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When to Transplant Cannabis for the Best Results: The cannabis plant is a sturdy and resilient one that can grow in a variety of conditions.
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Soil
The soil you use will have a big impact on how well your cannabis grows. If you’re using poor quality soil, your plants will likely suffer from a lack of nutrients and be more susceptible to disease. Transplanting your cannabis into better quality soil can help improve the health of your plants and increase your yield.
Test your soil’s pH levels
When you want to learn how to transplant cannabis, the first thing you need to do is test your soil’s pH levels. You can do this with a simple soil test kit that you can buy at any garden center. The ideal range for cannabis is between 6.0 and 7.0, but it can also tolerate a slightly wider range of 6.0 to 7.5. If your soil is outside of this range, you will need to adjust it before planting by adding either sulphur (to lower the pH) or lime (to raise the pH).
Amend your soil as needed
The most important time to amend your soil is before you plant. This gives the amendments time to break down and become part of the soil. You can also add amendments to existing planting beds to improve drainage, aeration, and fertility. Some gardeners do this every year, while others do it every few years as needed.
When you amend your soil, be sure to add the appropriate amount of organic matter for your plants. Too much or too little can both be problems. Follow the recommendations on the products you purchase or ask a nursery or extension agent for help in determining how much to add.
Timing
Spring is the best time to transplant your cannabis plants. This is because the days are getting longer and the risk of frost is decreasing. Transplanting in the spring will also give your plants a longer growing season.
Transplant when your cannabis is in the vegetative stage
One of the most common questions we get here at ILGM is “when should I transplant my cannabis?”.
The answer is… it depends. It depends on what stage of growth your plant is in, and what your goals are.
We’ll go over the different stages of cannabis growth, and when transplanting is recommended for each stage.
Seedling Stage:
transplants can be done as early as the first set of true leaves appear. If you start your plants in a soil medium, they can be transplanted into a larger pot without any issues. However, if you’re using a coconut coir or peat moss medium, we recommend waiting until the seedling has developed a good root system before transplanting.
Vegetative Stage:
This is the best time to transplant cannabis. The plant can handle the stress of being moved, and will quickly recover and continue growing vigorously. Just make sure not to shock the plant by moving it too big of a pot – remember that cannabis still has a taproot at this point in growth, so going from a 3-inch pot to a 5-gallon bucket is probably not a good idea. A 2-3x size increase is plenty.
Flowering Stage:
We do not recommend transplanting during the flowering stage unless absolutely necessary (for example, if your plant is rootbound). Transplanting during flowering can shock the plant and cause her to halt flower production and focus on growing roots and leaves instead. If you absolutely must transplant during flowering, take extra care to minimize stress on the plant.
Transplant in the morning or evening
The best time to transplant cannabis is in the morning or evening, when the temperature is cooler and the sun is not as intense. You will want to replant your cannabis in a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Be sure to firm the soil around the roots and water well, until the water drains from the bottom of the pot.
The Process
The best time to transplant your cannabis plant is when it is in the vegetative stage. This is because the plant is not flowering and the root system is not as developed. Transplanting during the vegetative stage will minimize the amount of stress on the plant and the roots will have an easier time adjusting to the new environment.
Water your cannabis plant the day before transplanting
Water your cannabis plant the day before transplanting. This will help prevent your plant from being stressed when you move it. If you are using a pot with drainage holes, water the plant until water runs out of the holes. If you are using a pot without drainage holes, water the plant until water starts to pool at the bottom of the pot, then stop.
If you are transplanting into soil, make sure the soil is damp but not wet. You should be able to squeeze a small handful of soil and have it hold together, but crumble apart when you open your hand.
Dig a hole that’s twice the size of the root ball
Dig a hole that’s twice the size of the root ball and mix in some compost or other organic matter. If your plant is rootbound (the roots are circling the root ball), gently loosen them up before planting.
Water the plant well and apply a layer of mulch around it, being careful not to cover the stem. Water regularly and fertilize every few weeks until established.
Gently remove the plant from its current pot
Carefully remove the cannabis plant from its current pot. If the plant is rootbound (a condition caused by a lack of space in the pot), gently loosen the roots with your fingers before transplanting.
Fill the new pot with fresh, pre-moistened planting mix. Make a small hole in the center of the planting mix, and then carefully place the plant in the hole so that the roots are spread out evenly.
Pack the planting mix around the base of the plant, and then water thoroughly to settle the roots.
Place the plant in the hole and fill in with amended soil
Gently take your plant out of its container and place it in the center of the hole. The root ball should be level with the soil surface or slightly higher. This ensures that the plant will not settle too deeply and bury the crown. Fill in around the roots with amended soil, tamping gently as you go to remove any air pockets. Water well to settle the roots and soil.
Water the plant well
Water the plant well the day before you plan to transplant it. This will help to make the roots less prone to shock when they are disturbed.
Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the original pot that your cannabis plant came in. If you are transplanting into a larger pot, make sure that the hole you dig is only about half as deep as the new pot will be.
Carefully remove the plant from its original pot, being sure not to disturb the roots too much. If the roots are very matted, you can gently loosen them with your fingers before transplanting.
Place your cannabis plant in the new hole, and backfill around it with fresh soil. Gently firm the soil down around the base of the plant with your hands to secure it in place.
Water your transplanted cannabis plant well, and keep an eye on it over the next few days to make sure that it is adjusting well to its new home.
