??'s ANSWERED on Fabric Pots. Done with this thread!

GrnMtnGrowr

GrnMtnGrowr

Well-Known Member
I have never used fabric plant pots, but would like to get some and try them out. I just read in here that someone using them outdoors said the roots grow right through the bottom of the fabric pots....I want to use indoor and I typically use a 3 gallon plastic pot for finishing because I have limited hieght area. Do fabric pots grow more roots which would mean I would need a bigger 5 gallon fabric pot to do the same size plant without getting root bound? Or shouldf I stick to 3 gallon Fabric pots and they will act the same..?
I really don't want roots to start shooting out through the fabric, maybe someone knows if that happens indoors.
Thanks in advance!
 
Logan Burke

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
It's been half a decade since I've grown in soil, but when I did I never had roots go through the fabric...I would guess that your fabric pot is of knock-off quality if roots can grow through them. You use the same size fabric pot as you would use any other container, no difference. There is a difference in how long it takes the soil to dry out though, and more soil will take longer to dry out, so if you're not going to be around enough to water every 2 or 3 days, you may consider the 5 gallon one. Otherwise, they should behave the same as plastic pots. :)
 
macsnax

macsnax

Well-Known Member
GrnMtnGrowr said:
I have never used fabric plant pots, but would like to get some and try them out. I just read in here that someone using them outdoors said the roots grow right through the bottom of the fabric pots....I want to use indoor and I typically use a 3 gallon plastic pot for finishing because I have limited hieght area. Do fabric pots grow more roots which would mean I would need a bigger 5 gallon fabric pot to do the same size plant without getting root bound? Or shouldf I stick to 3 gallon Fabric pots and they will act the same..?
I really don't want roots to start shooting out through the fabric, maybe someone knows if that happens indoors.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Fabric pots are an animal of they're own. These pots are designed to "air prune" meaning just that. The roots go through the fabric and when they touch the air, they stop growing that way. IF they don't touch air they will go right through. Into the ground, or even transplanting into a bigger grow bag. You will shock the crap out of a plant if you try to take it out of the bag once roots are established. It's best to put slits down the side and drop into a bigger bag.
 
Obepawn

Obepawn

Well-Known Member
First off, your plant won’t get root bound in a fabric pot due to what’s called air pruning. Second, 3 gallon fabric pots is what I use and it’s perfect size. I typically water about every 4-days in late flower. I think there is a difference in growth in fabric pots due to the roots getting more oxygen and properly oxygenated roots leads to faster growth. You also have to water in a slower more deliberate manner due to run off going through the sides sometimes, so the lighter and more aerated the soil, the less side run off.

Yes you typically get better root development in fabric pots than in plastic ones.
 
GrnMtnGrowr

GrnMtnGrowr

Well-Known Member
Obepawn said:
Yes you typically get better root development in fabric pots than in plastic ones.
Click to expand...
So because of the air pruning I don't need to worry about the plant becoming root bound, that's great to hear. Obepawn, did you have a typical hieght that your plants were reaching with the 3 gallon fabric pots? I am limited to about 36" to 40" including the plant pot.
 
GrnMtnGrowr

GrnMtnGrowr

Well-Known Member
I just had a fellow grower from instagramtell me that he was switching back to PLastic pots because sometimes the fabric stays wet too long and starts a growth of mold....Can't have that, so maybe there is more trouble in using fabric pots than is gained..??
 
macsnax

macsnax

Well-Known Member
GrnMtnGrowr said:
I just had a fellow grower from instagramtell me that he was switching back to PLastic pots because sometimes the fabric stays wet too long and starts a growth of mold....Can't have that, so maybe there is more trouble in using fabric pots than is gained..??
Click to expand...
They do mold up easy. I actually won't use them indoors anymore because of it. Like the first thing I said was, grow bags are an animal of their own. Beneficial where needed, not always the best choice.
 
GrnMtnGrowr

GrnMtnGrowr

Well-Known Member
macsnax said:
They do mold up easy. I actually won't use them indoors anymore because of it. Like the first thing I said was, grow bags are an animal of their own. Beneficial where needed, not always the best choice.
Click to expand...
Yes, but you didn't mention the mold, but thank you...I will stick to plastic I guess.
 
Obepawn

Obepawn

Well-Known Member
GrnMtnGrowr said:
So because of the air pruning I don't need to worry about the plant becoming root bound, that's great to hear. Obepawn, did you have a typical hieght that your plants were reaching with the 3 gallon fabric pots? I am limited to about 36" to 40" including the plant pot.
Click to expand...
What Logan said. People have grown two foot tall plants in 16oz solo cups. If you’re limited in space you’ll need to top it, LST or both.
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
these are the best https://air-pot.com/garden/

the plastic design is easy to clean, keeps the base off of the ground without anything to support it, and out performed my fabric pots although I did have better results with fabric than buckets.

air pots are my go-to now, make sure the correct side is facing up, and that you install the base at the right level. when filling with soil , fill it a little at a time and then pack the soil outwards into the cones and you will have a great grow!

avoid fans pointed directly at these pots because they will dry ur plants out fast
 
Obepawn

Obepawn

Well-Known Member
macsnax said:
They do mold up easy. I actually won't use them indoors anymore because of it. Like the first thing I said was, grow bags are an animal of their own. Beneficial where needed, not always the best choice.
Click to expand...
You need better air circulation and watch RH. I’ve never had mold growing on my pots and that’s the kind of pots I use.
 
macsnax

macsnax

Well-Known Member
Obepawn said:
You need better air circulation and watch RH. I’ve never had mold growing on my pots and that’s the kind of pots I use.
Click to expand...
Ya that's not my problem. The air in my dwelling has too many mold spores floating around. I'm speaking from a coco standpoint too, 2 feeds a day in 1 gal, 1 a day in 3 gal. But too be completely honest, there's not that much gain from using bags. I just finished a run using both standard pots and bags. It was my last run with bags indoors. And then you have roots growing out like an umbrella, making it hard to water properly. Drip systems and blumats make that easier though. Just my point of view, but I'm only using them outdoors anymore.
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
If you plan on lifting and moving your plants frequently then fabric might not be a good idea. As it isnt a rigid container the medium might shift inside as you lift, messing up roots and shocking your plant. Avoid lifting from one side or uneven.
 
GrnMtnGrowr

GrnMtnGrowr

Well-Known Member
Logan Burke said:
I could never understand why those air pots are so expensive...a couple years ago I saw some on Ebay for like 50-100$ a peice!
Click to expand...
I agree, that aren't quite that much on Amazon, but I was just looking at a 5 gallon air-pot and it was $27.50 which I thought was still crazy $$. They are made from recycled materials.
 
Gemtree

Gemtree

Well-Known Member
I used vivosun ones off ebay that are pretty cheap. I'm back to plastic because I just do 2 gallon coco and they do get covered in salt every run. Easier to just wipe out the plastic pots
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top