OK, then, I'll be the first!

I have a Halcyon hosta in a fabric spin-out bag (the fabric is treated with copper to prevent outside roots from penetrating the bag), its been in the same bag for probably at least 5 years now. It does fine. I plant the bag in a large ceramic planter, and pull it out and store in the barn over the winter. (it being the hosta in the bag -- put the bagged hosta in the barn over winter).

So you use a spin out bag that is inserted into a ceramic planter? I've done something like that! I once planted a large pot with a few different plants but wanted to not have to rip the roots out of the planter come fall.

From the fabric bag that I am trying now, I think it is much more breathable than the spin out bags. I think they dry out a lot faster.

"So you use a spin out bag that is inserted into a ceramic planter?"

Yep. I still have a box of spin-outs that I've never used, no reason to buy something else when I still have those. I tried the fabric grow bags for some potatoes one year and didn't like them. I repurposed them to carry hay to the feeders when I used to have horses.

What was it about the fabric grow bags that you didn't like?

ester in the hosta forum has used them.. but she just got a new house.. so apparently isnt paying attention ....

and of course.. you didnt post there .... peeps with maples have tried them for years ... perhaps you knew this and were looking for non-hosta peeps .. eh?

ken

I have grown annual flowers and vegetables in them for a some years. I like them. They drain well. I don't think they are pretty but they are easy for me to move if needed. Two of mine have ugly green bottoms right now. I have reused the better made ones. I washed them and air dried them. I have never tried a perrenial in one. I have never thought about trying because I feel our ugly Chicago winters would really make them wear out faster and freeze solid killing all the roots in the bag. I have never thought about using them inside a pot!! That is ok if the pot also has drainage. I would never use them in the front of my house but the back yard is great for them. lol

@newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada - do you like them for perennials? What don't you like about them? What do you like about them? How do you store them for winter?

Ken, I was just looking more gardeners that have tried them. It seems some people like them, and some don't. So I want to try them (and have begun). Wondering what the negatives will be. So far, it seems those bags need more watering. Spin out bags are heavier, water permeable but I don't think they would dry out as fast if they were on the surface rather than in the ground.

Patti, I wish I could answer your questions! Mxk3 said they used a spin out bag and planted it into a ceramic planter. I've done that. Spin out bags are made to be planted into the soil. So I had a large planter with assorted plants. The hosta plant was in a spin out bag, the others weren't. Come fall, I removed it from the planter and dug it into the soil to overwinter.

Fabric bags aren't made to be planted into the ground. But maybe it would work? You certainly could put the fabric bag into a pot. Not sure what the benefits of that would be. But it would be helpful when overwintering. That way, you would remove the fabric bag and store and overwinter the ceramic pot away from rain and snow and freezing temperatures.

I don't think one should worry about the roots freezing in the fabric bags. The roots freeze in pots that are left outside too! As I understand it, it isn't the freeze that kills the roots, but it is the freeze/thaw/wet conditions that can cause root and crown rot. I will be storing my two fabric bags in a shed.

Spin-out bags are not heavier than the fabric bags I used. I think the fabric bags were from Gardener's Supply, but I could be wrong there -- it was a few years ago. I just didn't think my vegetables grew all that well in the fabric bags, that's all I can really say about not liking them. Anyway, the spin-out bags can be (relatively) easily arranged inside pots, they're not think at all, whereas the fabric bags I had were much thicker and I can't imagine them being easy to deal with; but, I never tried so I may be totally wrong there.

I think there must be different qualities of fabric bags. The ones I have seen are not thick and quite pliable, and I have those. For me, spin out bags are more expensive than fabric bags. In addition, spin out bags are to be used inside out if planting into soil. What that means is that the felt side is then on the inside, and the roots stick to it. So when removing, some of the roots get ripped. Not sure if spin out bags are still available.

I am sorry but I have never heard of a spin out bag until this thread. I have to do all of my gardening in containers. I have been trying the bags for the last few years here and there and they seem to work well. This last summer I purchased 6 that are 8 gallons each and they all will be used again next year. They held up nicely. Right now I have carrots growing in a few grow bags close to the house. They seem to work okay. I have tried a few different brands. Some are very cheap. If I could do all inground vegetable gardening I surely would. I would never think of planting the bags in the ground. I must have been unclear there. The idea of arranging the bags inside a planter is great. I did not understand the spin-out bag sizes until now. The grow bags I use are all 8 gallon or larger so I am not looking to lift them filled and put them into a container.

Patti, sounds like you are pretty successful with your fabric grow bags! I didn't realize that there are different ones that are better or poorer quality.

Mxk, I didn't find the cons of the bags to be the fact that the roots did not expand beyond the confines of the bag. One could just have a bigger bag? For me, the spin out bag seemed to wear out in a few years and allowed the tree roots to enter the bag usually though the seams.