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Anyone ever used 'The Smart Pot'?

14 years ago

Just saw these 'textile' pots in the Dripworks catalog. They say they allow the plant to air-prune it's roots instead of them wrapping around the inside of the pot, stay cooler than black plastic, and can't be overwatered. They sound wonderful and don't seem too expensive to me. Was wondering if anyone used them for roses permanently (or otherwise). They show roses in their photos.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: Smart Pots website

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Comments (6)

aliska12000
14 years ago
There's not a very good photo of them, but they don't seem that expensive. I got some smaller ones with a well to water in the bottom but gave them to my daughter for her deck.

I have to have at least a one gallon pot or don't want to deal with it. The little pots of stuff dry out too fast, and I have mega watering to do as it is. I guess these are pretty big, and maybe I'll need some but have some spare 5 gallon ones now and lots of 1 gallon.

I may make one exception to smaller pots if I ever get my wrought iron spiral stairstep planter painted, and then those might be just the ticket if they will fit the platforms (odd shape).

Thanks for sharing!
sherryocala
Original Author
14 years ago
I was thinking of the 20-gallon ones.

Sherry
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Thanks Mike, I don't think these would be a replacement to good care. I was just hoping they would be an extra help in keeping the roots from getting pot bound quickly, I am not familiar with root pruning and want any extra help I can get ;) I have been looking at using them for veggies as a wicking garden and thought if they have use for that than maybe there was a way they could have use for my citrus too. I think I will give them a try and get some standard pots on hand if they happen to show a decline over the season. Do you water yours from the top or let it wick from the bottom?
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bebemarie
14 years ago
I'd love to know if roses can be grown in these and what would be a good size one to use.And how long do they last. Assuming like Sherry says that the 20gals would work.

I am currently using 1/2 wine barrels as I had a cheap source for them but that's now gone and my local Ace hardware wants $40 apiece!

Diane
aliska12000
14 years ago
Huge ones like 20 gallons would be great, but I couldn't life them even onto a cart.
sherryocala
Original Author
14 years ago
Here is an email reply that I received from Smart Pots.

"We do not have handles on our Smart Pots. I am working on a prototype but they only go to 15 gallon. At 20 gallons it would be very heavy to move and difficult in any container. What if you put it on a dolly like platform with wheels, would that allow you to do what you need to do?
The Smart Pot does great in Roses. Here is an article. http://www.smartpots.com/Websites/smartpots/Images/articles/Subtropical-Plant-Science.pdf
The Smart Pot will last 3 to 4 or more years. Depending on your location. The fabric has UV protection but eventually the sun will break it down.
Charles Jackson
charles@smartpots.com"

It answers some questions but not necessarily what I wanted to hear, especially about life expectancy. But I'm wondering if I couldn't wrap some weed cloth around them to cut the UF effect. Just a thought.

Sherry
bebemarie
14 years ago
Thanks for posting your response from them Sherry.

Too bad about the life expectancy. Had hoped for a "permanent" solution. I wouldn't need to move them once they're in place.

But it may work to wrap something else around it as a barrier to light.May still try it.

Diane

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