just changed to 12/12

[ganja09]

i have two white widow females, both 2.5 months old just put one, a foot tall maybe 13" and other 10" into flowering 4 days ago and are already showing signs of flowering, are these too small to flower ? should i revert back to vegatitive stage? help !!?

ganja09 Reviewed by ganja09 on 06-25-2009. just changed to 12/12 i have two white widow females, both 2.5 months old just put one, a foot tall maybe 13" and other 10" into flowering 4 days ago and are already showing signs of flowering, are these too small to flower ? should i revert back to vegatitive stage? help !!? Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

As a general rule of thumb...after placing in flower, Indica doms will double (or slightly more) in size, Sativa's can tripple or quadruple in size. I kiddingly refer to it as P.M.S. (pre-motherhood stretch) It depends a lot on pot size, and when you last transplanted. (or when you plan on the final transplant) I usually transplant into final pot within a week and a half or two weeks after going 12/12. (sometimes a tad sooner) The flowering ladies appreciate the fresh soil and footroom.

Tiz up to you about the reverting back to veg, but it does take extra time for the plant to revert. Not bad if a normally stable strain like WW, but if growing bagseed or strains with sketchy genetic stability, this can stress 'em too much. Unless you are looking for 5 foot monsters, you might want to keep on keepin' on in flower.

What size pot(s) are you in? When did you last transplant?

[ganja09]

yeah pots are about 7 or 8 " by 4 or 5 " i started them in these pots and have been in them since ?

[Rusty Trichome]

Personally, I'd go ahead and transplant into a larger pot now, and keep 'em on 12/12. This will give you a better picture of what the plants are likely to do in flower so next time you can plan from there, keeping headroom restrictions in mind. Switching back-n-forth gains you limited knowledge, and can stress 'em out.

As long as you've got alternating internodes, they are old enough to start flowering. You just lose some of the bulk and height that you'd get with a longer veg.

[ganja09]

ok thanks for ur advice very helpful can u give me ur best and safest tips on transplanting as i am a bit wary of damaging the plants or root system while transplanting? thank u

[Rusty Trichome]

Let the soil in the pot dry-out a bit. This keeps the rootball intact during transplant. Moist soil crumbles.
Prepare the new pot with drainage and fresh soil.
Turn plant upside down with the trunk between your fingers. Give a little 'whack' to the bottom, and catch the plant as it slides right out. Be careful with the tops while you're doing this. I've broke a couple by not paying enough attention to the plants length.
Turn upright, and place in fresh pot. Gently massage a few of the roots out of the rootball to let them know there's fresh meat available. Don't fold, spindle or mutilate the roots, but should look like it's having a bad hair day in a couple spots along the side.
Fill in with fresh soil, gentle pressure.
Water deep with properly ph'd water.
Add more fresh soil to the voids watering created, but leave an inch or so at the top of the pot. This leaves room for future feeding and watering.

Also, don't leave the rootball exposed and go answer the telephone or hit the store for munchies. Shouldn't need to rush things, but don't dawdle either.