You need to get many things right when growing cannabis—such as the temperature, the growing conditions, and choosing the right seeds. However, selecting the correct plant pot is also incredibly important.
Healthy roots are essential for nutrient absorption, water retention, and plant anchorage. Without these, you’d struggle to yield excellent cannabis. The best way to achieve healthy roots is to have the right cannabis pot.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to select the right cannabis pot for the best growth:
4 Things You’ll Need for Your Cannabis Roots To Thrive
- Space – Your roots require plenty of space. They won’t branch out if your container is too small.
- Oxygen – Cannabis plants are no different from humans; without adequate oxygen, your plants will die. The right cannabis pot will provide the perfect oxygen amount without overexposing it to the elements.
- Nutrients – Plants need the right amount of nutrients to grow and remain healthy—including pH balance, nutrient availability, and optimal temperatures.
- Drainage – Your plants need to maintain water to stay healthy, yet too much water can also damage your plants. The best cannabis pot will provide the right balance.
The Most Common Types of Cannabis Pots
You can grow cannabis from various pots; however, each pot has different advantages and disadvantages.
Traditional Plastic Containers
One of the most popular options for growers is traditional plastic containers. They’re superb if you’re on a budget but need all the essentials for your plants.
Here are some common pros and cons of using traditional plastic containers:
Pros
- Low overheads.
- Transplanting traditional plastic containers is simple.
- Excellent drainage and it’s easy to add more holes.
Cons
- It’s challenging to protect your root systems from temperature changes.
- You could have airflow problems depending on the growing medium.
- Poor durability may cause structural damage and cracks over time.
Fabric Containers
One of the most modern interventions is fabric containers. Roots in fabric containers grow to the outer edges and bypass the porous fabric wall. However, cultivators instead cut them back, which enables new growth to begin.
Growers often call this process ‘air punching.’ It results in denser root composition, thus promoting stronger growth and development.
Here are some common pros and cons of using fabric containers:
Pros
- They offer healthy root systems.
- They provide increased airflow to the roots.
- They’re excellent for drainage.
Cons
- Due to the nature of the containers, they require more maintenance than other options.
- A flimsy structure may make plant support difficult.
Ceramic Pots
Ceramic pots are an excellent option for growing cannabis; people often call these pots terra cotta. They’re superb for growing cannabis in hot climates, such as southern California.
Here are the common pros and cons of growing cannabis in ceramic pots:
Pros
- These pots are terrific for maintaining lower temperatures during hotter days.
- The heavy weight of these pots is superb for anchoring them.
Cons
- Ceramic pots don’t offer the best drainage. You can drill holes into ceramic pots, but it’s labor-intensive.
- It’s challenging to move these pots around due to their heavy nature.
What Is the Best Growing Medium
Many growers choose soil as their growing medium. You could select either regular or composted soil. However, some other growers use a soilless medium—such as coco coir—but this is often the preference of an advanced grower. You’ll likely start with soil because it’s the most straightforward if you’re a novice.
Furthermore, you’ll need a way to catch water drainage if you’re growing a single plant pot indoors. Therefore, keep the container on a plate or tray to stop the run-off.
How To Pot and Transport Plants
Safely transporting your plants is essential for your cannabis plants’ health and wellbeing. You’ll need to transport your plants continuously when using container gardening.
When your cannabis plant starts its life as a seed, you’ll need to germinate it. After this, you must move the germinated seeds without damaging the taproot. First, place the cannabis seed in the soil with a pair of tweezers. You should use a small plant pit or solo cup at this stage.
Then, as the plant grows, transport it into larger containers. When the leaves start to reach the edge of the cannabis pot—you can transport the plants again.
Tips on Container Gardening Cannabis
- Always wash your gardening tools: You should always wash your gardening tools to prevent damage. You may witness the trichomes on your cannabis become sticky and damage your shears, so ensure you regularly clean them.
- Always sterilize your pots: Before you reuse your cannabis pots for new plants, you must ensure you sterilize them. You can use bleach to rinse and drain the pots effectively.
- Don’t re-use the potting soil: Using your potting soil repeatedly is always a bad idea. The pot won’t have enough nutrients because the previous crop used them, and plant pathogens may lurk inside your pots and destroy new plants.
What Is the Best Size Cannabis Container
Different cannabis plants require various sizes of containers. For example, autoflowering varieties are perfect for smaller containers because they don’t grow large. Always consider the final size of the plant before choosing the container.
A perfect starting point is using pot sizes of 7.5ml for every 30cm of plant height. Remember, not all cannabis plants grow the same way; some plants grow broad, but others may grow slender. However, using this rule can ensure you get the best container.
In Summary
Choosing the right cannabis pot may seem daunting, but you’ll be fine if you follow the tips in this article. Always consider the size of the plant, how it grows, and the growing conditions before choosing the best pot.
