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Container Gardening

Clear Container - Gritty Mix

9 years ago

Hello

I was at my local grower supply store recently and I picked up this (pics below) clear orchid type container for one of my potted gritty mix citrus trees. I thought it was a good idea to pick one up bc I could see if the plant would need or not need water etc. I also loved that it's heavy duty and I don't have to worry about the mix moving around when I pick up the pot.

After repotting I saw a tiny sliver of the roots which was against the pot wall and thought that roots don't like exposure to light. So, are these pots ok for use with citrus and the gritty mix or does the light problem make them unusable.

Thanks

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Comments (9)

Weicker
9 years ago
If exposed to sunlight, you may get some algae growth.
juventusopp
Original Author
9 years ago
Good point. Going to watch it closely and see how it does in comparison to the other pots. If it does well I'm going to use them exclusively. Thanks
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mksmth: I'm trying to germinate a few tropicals, I don't think it's a problem planting a seedling into the gritty mix because not much roots are there yet. Were your citrus much older than seedlings? Were they about 5-gallon stage when you transplanted them? Did you remove all of the old soil, aka bare rooted them?
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You're good with using the Foliage Pro 9-3-6 as it is a complete fertilizer, and will sustain your plants for the long haul. As for the root pruning, well, there's not really a time frame, because it's more of a do it when you need to thing. If the roots become crammed, then it's time, but how long it takes for roots to be crammed is based on the type of plant, size of the pot, and growth speed. Going to a larger pot is up to you. If you want to control size, you root prune, and pop it back in the same pot, but if you want to increase overall size, you prune a bit less, and pot up a size. Ultimately you're looking to remove the bigger roots, to allow more space for feeder roots. As for the flowering thing, I can't offer much there, as I don't have any experience with elderberries, but I'm certain someone will chime in that does. Joe
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Coming a bit late to this question I realise. Surprised no response as the gritty mix is also very popular in the cacti and succulent forum. Have to say I think this might be too expensive if like me you have a lot of plants in containers. Multi purpose compost is far cheaper than the gritty mix components although adding some grit and perlite would probably improve things. This would not add too much to the cost. I might try that next year and compare growth rates for annuals and potted specimens. Especially potted perennials.
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jodik_gw
9 years ago
I like to use opaque plastic pots for my orchids. They're not quite clear, but I can still see the roots and the Gritty Mix medium. The ones I have are like a smoky gray/brown, rigid plastic, and come with saucers.

I received them as a gift from someone... so I have no idea where to find them. A Google search would probably be the ticket if anyone wanted to find something similar.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
9 years ago
No, I don't think it appropriate for Citrus roots to be exposed to light. Orchids are very different plants with roots often exposed.

You could slip this into another pot, and then just check the roots every once in a while.

Josh
juventusopp
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Josh.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
Actually, heat build-up would be my main concern. Opaque pots either reflect light or absorb it and turn it to heat on the surface of the pot where most of the heat is lost to the air. Clear pots allow light to pass through the pot and be turned to heat when it strikes the soil, effectively turning the pot into an insulating wall that holds heat in.

The other concern, as already mentioned, would be algae growth. I've even had root temp problems with white containers that were only partially translucent. Maybe they'd be ok for shade, or if stuck in a cache pot, but I'd keep in mind the cautions mentioned here.

Al
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
Actually, heat build-up would be my main concern. Opaque pots either reflect light or absorb it and turn it to heat on the surface of the pot where most of the heat is lost to the air. Clear pots allow light to pass through the pot and be turned to heat when it strikes the soil, effectively turning the pot into an insulating wall that holds heat in.

The other concern, as already mentioned, would be algae growth. I've even had root temp problems with white containers that were only partially translucent. Maybe they'd be ok for shade, or if stuck in a cache pot, but I'd keep in mind the cautions mentioned here.

Al
jodik_gw
9 years ago
The neat thing about using the Gritty Mix in my opaque pots is that it dries out in good time, so I haven't seen any algae growth.

I only have my orchids in this kind of pot, though... they're only 3" pots, so none of my bulbs or other plants will fit. I do like them for starting some kinds of seeds, though... so I can see root growth.

I have noticed that many semi-hydro growers use clear pots... but those are kept indoors, so...
hairmetal4ever
9 years ago
If you want to be able to see the roots/moisture but avoid problems, you could probably design some sort of removable sleeve (preferably white or light colored) that can slip over the container.

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