Anyone tried using root trainers to transplant autos with minimal shock? Any feedback would be appreciated

[ocb]

Hi guys n gals. After nearly 2 decades of guerrilla growing in the south of the country, I am finally able to do a few autos in the garden!. I am considering starting them off in those long black root trainers that open up so they can be easily removed without disturbing the roots and thus reducing transplant shock. Has anyone had any success with this method? Or any experience with it at all? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated..

I know some of these pics are off topic (photoperiods) but thought I'd drop some in anyway for those who might be interested in my previous exploits. Peace

semi auto fire freeze - rgscsemi auto mighty wonder fuck- Alfemco semi auto fire freeze - rgscone big ass fast lemon drizzle - rgscfreezewarp  - rgscfast lemon drizzle- rgsctrained up freezewarp  - rgscsemi auto mwf x warlock  - Alfemco  

[catweazle1]

You could use a big netpot. When you transplant do it when the roots have withered, so you aren't harming the roots. You'll see the roots pop out in waves, increasing each time.

[MindSoup]

Lovely pictures geez, always nice to see some buds in the great outdoors. I've started GG plants (not auto's) off in root trainer's before and TBH I didn't really find them any easier to transplant from than a normal pot. The main benefit as far I'm aware is the root pruning effect stopping root binding which is particularly important if your planting trees. 

 

I would recommend @panik and @Ch@ppers method for autos. They start them in slotted jiffy pots (available at real gorilla seeds website) and get them into their final positions within 21 days iirc. I've never seen anyone have more success with outdoor autos in this country than ch@ppers. 

 

@catweazle1s idea would probably be a good shout as well, pretty much the same idea, but the method above is 100% tried and tested.

[Ch@ppers]

34 minutes ago, MindSoup said:

Lovely pictures geez, always nice to see some buds in the great outdoors. I've started GG plants (not auto's) off in root trainer's before and TBH I didn't really find them any easier to transplant from than a normal pot. The main benefit as far I'm aware is the root pruning effect stopping root binding which is particularly important if your planting trees. 

 

I would recommend @panik and @Ch@ppers method for autos. They start them in slotted jiffy pots (available at real gorilla seeds website) and get them into their final positions within 21 days iirc. I've never seen anyone have more success with outdoor autos in this country than ch@ppers. 

 

@catweazle1s idea would probably be a good shout as well, pretty much the same idea, but the method above is 100% tried and tested.

Yeah, we had some decent auto crops using those peat pots, biggest auto in them was 5-6 ounces? 

[Ch@ppers]

[MindSoup]

Hands down the biggest outdoor UK autos I've seen, even when compared to ones people had in their back gardens. 

[murphyblue]

@ocb i know @crazy-sheep uses root trainers he might be the person to ask.

[ocb]

Cheers for the responses. I've used those peat pots before and didnt really get on with them. I found they either dried out too quickly or ended up over watering them, trying to stop them from drying out ..

I thought the root trainers might be a good idea cos they open up, so you can remove them from their starter pot really gently. 

[crazy-sheep]

They are good. Roots look great in them as well

 

Easy to over water though as the top drys out like every pot does but as they are so small , you feel reluctant to poke a finger in as you'd damage the root so i always over water 

 

I've bought another set for the season coming

 

Good thing about them is they also air prune as the roots can only go down and out the hole so you can keep them in there longer than small standard pots as the roots don't get bound

 

The only issue with them is when it comes to planting, you open them up as one and it's hard to pick one up out of the trainer as you can damage the rootball

 

I use one hand to cover 3 plants rootballs , so thumb under against the outside and 4 fingers against the 3 plants rootballs and tip the 4th plant into my other hand (if that makes sense)

 

I prefer these over other type of pots

[ocb]

@crazy-sheep thanks for the response. I cant really picture the method you described at the end but I understand the dilemma, ie the fact the group of 4 opens as one unit. 

You said about being able to leave them in for longer due to air prune/ not root bound.. is that still relevant wit autos? I would have thought they would be going into final pots before the potential for root restriction? I'm asking as I've only done autos twice with very mixed results, and I'm determined to get this right!

[crazy-sheep]

When you open one side, so the plants sit on one side and the other opens up , put your thumb under the part where the plants are, so your thumb is against the outside of the trainer and your fingers are laying over the soil and roots of the 3 plants, like holding a book, then lift it and tip the 4th in your other hand 

 

Sometimes autos can throw out crazy amounts of roots in a week and get bound in small pots, that's why people recommend 7-10 days max in a starter plot to avoid them getting rootbound 

 

Pots that air prune lower the risk of this due to the roots tips stop when they hit air and new roots grow which makes the most out of the soil in the pot. 

 

Have a youtube search on the process 

 

 

[ocb]

@crazy-sheep it's all good mate. I understand the terminology/ logic. Was jus struggling to envision the handling technique you described. Think I understand now though, thanks.. wasnt aware that rapid root growth was a thing associated with autos. That's interesting to know.. what's your thoughts on using a heat mat under the prop for the first 10days? Can it have a significant impact on growth rates? Hope you don't mind me picking your brain. I have had a scour over the board but theres not much on it. And tbh, having seen you on the outdoor threads for years, I know that your opinion is worth listening to. Well, loads of ppls are. Obviously, but it saves me from reading through shit loads of threads trying to find the ppl worth listening to 

Edited March 8 by ocb

[crazy-sheep]

I got a heated propagator which i start everything in as it stays around 22c to 24c when lights are off.

 

Optimum temperature in a sense 

 

I need one though cos my tents in my attic and it's really cold up there early spring so heated prop is ideal 

 

Definitely helps bring them on better than low temps 

[ocb]

I've always known the optimum temps, jus never had to give extra heating much consideration before as its always been keeping temps down that I've had to deal with. I'm in a new property now though and I have a feeling that a heat mat might be required. Especially at night. Cheers mate

[CustardVape]

I started my garden autos off in peat pots last year , after a week of growth I gave the pots a good soak , peeled it away and transplanted into final pot. No issue at all.

The only ball ache is its easy to over/under water in peat pots so you got to be careful. This year I'm using the same technique but with plastic pots....