Some growers will simply start start seeds in the container they finish in. Most growers start seeds in small containers and transplant up into progressively larger size containers as their plant grows.
With some humour – Both styles of grower tell you the method they use is superior for, well… reasons.
The two main arguments I’ve encountered are: Those who want simple, and those that fear transplant shock.
Keeping it simple is the best advice for new growers. Transplanting can be a dirty job, and some just want to avoid the mess. Plant it – and done!
The second argument i’ve encountered is a solid fear of transplant shock – especially with autoflowering strains. With photoperiod plants, this is not of an issue as a plant can easily recover by keeping her in vegetation state. With autoflowering strains that we cannot control by light manipulation, transplanting could stunt an Auto-flower strain and ultimately negatively impact yield.
Where I live near the rocky mountains, we have a short 90 day grow season, and many do choose to grow autoflowering strains for a quick harvest. That said, if a plant is started indoors with intention for an outdoor grow – it will have to eventually transition to outside. Be it in a contaner, SIP planter, or in the ground – Do harden your ladies off to natural sunlight – adding bit more sun exposure each day before you put her out full time. Skipping acclimatizing them to the strong natural sun after starting indoors will be hard on your plants, and can even kill them.
Lets talk transplanting… when many do…
Most photoperiod cannabis growers start off small, often germinating seeds in paper towel, peat pucks, rock-wool cubes, or solo cups. From there, once germinated – they transplant up in pot size. I personally germinate seeds in paper-towel and transplant germinated seeds into solo-cups, when I see roots out the drain holes I move them up in pot size.
So… whats the root logic in it all? SpliffSeeds.nl gives us some great transplanting visual in the image below for both potted transplanting, as well in-ground root logic.
If your ladies final home is going to be outside in the ground, do consider testing your soil before transplanting and amend accordingly all the soil in a hole much larger than your existing size plant, giving her room to grow into.
Another option – For those that don’t want to transplant, but DO want to plant outside in the ground – consider using a large fabric pot! Fabric pots are made of a heavy felt material and designed to air-prune roots, however if buried and/or exposed to moisture, the roots will grow right through! The pictures below are what the roots look like from both inside and outside – growing through the bottom.
As above, is below! Large roots = large fruits!
Happy growing
You are the storm 
