Fabric pots vs. plastic. First impressions.

[Bacala]

First year trying fabric and just moved from 1 to 3 gallons to beef up a bit before going into the big pots. Just a quick note to say that these things absolutely work as advertised, and anyone considering using them should not hesitate.

I have no circling or crowding of the roots at all, and they have been in the smaller pots long enough that I know in plastic I'd have some serious pruning and teasing to do, but with these, it's just a matter of setting them into the new size and filling in the soil. Mine happen to be Root Pouch brand, but I'm sure others would be good too. It is so hot where I live that I have to bury my big plastic pots in the ground for protection from the heat, but I've got one test plant going that I'll leave out in a 15gal fabric to see how it goes. Would love to be able to use these rather than dig big holes every year!

 

[Phatlewtz]

First year trying fabric and just moved from 1 to 3 gallons to beef up a bit before going into the big pots. Just a quick note to say that these things absolutely work as advertised, and anyone considering using them should not hesitate.

I have no circling or crowding of the roots at all, and they have been in the smaller pots long enough that I know in plastic I'd have some serious pruning and teasing to do, but with these, it's just a matter of setting them into the new size and filling in the soil. Mine happen to be Root Pouch brand, but I'm sure others would be good too. It is so hot where I live that I have to bury my big plastic pots in the ground for protection from the heat, but I've got one test plant going that I'll leave out in a 15gal fabric to see how it goes. Would love to be able to use these rather than dig big holes every year!

I've used fabric pots before smartpots were around, as my final/flower pot....plastic growbags till then...only issue I've ever had is having them set next to each other and the roots going into the next pot....lots of benefits to burying the pot in the ground, I'm sure there are detractors as well, I live in a "GROW HEMP AND DIE" state and I need all the stealth I can get

 

[nevergoodenuf]

3 gallons in coco. This says it all.

 

[GroErr]

First year trying fabric and just moved from 1 to 3 gallons to beef up a bit before going into the big pots. Just a quick note to say that these things absolutely work as advertised, and anyone considering using them should not hesitate.

I have no circling or crowding of the roots at all, and they have been in the smaller pots long enough that I know in plastic I'd have some serious pruning and teasing to do, but with these, it's just a matter of setting them into the new size and filling in the soil. Mine happen to be Root Pouch brand, but I'm sure others would be good too. It is so hot where I live that I have to bury my big plastic pots in the ground for protection from the heat, but I've got one test plant going that I'll leave out in a 15gal fabric to see how it goes. Would love to be able to use these rather than dig big holes every year!

Been using them for 3+ years and I'd never go back to plastic, if something else interesting comes along I'd try it but these fabric pots rock it. I've used a bunch of different brands, same results. The air pruning works and builds a solid root mass, plus you can grow much large plants per gallon of medium.

BTW: They work great outdoor, been growing them in 10gal last couple of seasons and this year I'm doing 15gal. Great for stealth and flexibility to move them around, I moved into a sub-division and it's illegal still so I went this route. Only downside is they dry out much faster than growing in the ground but I'm willing to give that up for all the other benefits they provide.

Here's my 2x 10gal plants from last season just before the chop.

 

[SoOLED]

fabric pots in a tent, raise humidity for me. not that its awful bad or anything but you can tell after a water for sure its muggie AF.

also a 5 gallon fabric pots really holds like 7 gallons of soil, and such bigger pots hold more.

in smaller grows I think I would use fabric, but at cost and ease of cleaning I pick plastic. also I like the plastic shorts then talls.

I use plastic pots for all kinds of things: raise plants up, wash clay pebbles. also if you compost, fill you plastic pot with whatever, and turn it upside down on top your pile, it heats up with the composting medium inside, and remove it after a few days.

i like both, i use whatever is ready at the time.

 

[AnimalMother1974]

Anyone know if those cheap Chinese fabric pots they sell on ebay are good?

 

[SoOLED]

don't forget, if your transplanting from smaller fabric pots you have to tear the roots out of the pot walls. stress

 

[tyke1973]

Both work but plastic is bad for the enviroment,plus i think plastic pots make the roots sweat,i go with fabric any day,the roots can breath far easyier

 

[kiwipaulie]

Quick all the pots and go hydro. After being a organic soil grower for along time I decided to give this hydro shit ago and built my own rdwc system. Easy as fuck. I cannot believe I didn't do this 20 years ago!!! Fuck me the growth has blown any soil, coco mixes, hempys, everything but true hydro I've done before.

 

[tyke1973]

Near all hydroponic systems are easy to build i have about 3 airoponic cloners some where in loft space

 

[bryan oconner]

I use both . the difference is the price . I can get a 5 gallon plastic pot for about 35c and a 5 gallon fabric pot is 3 bucks here . so the difference is ? the fabric . you can use the fabric again if you take the time to clean it out . the roots grow just the same inside they are both stuffed full of roots . I am switching over to plastic just use one and throw out no mess. not for the 20 gallon posts I use fabric only about 6 bucks here. because when I have to move it wont tear open . other then that all the same my opinion .

 

[Dr. Who]

Time for the fly in the ointment...

I tested these things back before they were released by a "maker" for my opinion.

I don't like them! - He didn't like my opinion - nor use any of my critique in his adds

It concentrates the root mass in the center and leaves a low mass zone near the edge. The result is water/feed pours in and then out these sides and the main root ball doesn't get the moisture evenly (This is called the umbrella effect). Now you have to either water more or let the pot "sit" in the run through and suck it back up - one raises costs and the latter is not a good idea if using synthetic nutrition...

I think there is some misconception (lack of knowledge) on plastic pots and root balls. If the roots start spiraling around the bottom of the pot..........YOU UP POT!

But, please - do what makes you happy!

 

[Bacala]

It concentrates the root mass in the center and leaves a low mass zone near the edge. The result is water/feed pours in and then out these sides and the main root ball doesn't get the moisture evenly

I did notice this and wonder about the effect, long-term. Doesn't seem to be much of a problem with short grows in small pots before going to final container, but I could see issues during the long outdoor season. If I'm not happy with the test grow I can always stick with buried plastic pots to finish. I'm sure that would save a lot of water, too.

I think there is some misconception (lack of knowledge) on plastic pots and root balls. If the roots start spiraling around the bottom of the pot..........YOU UP POT!

For me, it's more a lack of time combined with my crappy memory. I'll know I've got a re-pot coming up, then sometimes I'll get buried at work or something, then forget about it for a while and I've got crowded roots. Good thing these plants are so tough.

But, please - do what makes you happy!

Always a good one to remember! If I couldn't make this fun and satisfying I'd just go to dispensaries.

 

[Bacala]

Quick all the pots and go hydro. After being a organic soil grower for along time I decided to give this hydro shit ago and built my own rdwc system. Easy as fuck. I cannot believe I didn't do this 20 years ago!!! Fuck me the growth has blown any soil, coco mixes, hempys, everything but true hydro I've done before.

Near all hydroponic systems are easy to build i have about 3 airoponic cloners some where in loft space

I cant believe how easy it is either the growth in my rdwc is so much faster its crazy the veg growth daily is like wow look how much that fucker grew! Everyday it shocks me couple DWC with a vero 29 light ready to go

Um.... OK.

 

[Gator44]

Quick all the pots and go hydro. After being a organic soil grower for along time I decided to give this hydro shit ago and built my own rdwc system. Easy as fuck. I cannot believe I didn't do this 20 years ago!!! Fuck me the growth has blown any soil, coco mixes, hempys, everything but true hydro I've done before.

I cant believe how easy it is either the growth in my rdwc is so much faster its crazy the veg growth daily is like wow look how much that fucker grew! Everyday it shocks me couple DWC with a vero 29 light ready to go