The Benefits of Transplanting Cannabis - 420 Guide for Beginners

If you don’t transplant your plants in time they might get rootbound. Rootbound means that the roots have grown all the way around the edges and bottom of the container because it is nog big enough. Your plant will not grow any more until you transplant it to a larger container.

The following symptoms are signs that your plant is rootbound:

Stunted Growth
Stretching
Smaller and slower bud production
Needs watering too often
Easy to burn with low % nutrient solution mixtures
Wilting
Red stems

Why Do I Need To Transplant My Cannabis Plant?
As mentioned above, the roots of a cannabis plant will dig themselves down and push through the dark, moist medium searching for nutrients. This way the roots grow into the shape of the pot and eventually become root bound. Plant roots will always end up growing in the same shape as the cannabis grow pot. So whether you’re using a round pot or a square pot, the root zone will still grow to this shape. The only way to prevent root bound and struggling plants, is to transplant them once you are happy with the root ball. Ideally, the root zone is compact but not too dense to breathe.

The Benefits of Transplanting Cannabis
Plants do best when grown in appropriately sized containers. This is true about all plants in all media, but it is particularly true about cannabis plants. In both soil and coco, transplanting helps promote the ideal conditions for early growth. Keeping small plants in small containers makes it easier to achieve the correct air to water ratio and encourages denser root growth. The risks of transplant shock are minimal even for new growers. Therefore, the benefits of transplanting cannabis plants clearly outweigh the risks.

How Much Space Does Cannabis Need?
When transplanting, it’s advised to give the plants at least double the space of their previous container. This reduces the number of times you must transplant, and therefore minimizes the risk of “transplant shock,” which may occur when a plant experiences extreme stress from root disturbance.

When in doubt, always opt for slightly more space than needed. A plant tends to require 2 gallons of soil for each 12 inches of growth it achieves during its vegetative cycle. You should also think about the space of the grow tent for cannabis.