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Container Gardening

Smart Pot users - some questions...

9 years ago

I've got a few tree seedlings in Smart Pots. I've noticed a couple have poked a few roots through the bottom. They're sitting on the ground, on soil.

Does the root pruning work on the part that touches the ground, or not? I seem to hear conflicting information in that regard.

They say it "airprunes" which makes sense on the sides of the container that are exposed to the air - but the bottom? Even if just sitting on concrete, wood, etc - that's the moistest place around - can't see how any air pruning would go on at the bottom of the pot...

Unless it's elevated on a bench, I can't imagine it would work, unless there is also some constriction or "trapping" going on like the competing Roottrapper pots.

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Comments (6)

Ernie
9 years ago
If fabric pots are in direct contact with soil, roots can and will grow through the bottom. As you noted, the air pruning effect only works for the sides.
hairmetal4ever
Original Author
9 years ago
The other question I have...can some plants have roots too "thick" that end up circling since they are too coarse to penetrate the fabric?
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hairmetal4ever
Original Author
9 years ago
Also - has anyone done or found a comprehensive study comparing root performance in Smart Pots vs. some of the competitors, like Rootmaker, Roottrapper, Air Pots, GeoPots, Root Pots, etc?
beauto
9 years ago
I have seen a rootmaker vs smartpot thread on a 420 forum. I can't imagine that there is much difference between their performance.

Smart pots are awsome and yes your roots will grow through the bottom and into the soil. If sitting on dirt, move the pot every day or two if this is an issue. I have seen nice fiberous root balls with 0 circling at the bottom.
hairmetal4ever
Original Author
9 years ago
I could see some benefits of the roots coming through, such as a bit of extra moisture protection on hot days with drying winds - but you lose the rootpruning. Moving the pots every once in a while would probably break any little roots that come through and mechanically prune them. That's probably what I'll do.

So do thicker rooted plants still get properly rootpruned?

Those "420" growers, whatever your personal opinions of them, do seem to keep up with the newest things and really know their stuff.
Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
9 years ago
One of the great things about fabric containers is that they act like small raised beds if you put them in contact with the soil and don't move them. The earth acts as a giant wick drawing excess moisture out of the pot. At the same time, it keeps the pot from drying out completely. For this reason, you can use a heavier soil mix in a fabric container in contact with the ground. I modify my 5-1-1 mix by replacing the perlite with DE (NAPA FloorDry) and replacing the peat with compost. I don't do that for my regular containers. I strongly recommend NOT moving these pots.

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