If the roots have problems, you will want to resolve them as soon as possible so as not to compromise your plant!

Our main tips right now are:

• Start small: sprout your seed and put it in a small place first, like a plastic cup or mini vase.

• Do not use clear glasses! Light can compromise its roots and put work to waste.

• Are you going to put the plant in a plastic cup? Drill holes in the base before transplanting, so that no roots get stuck or go through any damage or stress and also to allow for water to drain from the bottom.

• Some growers recommend some transplants until you leave your plant in the final pot – and it’s worth remembering that the final pot should be one big enough for you to put the plant in bloom. With some transplants, you will have a better chance of closely monitoring the development and health of your roots. But it is necessary to know how to measure: repeating the process can often stress the plant! Once or twice may be enough.

• Smaller containers are also a good way to start. After germination, use a small pot. This will help in the development of the roots and decrease the chances of you watering too much and throwing a waterfall of water on your little plant. (Yes, we already killed some seeds by throwing too much water, don’t do that migues)

• To find out if you should transplant, tap the side of the container/ vase to loosen the soil/roots from the walls. Turn slowly and feel with your hands if the plant loosens itself in a square filled with roots, or if the earth starts to disintegrate.If the roots of the plant hold the medium, it is the right time! If the soil loosens, it means that it does not yet have enough roots to be transplanted to a bigger pot.

• Use the biodynamic calendar! Flower days are the ideas for transplanting. We have approximately six flower days per month. Mark them on your private calendar to do this – and to defoliate as needed.

• Another important reason to transplant is to enable the growth of your plant – or even stop it. For those who grow indoors, it is best to stop transplanting when the plant height is good for your growth. Increasing the contact surface and root space allows for continuous growth, and when planting in the soil, cannabis can reach many incredible meters!

Be mindful of when transplanting

To transplant, you have to have a very healthy soil to feed and nourish your plant. It is important that, at this time, you check your medium. If it contains undesirable insects, fungi or even problems in the structure, you can solve all this before the transplant happens (soon, we will talk about pest control – so stay tuned here!).

It’s also time to look closely at what your plant’s roots say:

• Brownish or greenish and sticky roots, as if they had slime, are indicative of problems.

• You also need to be careful with some types of nematodes and other root feeders like aphids. This type of worm feeds on the plant’s roots, and can compromise its growth and cause disease. They are like little white worms, but make no mistake: these dangerous little creatures remove the cellular content of the root, preventing the absorption of water and nutrients by the plants.

• To get rid of bad nematodes, think about getting good beneficial nematodes for your crop. Some nematodes can even help to get rid of fungus gnats and some other infestations. We recommend you some deeper research about it

Now that you know this, let’s go step by step?

Transplanting Process: step by step

Before even starting the process, make sure if this is the right time. If it is…  Let’s get our hands on the ground!

Step 1: Wash your hands or use gloves to avoid contamination of delicate roots. Keep the environment as hygienic as possible for this process!

Tip: try not to water the plants the day before the transplant. This will allow the soil to stick slightly when it is removed from the starting container.

Step 2: check that the recipient vessel has been filled with the culture medium and that there is enough space to safely transplant.

Tip: do not disturb or damage the roots when transplanting. The first transplant has the greatest risk of shock, and this occurs as a direct result of damage and agitation in the roots. Stress can cause developmental problems, or even turn your plant into a male or hermaphrodite!

Tip 2: avoid bright light when transplanting. This will help to avoid the shock of the transplant as well.

Step 3: remove your plant from the smaller container and move to the larger one. Place it in the center, and fill the edges with earth.

Step 4: Always administer a healthy amount of water after a transplant. Be careful not to overwater your plant!

Other transplant tips

• Always monitor plants for stress symptoms or overcrowded roots.

• Producers who administer nutrients must cut the intake in half before transplanting to avoid shocks.

• Avoid putting too much soil in a container during and after transplantation. This can compromise drainage and damage root systems.

• Do not transplant after the beginning of the plant’s flowering cycle. The transplant shock can impair the initial development of a plant during this phase.

• Give the plant at least 1-2 weeks after a transplant before flowering begins.

• Have enough space available in the final container for a plant to develop fully. For indoor environments, this means 3 to 5 liters.

• Larger plants may require cuttings and other support mechanisms to prevent structural damage during and after transplantation.

If you respect all of this during the process, we guarantee that your plant will develop very well and be super happy with more space to grow. After all, even we are like that, right?

Do you have any special transplant tips out there? Tell us – we love to learn more from you too.

See you next all week, with more growing tips to grow the best cannabis in the world.