Help - Did I blow it?

[Bulster]

Hi all,
One week into flower and it looks like I waited a little too long to start the process. It looks like I will end up at least 3 feet tall by the time flower is done, or even taller.
So my tiny grow is getting taller than I wanted which leaves me concerned about getting root/pot bound. Should I be?
Here are the details:
- Two pots with two plants in each pot. (I know, don't ask).
- Each pot is 4 gallons so prolly has like 3.5 gallons of soil in it (SuperSoil + 25% perilite) to two plants.
- So only 4 plants but I did LST and have total about 15 growth tops that are roughly the same height between all four.

Now,....I read somewhere that I should have 1 gal. soil per foot of plant. Well..... is that counting all the growth tops? or just overall height of the plant? I have at least 15 feet of plant if you add it all up.
Sicne they are not looking stressed yet let's assume it's overall plant height. Each plant is 15-18 inches tall already so when they hit 2 feet then I have already exceeded 1 gal soil per overall plant height. And by the time they are done I will prolly have around 3 feet X 4 plants = 12 feet of plant to about 7 gallons of soil.

So,..... am I heading into a nightmare where my plants get pot bound two weeks before flower and everything dies? Already now it would be exceedingly difficult to repot them but if it's that or death then I guess I would try. Would it perhaps help to use one of those 'growth inhibitors' that stop the plant from growing any taller? I would really just prefer to not have to do anything and assume that they'll be ok, but I don't to make an 'obvious' mistake. So what ya'll think ?

One more question, should I be removing a lot of the lower leaves and shoots to focus on the tops? It's quite dense with foilage down there....

Please give me them thoughts....

Thanks !

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

Bulster,

Calm down, you are going to be ok, first your plants will not die if anything you are going to slow the growth rate by constricting root growth but with 4 gallon buckets you should be ok.

the bigest problem you may have is keeping them hydrated, they will soak up water at an alarming rate in small containers. Use a high P (middle number) fertilizer every other watering.

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

Also,

try tying the tops of your plants down with string at a 90 deg. angle. This will cause the nodes of your plants to grow more vigorisly and increase your yeild. This has the same effect as topping your plant with alot less stress put on your plants.

[Bulster]

Thanks Jerry, that puts me somewhat at ease.
I don't have any more room in my tiny grow to do any more training. Plus I am thinking I prolly have as many tops as i can expect the plants to effectively support given that I'll be a little low on soil as they keep getting bigger.

What does the high P fertilizer do for me? I've been following Latewood's 3 part recipe so far. If you're not familiar with it here it is:
http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponics/93676-proven-nutrients-all-you-need-gh-3-part-calmag.html

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

thanks for the link, never saw that, very informative.
As for pruning, if it is blocking light to a flower remove it, if not leave itl

[Tendril.traY]

Im am not to sure but if the roots are already that big than you might think about takin a in.off the root ball and replace with soil?? jus a thought!

good luck