Outdoor Smart Pots to outdoor transfer autos?

[Hexeract]

Hi guys. I've been doing photos outdoors for a couple years but I'm looking to do a few autos for this first time this summer.

I have a low legal plant limit (6) so i want to squeeze what I can out of the outdoor season this year. I'd like to start them indoors then bring them out a month later when it's warm enough. I've been reading you shouldn't repot autos so I wondering if I could start them in small smart pots (maybe 1 gallon? I have limited indoor space) Then bring them out, the idea being the roots will grow into the outdoor ground, so they'll have plenty of room to stretch.

Is this a good idea? I haven't tried this with smart-pots, in theory it should work, i was just wondering if anyone had some actual experience.

 

[Indicator]

I tried it last year and I didn't like the results. Autos really don't like a transplant. The smartpots are great, just use a larger size to start. Now I use 3L airpots and the plants do well through their whole life cycle in them. You can use a larger size airpot if you want a larger plant but the 3L does great for me and I don't feel I need a bigger pot. They have a small footprint, good to start indoors. Downside is you really have to water often when the girls get big as they flower and take on weight and get thirsty. I'm a big fan of airpots with autoflowering strains and grow only outdoors FWIW. If it's smartpots just go to a bigger size and you will get good results and avoid transplanting if you can. Your yield will be notably better.

 

[oldster]

Hi Rex,

I start my auto's indoors and transplant them outdoors; never had an issue. Go with the biggest pots you can space permitting. When I transplant I make a hole using an empty pot so that when I set the pant in the hole the soil around the roots is less likely to break apart. I try to have the soil medium moist as it seems to hold together best that way.

Happy growing