The Perfect Pot Size
What Is The Perfect Pot Size?
The answer mainly depends on your size and stage of growth as well as the type of cannabis plant you are growing, but make no mistake the humble pot can make or break your grow game – too small, and your roots will be gasping for air like a fish out of water. Too big, and you’re practically inviting root rot and fungal friends to the party. Fear not, we’re about to dive into the world of pot size perfection, so you can give your cannabis the Goldilocks treatment – not too big, not too small, but just right.
Autoflowers vs. Photoperiods: The Tale of Two Pot Sizes
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s address the elephant in the grow room: autoflowers and photoperiods have different pot size needs.
Autoflowers: The Compact Cousins
Autoflowering strains are like the overachieving students of the cannabis world. They’ve got their life cycle on lock, going from seed to harvest in just 10-12 weeks. With their compact stature and short growing period, autoflowers don’t need a massive pot to thrive and don’t like to be transplanted either as it can cause stress and stunt growth. Unless you have tons of growing experience it is advised to start your autoflower in its final pot.
A pot size ranging from 8 liters to 20 liters hits the sweet spot. Smaller pots work like a charm if you’re tight on space or aiming for a more compacted plant. But if you want to give your autoflower a bit more room to stretch its roots, opt for our 17ltr Fabric pots for optimal growth and root development. View
Some growers have been known to plant autos into pots as large as 30 liters to achieve massive yields, but these are for selected strains and involves numerous training techniques and extensive growing experience
Photoperiods:
Photoperiod strains dont have a strict growth timeline like Autoflowers and thus have different needs. They’ll happily veg and grow as big as you let them, turning into 2-meter trees if you’re not careful. With that kind of flexibility, their pot size needs are a bit more complex.
Start your seedlings in small pots less than one liter so that you have better control over their moisture levels and root development. For photoperiods in veg aged 3-5 weeks, a trusty 5-liter pot should do the trick switching to a 10 -15 liter pot before your plant flowers. If you’re letting them veg for longer like 6 weeks or more, upgrade to a 15-20 liter pot to accommodate their growing root system and prepare to upgrade even further if the plant grows too large during the flowering phase
If you’re really letting your plants stretch their legs with an extended veg period, you’ll want to give them some serious root real estate. We’re talking 30-40 liters or even larger pots to keep those roots happy and thriving.
Pot Material Matters Too
Now, let’s talk pot material for a sec.
Plastic pots are the trusty ol’ faithful – affordable and easy to find. But they can also hold onto moisture a little too well, increasing the risk of root rot or nutrient lockout. Transplanting plants from plastic containers is much easier because of their harder shell so it might be something to consider if you’re planning on transplanting your plant to various pot sizes later on.
Fabric pots are like the new cool kids on the block with their eco friendly approach and air pruning capabilities. They allow for air pruning, which means your roots get a little taste of fresh air, encouraging them to grow into a nice, fibrous system and avoiding root lock. If you’re growing outdoors or in a hot climate, fabric pots are the way to go. They stay cooler in direct sunlight compared to plastic pots but make no mistake they also have their drawbacks – Their soft shell means the bottom of the pot is squashed and may remain moist or damp encouraging pests and diseases. They need more frequent watering and are more difficult to transplant as roots can stick to the fibrous linings of the pot, or the soil edges can break up in clusters breaking off roots when transplanting.
Finding Your Perfect Pot Size
At the end of the day, finding the perfect pot size for your cannabis is all about striking that delicate balance between root space and moisture retention. It’s like a game of Goldilocks – not too big, not too small, but just right.
At Seed and Soil SA, we get it. That’s why our deluxe grow kits come with a trusty 17-liter fabric pot, perfect for autoflowers or photoperiod plants with a shorter veg period, giving your plants plenty of room to stretch their roots while keeping them cool in the sun. We also include a special bottom layer of leca balls to prevent moisture build up on the bottom layer.
Whether you’re growing autoflowers or photoperiods, indoor or outdoor, just remember: pot size matters. We like to think of it this way: If you squash all the plant material on top of the soil into a ball will it fit into the pot you have planted in? If the answer is no or even maybe you likely have a pot that is too small. Get your pot size right, and you’ll be harvesting like a pro in no time. Get it wrong, and well… let’s just say you might have a case of imminent root lock on your hands.
Sub Topics
Featured Products
Featured Guides
Sign up to our Promotion List
Grow kits For Sale
The Perfect Pot Size Read More »