UPDATE
Transplanted the seedlings last night into the fabric pots.I believe they're 8 litres (I *think* that's about 2 gallons?).
I have learned my first lesson: I should have moistened the soil in the starter pots before I transplanted them to the cloth pots. When I took the first one out, the soil (I know technically it's not "soil", but you get it) crumbled away and the root system unfurled itself. It was surprisingly long, and looked like a spinal cord with all the nerves. To be perfectly honest, it was awe inspiring, and I spent a minute just looking at it and thinking about how incredible it is that a plant can create this whole elaborate and lengthy root system in such a short amount of time.
I made sure the soil was more moist when I removed the other 3.
I ended up dabbing some water droplets off the leaves. There's a bit of a knack to the funky green watering can, it turns out.
I have left the 5th seedling in the grow tray, and it is currently sitting perched in the middle where the 4 pots meet. After I transplanted them, I put a playlist on and let them have some relaxing tunes for 45 minutes.
I'm giving it a day or 2 to see how the seedlings respond to being transplanted. I think they're all going to be fine. If they are, it does leave me with an extra seedling, and I'm not sure what to do with it. I was thinking about letting the remaining seedling grow outside on the deck, just to watch it and see what happens. I am also open to suggestions for what could be done with it. I like experiments.
I also have a few other thoughts I am mulling around:
1) SCROG wire: Should it be made of metal, or string? Does the material matter?
2) I need to take some time to think about future mother plants. Specifically, how I would store it. I was looking at various grow tents online, the ones that sort of look like a very large thermal grocery bag. This week I plan to look through other posts on THC Farmer on this subject.
2b) What strain the mother plant will be. Bubba Kush was recommended ITT and is being considered. I took a bit of time to research indica strains that are more on the stout side, to see what my options are. I did learn that one of my favourites, God Bud, grows on the short side. I still want to do more research into this.
In the Grow Guide PDF, it gives a few recommendations I thought I would share here and see what people think about them:
1) Mycorrhizae powder. "Fungus plays a large role in our forest ecosystems around the globe. You can take advantage of plants natural relationship with fungi by introducing Mycelium directly to your soil. Mycelium are the root like network of mushrooms. Mushrooms are actually the fruiting body of mycelium. They help your plants by forming a relationship with their roots where they will exchange nutrients with the roots for sugars exuded by the plants. Plants know what they want and they ask the mycelium to bring it to them. Using this inoculant in your garden can greatly increase the efficiency of your plants root system and is highly recommended.". I did not do this, because I was unable to locate any where I am.
2) Organic, unsulphured molasses. It recommends 1 TBSP to 4 Litres of water. "As a form of carbohydrate it is used by the microbiology in your soil to feed on, increasing their population and further breaking down nutrients in the soil to be available to your plants. It also contains trace minor elements your plants can use.". It recommends doing this to "kickstart the soil life" if the soil dries out. It suggests this can be given to the plants during flowering, up to the last week or 2. It also advises against overuse, which can screw up the PH of the soil.
There was a preamble about how the soil is a living thing, explained what the rhizosphere is, etc..
It lists a host of other things, but those are the 2 I am more interested in. Other suggestions included:
1) Lactic acid bacteria or Lactobacillus. A recipe is also provided.
2) Bokashi
3) Aloe
4) Coconut water
5) Silica
6) Seed sprout tea
7) Compost tea
8) Malted Barley as a top dressing
9) Earthworm castings (This is an ingredient in the soil already, but it was also listed).
