3hounds

One of the most common newbie mistakes is to plant multiple seeds in one container. Once the plants grow to any size at all, you will quickly realize your error, but often folks don't know how
to successfully separate them.

Pictured is a clay pot in which I planted several seeds of a
variety called "303". I know nothing about the variety- I was
just looking for some cheap seeds on C-Bay to use in this thread,
and 303 was there. We have here five viable plants- some taller
than others, but all look healthy. Their growth has slowed
considerably lately- there is just too much competition going on
for nutrients. Separating them will give each one a chance to
grow and be the best it can be.

I am asking you to not post follow ups until after I am done- it
just makes the threads read so much better

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3hounds

The first thing you need to do is get all your supplies together.
Once we begin cutting into the roots air and light will be our
enemies- we will have to work fairly fast, and don't need to have
to go looking for the goldarned compost. If you are working
outdoors, a shady location is preferred. Mix your soil with
whatever ammendments you use, and get the pots or buckets mostly
filled up and watered well. Watering the newly mixed soil helps
it settle and reduces air pockets, and having water available is
handy if your roots dry out during the transplant (or you get mud
in your eye )

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3hounds

The next task is to get the rootmass out of the pot..... if it
seems unwilling to come out, roll the pot around on its side to
loosen it. Place your fingers carefully around the plants and
invert the pot- sometimes you have to bang the pot to get it to
let go of the soil, but do not move or rearrange your support
hand/fingers as long as you can't see anything.

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3hounds

Here is the rootmass out of the pot, and we clearly have a
dilemma. Some of the plants are all crowded together, and it is
obvious that we will damage roots when we separate them. That's ok, but as little damage as possible is still preferred. Look at the surface of the soil and try to get an idea how best to divide
them.

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3hounds

Here's my plan- I've drawn my planned cuts for you here. Once you have an idea how you think it needs to go, grit your teeth and cut. Be decisive and just saw- the sooner you get 'em cut apart the better.

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3hounds

Sawing the plants apart is actually gentler than ripping them or
pulling them apart. The roots that are torn will have clean cuts
that heal easily, and the tiny tiny roots won't have been shoved
around too much.

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3hounds

More cutting- I'm trying to leave as much soil around each plants
roots as I can, but damage still happens. You can't waste too
much time in doing this- all those exposed roots lying around are
already starting to dry out.

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3hounds

Now we're getting somewhere- each chunk of soil has a plant and that was our goal. A spritzer of water on the roots will help if you think they are laying there and drying out. If you are in the sun, you don't have long.

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3hounds

Here are the five little plantlets. Each has its roots fairly
intact, although they are a bit roughed up. It's ok. Providing
you follow the rest of my suggestions they will be fine.

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3hounds

Get each plant planted in its own pot. You can pot them
deeper than they were previously- cannabis easily forms
adventitious roots (word of the day ) on the stem that is
buried. You'll try not to let the soil fall apart any more than
is absolutely unavoidable, and will handle them gently but
rapidly. Keep the pots sitting in the shade or under reduced
lighting as you finish the rest.

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