double pot rooting question

[dodohead]

I have a 3 gallon pot that my 8 week old is in, and the roots are starting to grow through the bottom. I want to double pot it, but i have some concerns. First, if I do double pot, do I have to water the lower pot as well as the top pot, or do I just let it drain down to the second pot, through the first one? Also, is there any nutrients thata i can ad mixed into the soil in the bottom pot? Third, im thinking if i double pot, i can not move the entire pots/plant if i need to. I will be reading up on this sub. in the FAQs, but any other suggestions/comments are welcomed.

Thanks

dodohead Reviewed by dodohead on 10-19-2007. double pot rooting question I have a 3 gallon pot that my 8 week old is in, and the roots are starting to grow through the bottom. I want to double pot it, but i have some concerns. First, if I do double pot, do I have to water the lower pot as well as the top pot, or do I just let it drain down to the second pot, through the first one? Also, is there any nutrients thata i can ad mixed into the soil in the bottom pot? Third, im thinking if i double pot, i can not move the entire pots/plant if i need to. I will be Rating: 5

[Opie Yutts]

if I do double pot, do I have to water the lower pot as well as the top pot, or do I just let it drain down to the second pot, through the first one?

Each first, both second. You mix up some plain ol' water, with 2 or 3 drops of SuperThrive per gallon. It looks expensive, but a little lasts forever. If you already have some other B1 based additive, that would be fine to use. This will help with root development and transplant shock. Make sure the solution is PH 6.8 or somewhere near there, and any chlorine is neutralized. If you don't know, ask your water company for a list of what's in your water, or just ask them about chlorine. Get both pots ready, and flush them with the solution. Keep pouring it in until you see it running out the bottom good, and all soil has been soaked. Stack the plant on top gently, don't crush roots if possible. Water the top plant until water is running good out of the bottom of the bottom plant. Kind of very gently shake and/or wiggle the top plant while water is running through. This will help roots get dug in and find a home, and get the whole thing settled better as one unit. This is important: do not water again until the soil has almost completely dried out. (Also do this throughout its life.) If at that time it looks like the plant is going to do pretty well, then you can start feeding it at about 1/2 strength or less, and work your way up to full strength nutrients gradually, while watching for signs of stress.

Another way of doing it is to have the bottom pot quite a bit bigger, and put some coco or rocks in it, let the roots grow out into it, and you have a sort of soil-less/soil grow. Or hydroponic/self watering soil grow.

Also, is there any nutrients thata i can ad mixed into the soil in the bottom pot?

Do not mix nutrients into the soil or you will have no control over the plant. You will always be guessing how much of each chemical is in there and how much to add. You are supposed to give the plants certain nutrients at different times of their lives to maximize their growth potential. You especially need to do this when you go from veg to bud. Some people give their plants 12 or more different nutrients corresponding to what stage of life the plant is in. For me, that's a little overkill, and I certainly don't have time to figure that all out and keep track of it. Just look around this forum for what kind of liquid nutrients others like to use. I like Fox Farm stuff.

Third, im thinking if i double pot, i can not move the entire pots/plant if i need to.

OK. Is this a question? If so you are probably correct. It depends on a few things though. How strong are you, how are the disks in your back doing, is the soil dried out and about ready for watering? It's way lighter when it's way drier. HA! You know they have roller thingees (dollies?) made especially to solve that problem, or greatly reduce it. It's just a flat, strong piece of wood with three swivel wheels on the bottom. You can buy the screws, glue, swivel wheels, and main board or two with a couple 1x4 reinforcement boards, at a hardware store or HD. That way you could move the entire deal without a whole lot of effort. Now up stairs... well I'll just say that's a different story. For the swivel wheels, I would buy good sturdy ones, and the kind that you can push a latch up or down with your foot, to (un)lock the wheels. Those are a little more money, but how much would it cost to have a big, blooming, smelly, beautiful MJ plant rolling down the middle of your street? This however, I would enjoy seeing.

I will be reading up on this sub. in the FAQs

Good. I wish more people would take the time to do that. It would save a lot of confusion, embarrassment and time and stuff.

but any other suggestions/comments are welcomed.

Can't think of any, unless you haven't searched this forum and others for basic things such as "double potting"

Thanks

No problem, you're very welcome. I hope it was some help.

[dodohead]

Those are a little more money, but how much would it cost to have a big, blooming, smelly, beautiful MJ plant rolling down the middle of your street?

hehe, dont give me any ideas...
Thanks opie, this was alot of help.

why not just repot into a bigger pot ?

i just didnt want to repot the plant, i actually just wanted to see how the double potting method works out.

anyone else?