Clear Pots... will there be problems?

Question for those that have done this before…


Planting plants in clear ‘pots’ or clear containers, like a Snapple 64oz bottle…

I’ve heard that you will have issues with clear pots. Is that the truth, or is it urban pot container seller speak… I had a few extra clones [no pots], and decided to give the clear Snapple Bottle a try, roots are kind of fun to watch growing to the outside…

If there is a problem [other than it being a small container], what would it be?

I’ve heard "You'll have problems, don’t try it“…They say…

So, what will the problems be?

No clear containers, period. Roots don't like light. 'Nuf said about that. And as the old saying goes, "The bigger the pot, the bigger the pot."

I had a plant in veg one time and the lid wasn't clear but let light thru. After about 2.5 weeks it started looking funky (the plant) and I couldn't figure it out, but then it dawned on me; light leakage.
I looked at the roots and they had grown algae on em and most were drying up and dying off from it. I caught it in time and reversed it. This was with a simple, small cfl so could you imagine if I were using my 400 watt MH? I covered that container (a 4 gallon tote) with reflectix and that was that...

roots do not like being exposed to light can wrap paper around or paint container

And I saw this quote somewhere…

to better explain, Lights to the roots don’t really do anything, the problem on having a clear pot is that the light and the moisture will create mold inside the container with time and mold in your roots is the problem that you don’t want, i actually tested this out one one of my 2liter soda bottles and after 4 weeks it had green mold growing inside the pot, while the ones that i covered with metallic tape have none. hope this clears up a bit..

Click to expand...

This is the only explanation I could find that made sense… does this sound right?

I hear what you guys are saying… it is just, that well, everyone says the same thing… There are better pots to grow your plants in, I know…black better than clear, except, the roots I see look pretty healthy through the clearness of the plastic…

I mean, you are saying the roots will not like the light, I have read this, on a few sites…

I guess to be sure, I should cover in duct tape or something…

I seem to remember a grower on YouTube that grew a perpetual grow in Pepsi bottles with no issue…

Thanks for input…

roots turn green when they get light. Clear is a very bad idea for many reasons. It's simple Roots don't get light in nature. pots or buckets at the dollar store cost a dollar.

algea grows from light in water not mold to be precise had big problems when i kept fish tanks especially lighted tanks

I agree that it doesn't happen in nature so it should be avoided. Although I used to grow 5 ft plants in 1 gal milk jugs for years and never saw a mold or algae problem. I was happy as a clam getting 1-2 Z's per plant but those days are way behind me. I say try a couple in your clear jugs and see for yourself.

Like everyone says there are better much options out there but I have used plastic milk jugs and opaque storage bins. If you must use a light leaking container just spray paint the exterior black

So, what will the problems be?

grow algae water and light = algae
a green slimy looking growth not good for roots
aquariums pools rooting on windowsill ponds lakes
no moving water only stagnent

Ive got a 2l bottle that I did not tape over as I had run out, but ive decided to see what happens. Its about a month into flowering, and the plant itself looks perfectly normal, just the bottle is green on all the sides, cant see it being great for the plant, but also dont see them doing huge amounts of damage? I guess i'll find out