From Solo Cup to Gallon Glory in 3 Easy Stages
Listen—your clone isn’t trying to stay in that red Solo cup forever. She’s got dreams. Roots to stretch. Buds to bulk. It’s time for a pot upgrade, and we’re here to break it down OG-style.
Here’s how to take your plant from party cup prisoner to pot princess—in 3 clean stages. 🌱💅
Your clone’s been chillin’ in her red Solo suite. But lately? She’s getting antsy.
Signs she’s ready to move out:
Roots peeking out the bottom like, “yo, lemme out!”
Drying out faster than usual
Growth stalling or just meh
Feeling a little… cramped
👀 Pro tip: Flip the cup and slide her out gently. If you see a tight little root spiral—yep, she’s ready.
Alright, your clone’s been giving signs — she’s ready to leave her red Solo starter home and stretch those roots. But before you drop her straight into a 15–30 gallon pot, consider this:
OG Tip: Use a stepping stone pot (3–5 gallon size).
It helps prevent overwatering and lets your plant adjust gradually to her growing role. Think of it as a one-bedroom before the mansion.
Less transplant shock
Easier to manage moisture levels
Encourages faster root development
Especially helpful if:
You’re working with cooler spring soil
You’re growing autos or small-structure photoperiods
You’re not confident about soil hydration in large pots yet
A 3–5 gallon pot (fabric or hard plastic)
High-quality soil mix (compost, worm castings, perlite)
Optional: Mycorrhizae, root booster powder
Clean hands. Chill vibe.
Water and good intentions
Fill the pot ¾ full with your pre-moistened soil mix.
Gently remove your clone from the Solo cup.
No yanking — let gravity and a soft squeeze help.
Inspect the roots. If they’re circling, massage them loose.
Nestle your plant in, centered and cozy.
Backfill and pat lightly, don’t pack it down too much.
Water in with a light feed or plain pH’d water.
After 7–14 days in the 3–5 gal:
She’s rooted in strong
New growth is poppin’
The pot feels lighter faster = roots are eating and drinking well
Then it’s time for the big move.
If you want to skip the middle pot, you can. But be extra mindful of:
Moisture control (don’t overwater the big pot)
Shading your clone for a few days after transplant
Patience — root development will take a little longer at first
Now she’s living the dream. Big space. Rich soil. No more plastic prison.
Next Moves:
Keep her out of full blast sun for a day or two (she’s adjusting).
Hold off on heavy feeding for the first week.
Mist the topsoil or dome if needed.
Just let her chill. And grow.
“She ain’t gonna thrive in a mansion if she’s still learning to walk.”
Ease her in. She’ll reward you with lush leaves and juicy colas.
Wait till roots are packed but healthy
Use 15–30 gal pots with aerated, pH-balanced soil
Water well and let her adjust post-transplant
No feeding frenzy right away
Let the roots do their thing
Don’t overthink it. Up-potting is just part of the journey from lil clone to chunky queen. Treat it like a rite of passage.
Give your girl the space she needs when she needs it—not before. Done right, she’ll reward you with explosive veg growth and heavyweight yields.
Need help picking the perfect pot size for your space? Hit us up at OG416Clones.com or slide into our DMs on IG @og416clones 🌿