New Grower Is It True ????

[Muddy]

That's a shame you stunted most of your plants but as you've learned, autos just don't like to be started in small pots. I used some 4.25" square x 5" deep ones for a long time before switching to the juice containers. I got pretty good sized plants with them. You just need to transplant them as soon as they sex. Even a delay of 2-3 days can stunt them. With the juice containers I'm getting another 1-2 nodes by sex with larger fan leaves. I cut them at 7" high and they are 4" square. Of course, that would be impractical for the scale you're planning. I've got a link to those pots if you're interested.

i saw first hand just how true this is. i started all my auto's in the 72 cell tray/dome and transplanted into the final hole outside a week after they aprouted and 85% are stunted. i stunted lowriders, masterlows, a jem, some auto diesel, and maybe even my auto asian haze although they seemed to take it alot better than everything else, the auto asians are 2-3 ft starting to show flowers but the other stunted ones are the size of a lollipop.

this is a huge problem for me due to the way i put things out and the numbers. next year im going to try to put them in 4in square pots or party cups but i cant really go bigger than that or i wont have space to start the numbers i would like to. im planning to put out 200-300 next year with over half being auto's

 

[Irish Pride]

the thing that sucks for me is i like to keep them inside the first week in pots, then outside in my yard for a few days to a week in the pots then move out to the outdoor spots in the woods. so roots dont have time to get big enough to hold the soil from the pot together for transplanting. i hate transplanting when the rootball isnt big enough to hold the dirt together. what i really need to find is some sort of coco/peat/ biodegradable pot that will turn to pieces after being wet for 2wks or so. that would be great to start em in and get em ready then just sit that pot right in or on my outdoor holes and let the pot fall apart as roots get big enough to spread into the holes.

i tried the cardboard looking ones at walmart and they seemed to stay together too well and i ended up cutting them off.

 

[smw5767]

Not to sure about what soil yet Muddy.I usually use bags of compost from B & Q, like your Walmart kinda store that's if your in America.Maybe i should look into Canna and other good brands.
Thanks for all the great info.

 

[Muddy]

Yes, I would look for a higher quality soil, something peat based. Take a look around and see what is available to you, then post them up here and we'll give you some opinions on them. Try and list the ingredients if you can.

Not to sure about what soil yet Muddy.I usually use bags of compost from B & Q, like your Walmart kinda store that's if your in America.Maybe i should look into Canna and other good brands.
Thanks for all the great info.

 

[smw5767]

Ok,thanks very much.