By Max Sargent

Sometimes, we all feel as though we've outgrown our home. The walls seem familiar and small, and we long for somewhere bigger and more novel. Well, the same is true for cannabis (kind of). For one reason or another, cannabis plants' root systems can outgrow their pots, leading to them becoming rootbound.

Though rootbound cannabis doesn't spell immediate disaster, you should still know how to avoid it, spot it and solve it so that it doesn't develop into a more severe problem. In this article, we'll show you how to do just that.


Rootbound Example

What Does It Mean if a Cannabis Plant Is Rootbound?

If cannabis is rootbound, then the plant's root system has become too big for its current pot. This might not be apparent from looking at the plant above-ground, but dive down into the subterranean rhizosphere, and you'll quickly notice that the roots look like they are pressed for space, curling around the outside of the pot.

Whilst some growers choose to keep cannabis rootbound, in most cases, it's a problem that will result in reduced growth and yield. So, no matter your skill level, learning what to do if a plant gets root-bound is essential.

Does Cannabis Like to Be Rootbound?

A minority of growers might allow cannabis to remain rootbound to restrict its growth and stop it from getting too big. If you know what you're doing, then this can work as a viable technique for limiting growth. But if you lack experience managing rootbound plants, you might end up killing them instead. So, for most, the answer is no; cannabis does not like becoming rootbound.

Pot-bound vs Rootbound

This distinction isn't so important for cannabis plants. Still, it is important for certain house plants that are prone to becoming rootbound, even in large pots.

All pot-bound plants are also rootbound, but not all rootbound plants are pot-bound. When a pot is too small, the plant becomes pot-bound, which causes it to become root-bound. But some plants can grow dense, rootbound systems even in large enough pots. Cannabis shouldn't do this, though, so the distinction is arbitrary.

Symptoms of Rootbound Cannabis Plants

Several symptoms might indicate a plant has become rootbound. These include the following:

  • Yellowing/discolouring leaves
  • Drooping leaves
  • Stunted growth
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Soil dries extremely quickly
  • Roots reaching out of the bottom of the pot
  • If lifted out, the soil is a dense mass of roots curling around the perimeter of the pot
  • Root rot (usually only after the root system has been bound for some time)

Rootbound Symptoms

Can Rootbound Cannabis Plants Recover?

Certainly! Rootbound cannabis is fairly easy to treat and can recover into a completely healthy plant again. Still, it's important you diagnose the problem quickly, preventing it from becoming an issue with more permanent repercussions. Of all the difficulties a grower encounters, plants being rootbound is one of the simplest to solve, so don't panic.

How to Treat Rootbound Cannabis Plants

Treating rootbound cannabis is straightforward, and even true beginner growers shouldn't struggle too much to get plants back on track. So long as you follow the steps outlined below, you should be able to return your plants to full health in no time.

1. Water Cannabis Plants Well

First off, water your plants well. This will help moisten the roots and any remaining soil, making the following steps easier. You should water 1–2 before you intend to transplant your plant.

2. Prepare the New Container

Now, fill the new container about two-thirds with fresh potting soil. Dig a hole in the middle where the root ball will go, and then dampen the new soil so the plant's roots can make themselves home more easily.

3. Safely Remove Plants From Their Original Container

Now, you need to get the plant and its root system out of the original pot.

To do this, slide your fingers over the stem, placing it between your third and fourth fingers. Then, tip the pot upside down, plant and all. All being well, it should just slide out of the pot. If not, you might need to pull a little, especially if the roots have grown through the bottom of the pot. However, you shouldn't need to tug too hard, so go easy.

4. Loosen the Root Ball

Once the root ball is out, you should see that it's all roots. Now, you need to loosen them by massaging the root ball. Gently agitate the soil, which should start breaking away, slowly becoming less dense.

Sometimes, the roots will have grown around the outside to such a degree that they need to be cut before the root ball can be loosened. To do this, use a clean, sharp knife and cut vertically downwards. The plant will recover from having these exterior roots cut, but be careful not to cut the tap roots, as this can cause serious damage.

5. Prune and Wash the Roots (If Rotting)

You may or may not need to prune the roots. Often, it will be okay to just replant the plant once you've loosened the root ball. However, sometimes you might need to prune and wash them, especially if they've been bound for a while and developed root rot.

Healthy roots will look white, and you'll clearly be able to distinguish one from the other. Rotting roots will appear brown and wet and will group together in an indistinct mush. If they are rotting, you should remove these sections, or the rot will continue to spread even when plants are repotted.

Cut off all discoloured roots, even if they look otherwise healthy. Then, once you have only white roots, you should wash the remainder in a hydrogen peroxide and water solution—killing off any remaining infection. Lastly, thoroughly rinse the roots with water, and you're good to go.

6. Replant in a Larger Container

Once everything is ready, you should position the plant in the new container. Place the root system into the hole you prepared earlier and then fill in any gaps with more fresh soil. And, while you want the plant to be sturdy in its new home, you don't want the new soil to be too compact, as this will make it more difficult for the roots to spread anew. To help the root system settle in, water well and then leave plants to recover.

If you had to prune and clean the roots, you can expect to wait around two weeks before the plant resumes growth.

Rootbound Solution

How to Prevent Rootbound Cannabis Plants

Preventing cannabis from becoming rootbound is certainly easier than reversing the problem once it's occurred. For the most part, it comes down to pot size, but the type of container you use can also make root binding more or less likely.

Calculate Your Pot Size

You must calculate the correct pot size for your plants. A seedling can make do with a very small pot—under one litre. However, it won't be long before you need to transplant it to a bigger pot. For most growers, it makes the most sense if this is the plant's final pot.

There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing final pot sizes—first, the expected final size of your plant. A strain's genetics are the main factor here, dictating the plant's maximum possible size. Some plants remain small and require smaller pots, whilst others will inevitably need more space.

A plant's size is also influenced by when you flip it to flowering, as the longer you wait, the bigger the plant will be. It's hard to give an exact figure, but generally speaking, a 15-litre pot should be adequate for most indoor growing scenarios and should help prevent root-related issues.

If you're growing outdoors, you'll need to increase the pot size, as plants will usually become much larger. Autoflowers should still be okay in those smaller containers, but photoperiod plants shouldn't be planted in containers of less than twenty litres.

Consider Using Air Or Fabric Pots

Air and fabric pots increase airflow around the root system, which tells them to stop growing. As such, they're less likely to become rootbound as they will naturally discover the limits of their growing space and restrict their own growth. Moreover, fabric and air pots allow for better drainage and aeration, which cannabis plants love, so it's a win-win.

Plan When You'll Transplant Your Cannabis

When you start growing, you should have a rough idea of when you'll transplant and have the relevant pots ready to go.

Seedlings are generally ready to transplant after 10–14 days—or when they have three true sets of leaves. Following both these rules should mean that you will transplant seedlings at the right time. When it comes to transplanting throughout the vegetative phase, you should know that plants (conversely) grow faster in smaller spaces, and you'll need to upgrade the pot size every few weeks until they reach their final container.

Note: Unless they are rootbound or suffering from other root-related issues, never transplant a flowering cannabis plant. At this point, they're no longer focusing on developing plant structure, and unless they're rootbound, they will not need a larger pot!

Don't Let Rootbound Cannabis Spoil Your Harvest

Being on the lookout for rootbound cannabis is a good idea, as it's a simple problem to solve if you catch it early. For most cultivators, if you transplant appropriately, your plants shouldn't become rootbound in the first place, which makes life very straightforward.

Avoiding rootbound problems is simply good practice, as it can stunt growth and, left long enough, can even kill off plants if it leads to root rot. However, you shouldn't feel too threatened by root-related issues, and if in doubt, remember—more space means better growth and bigger yields!

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: