Hey guys and gals, forgot to put this up yesterday. So went ahead and up potted all my plants I first let them dry up a bit so it's safe to move out of the pot. The plants never wilted though so not too much. Here is a little step by step of how I up pot to ensure no or limited stress is put on the plants and ensure no root shock. Firstly all water and new soil added to my pots or anything in this process is the same or near enough to the soil that they are in currently. This is very important. I see so many problems after up potting I have not had one when I do it like this... And then follow the following....
Step 1.
I get all my pots I'm going from a 1Ltr to a 3ltr. I put a thin layer of my own super soil in the very bottom that has been cooking for around 3 weeks. When the plant hits this layer it will probably through a hissy but tells me where the roots are and gives them a boost.
Step 2.
I then add a layer of soil with just added worm casts Mycorrhizae and seaweed meal. I use a bummy pot the exact same as the plants are currently in. I want the Rim of the smaller pot slightly lower than the rim of the new bigger pot
Step 3.
I then remove the pot out and sprinkle a dusting of Mycorrhizae over the top of worm cast and soil mix. This is so when the roots start searching and before they get into the super soil below they are fully equipped with the fungi required to make the most of the potential nutrients.
Step 4.
I then place the dummy pot back in and start to put soil around the sides of it filling the gap between the small and large pot. Do this all the way round dont start pushing soil down the gap just poor it in with your hand for now.
Step 5.
Next push it down with a little pressure all the way round. Now repeat the previous step until it's about 1cm up from the rim of the pot. The reason I do it stage by stage and not It one go is so there is not any air gaps left in the soil.
Step 6.
Now by putting your fingers inside the smaller pot and thumb on the bigger pot (see picture) go round and squeeze the dummy pot up to the side of the new pot but not too much your just getting the soil to hold its form and to free the dummy pot slightly.
Step 7.
You can normally check weather the soil is compressed enough when no soil falls out when you turn the pot side ways.
Step 8.
You can now remove your dummy pot to reveal you now have the perfect new hole for your plants to go in. The old soil will sit directly up against the new soil meaning no air gaps or pockets. Just good fresh fertile soil the plant will love you for. If you have air pockets remove the soil out from the sides and start again. If you leave it there is a chance of that air getting trapped and turning bad.
Step 9. With a squeeze bottle mist the hole with water ( I use nothing but rain water or water out the pond, tap water should NEVER be used in organics) make it so its wet but no so soil starts falling from the edges.
Step 10.
Get yet more Mycorrhizae and wipe/dust up the sides of the hole. Now that's its wet it should stick.
Step 11.
Get one of your plants and prepare to turn upside down. Make a Vulcan sign with two fingers either side of the stem supporting the soil around the stem.
Step 12.
Turn your plant upside down. This is where the soil needs to be fairly dry, as it looses moisture soil will shrink and in turn free itself from the sides of the pot. Give it a bit or persuasion by squeezing the pot gently and tapping the bottom once it's free always lift the pot from the plant.
Step 13.
Gently turn the plant the right way up and put into the whole it should fit perfect!
Step 14.
Top up the soil over the top and push the soil down and into the centre.
Step 15.
Finally water in (I also add a little root enhancer to the water when I water in). By watering the entire top of the soil concentrating on the area the old and new soil now touch. This is to bed the two soils together and keep the roots moist.
Back into the tent. My girls are currently under a 300W CFL and loving life.
This is a picture of when I put them back from being up potted.
And this is a picture just 24 hours later
The growth spurt has kicked in and not that it's clear but they have not only fanned out but also new shoots from the nodes have started popping and the stems are proper thickening up.
Top result and shows they are happy with the new home and turning it up!
Hope this helps some guys and gals out there. Share this page to them if they need it
