Chemical Root Pruning

Marijuana Horticulture

by Jorge Cervantes

Chemical root pruning is an excellent way to control root growth inside containers. Commercial nursery people have been using chemical root pruning for many years with outstanding results.

Uncle Ben used a product called Griffin’s Spin-Out that consists of copper hydroxide suspended in a carrier. To use, simply spray paint the inside of the containers with two cats of Griffin’s Spin-Out. Roots grow to within a fraction of an inch of the copper hydroxide, then stop. Roots will not touch the unpleasant compound.

The result is similar to what happens above ground when when new, lower growth is stimulated as branch tips are pruned. When pruned with copper hydroxide paint, more roots develop overall, and they grow in the entire root ball, especially in the center. Plants with a dense root system dispersed evenly throughout the root ball are easier t maintain, and they grow bigger in smaller containers.