Alright, let’s talk about repotting cannabis. Just got done with a batch and figured I’d share my process. It’s not rocket science, but a few tricks make a big difference.
First things first: Knowing when to repot. I usually look for a few signs. Like, the plant starts looking a little sad, even when you water it. Or you see roots poking out the bottom of the pot. Biggest giveaway for me is when the soil dries out super fast after watering – means the roots are taking over!
So, I grabbed my supplies. You’ll need:
- A new pot (obviously!). Make sure it’s bigger than the old one. I usually go up one size at a time.
- Good quality potting mix. I use a mix specifically for cannabis, but a general purpose one will do in a pinch.
- Water
- Gloves (optional, but I hate getting my hands dirty)
Now, the fun part: Getting the plant out of its old home. I start by watering the plant a day or two beforehand. This helps the soil stay together. Then, I gently squeeze the sides of the old pot to loosen things up. If it’s really stuck, you can try tapping the bottom of the pot.
Once it feels loose, I turn the pot upside down, holding the base of the plant between my fingers. Give it a gentle shake, and hopefully, the whole root ball slides out. If it’s stubborn, don’t force it! You might need to use a butter knife to loosen the edges.
Okay, plant’s out! Time to prep the new pot. I put a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. Enough so that when you put the old root ball in, the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim of the new pot.
Then, I gently loosen up the root ball. If it’s really root-bound (roots all tangled and circling around), I’ll gently tease some of the roots apart with my fingers. Don’t go crazy, just enough to encourage them to grow outwards into the new soil.
I place the root ball in the center of the new pot and start filling in around the sides with fresh potting mix. Gently press down on the soil as you go to eliminate air pockets. You don’t want to pack it down too hard, just firm enough.
Almost there! Once the pot is filled, I give it a good watering. Make sure the water drains out the bottom. This helps settle the soil and gets the roots nice and moist.
Finally, I put the newly repotted plant back in its usual spot. Keep an eye on it for the next few days. It might look a little droopy at first, but it should perk up after a day or two. Avoid direct sunlight for the first day or so.
And that’s it! Repotting cannabis isn’t that hard, and it makes a huge difference in the plant’s growth and overall health. Happy growing!
