Ebb and Flow setup: Roots growing out of pots into tray

So from what I've read everyone has said the roots growing out of the tray is a no no. However, after doing some searching I found a few sites that advocate that it's okay for the roots to grow together. For example, this site: http://www.cannabis.com/growing/hydroponics-how-often-should-i-flood-the-tray-flood-frequency.html

They talk about the root mat growing into the tray and it being ok. I thought that was a no no and it should be fixed with bigger pots? Thanks.

For clarification, my pots are 5x5x5 right now. And I ask because I transplanted one of them to a bigger pot and she doesn't seem happy at all and if I don't have to transplant the others, I don't want to. They look pretty damn happy.

are u talking about growing out of the tray or into the tray? in the tray is fine, out the tray i would assume is not

Correct. Into the tray from the pots. Thanks!

well it really depends on the amount of roots exposed and the type of pots you are using, a 5x5x5 pot is less then a gal usually so that will only house very small plants usually little to no veg time (sog style) so if you are trying to grow larger plants in these pots you might want to get larger ones for the future, transplanting while using hydroton can put plants in shock and halt production for a week or two that is what you are experiencing right now and if you are in flower i wouldnt touch them at all just learn and make changes next grow.

Thanks! So on my next grow what medium should I use in the smaller pots to keep them from going into shock? In my bigger pots my ebb and flow tray isn't tall enough to get water to the rapid rooter pellets in the beginning (unless i bury them deep in hydroton).

Also, i moved up to 8h x 9 x 9 pots now. If the end of my roots don't reach the flood point ( though i think they should) will they work their way down eventually to the water?

i use 5.5" pots and do sog style no vegetation, my sour bubbles go from 5-8" rooted clones to 25-27" single cola plants...they finish nicely in those pots, a little bit of the roots will pop out but eventually become 'air pruned' you should be better with your bigger sized pots now if vegetating them for sure.

ok so you are wanting to veg in the smaller pots for easier water access to the clones in early veg, i will explain a much easier method of vegging that will eliminate the shock and i will follow up with a few pics so you can see what im talking about.

what i do is veg in 4x4x4 rockwool cubes, first thing i do is transplant the rapid rooter to the RW by simply putting it in the hole provided (after cube is properly soaked in ph 5.5 water with some added rooting hormone for 30 mins minimum) and stuff some excess RW material around the rooter as they fit loosley in the pre cut hole, now i do not set the cube directly on the tray as this causes the wool to retain way to much water and the roots will not be able to grow out the bottom of the cube so i line the bottom of the tray with rapid rooter trays then set the cube on those so the cube can drain freely and roots can and will stay healthy and pearly white, using the rapid rooter trays can allow you to veg for a longer period in these small cubes with no issues and allows you to be able to flood much more often as the cube drains much faster, also the massive roots that emerge from the bottom are safe and stay plenty hydrated as the cube drips on the exposed roots for the duration of the of cycle, here are a few pics these are 1 1/2 to 2 weeks in veg and will remain this way for another 4 weeks.

Wow! Exactly what I looking for. I'll do that next time as it seems like much less of a pain in the ass than transplanting.

I transplanted and they've all recovered btw. Nicely I might I add. I also topped each one.

In airpot ?

Had this happen a lot when I grew flood and drain.

Never was an issue, even grew algae on the roots but the plants could care less. They loved the channels where they could find a little extra water. I figure if the roots didn't like it there they wouldn't grow there. lol some even cover the area with black / white poly to hold humidity in there.

You can always line your tray with coco mat.. keeps the roots happy between cycles.
https://www.zenhydro.com/gh-cocotek-coco-mat-4-ft-x-8-ft-x-1-4-in.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sriBRD-ARIsABYdwwFe1toPEH7JbtGxYVv_BujSrgODkM3uGZcswTSyCzgdsxqUEzt2bocaAgbvEALw_wcB

mytwhyt said:

You can always line your tray with coco mat.. keeps the roots happy between cycles.
https://www.zenhydro.com/gh-cocotek-coco-mat-4-ft-x-8-ft-x-1-4-in.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sriBRD-ARIsABYdwwFe1toPEH7JbtGxYVv_BujSrgODkM3uGZcswTSyCzgdsxqUEzt2bocaAgbvEALw_wcB

Click to expand...

Im doing this now with fabric pots and I'm interested to see how much root growth really occurs. Wont know until harvest but i do know that the roots have definitely grown into the mat since the pots lift the mat if moved now.

mupepe said:

So from what I've read everyone has said the roots growing out of the tray is a no no. However, after doing some searching I found a few sites that advocate that it's okay for the roots to grow together. For example, this site: http://www.cannabis.com/growing/hydroponics-how-often-should-i-flood-the-tray-flood-frequency.html

They talk about the root mat growing into the tray and it being ok. I thought that was a no no and it should be fixed with bigger pots? Thanks.

For clarification, my pots are 5x5x5 right now. And I ask because I transplanted one of them to a bigger pot and she doesn't seem happy at all and if I don't have to transplant the others, I don't want to. They look pretty damn happy.

Click to expand...

The bottom of my tray is a 2-inch thick root carpet. I simply cut out a square when I want to move a plant away. Then I patch the hole with a new piece of poly batting for the neighbouring roots to grow into...