Is it possible or has anyone ever took grow bags and planted the bags half way in the ground to get the benefits of unground plants and benefits of above ground potted plants I’m thinking of doing this so I don’t have to transplant 25 gallon bags in the ground I feel it will be easier on watering because I can get the most out of rain water this way my set up has no electricity and I’m only going to be around my girls about 1/2 the time for their flowering. Any advice or recommendations are accepted thanks in advance
Grow bags
- Thread starter Tbomb35
- Start date
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
I dont see why you couldnt do that. Somewhat eliminates the point of a "raised garden pot" but if she needs more soil, feed it to her however you have to. Next year make the last transplant into the pot you intend to finish in. Transplanting after 5 gallons gets very tricky.
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
Ive never seen super big healthy roots growing through the bottom of a fabric pot, i feel like the material is to tough, have you observed this? Some pots are made with much sturdier fabric than others too....
xtsho
Well-Known Member
Yes it's material dependent. The softer more felt like material is what I've experienced roots growing through the bottom. I had some tomatoes growing and at the end of the season when I went to move them they were stuck to the ground. I've had the same thing happen with plastic pots that have the holes on the bottom. If root can they will keep growing.
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
Thats what i figured. I usually stick to the type that roots dont grow through. No particular reason. Just worth noting that roots dont really grow through that kind.
codster25
Well-Known Member
Yeah I have some fabric ones that the roots right now are poking through. Paid 15 dollars a piece for them too at grow store. Said they were the original smart pots on label. Was surprised to see them grow through.
How many gallons are those pots?
codster25
Well-Known Member
Fabrics are 20 and the others are 10
Nice plants.
I have used same fabric pots in a swamp grow. The roots will grow through it if they get thristy. I am sure these girls are getting pampered , as they should, and have no need to seek out any moisture from below.
That said July 19, I dont think its going to effect the final product ( besides less watering).
I have used same fabric pots in a swamp grow. The roots will grow through it if they get thristy. I am sure these girls are getting pampered , as they should, and have no need to seek out any moisture from below.
That said July 19, I dont think its going to effect the final product ( besides less watering).
That’s exactly what I did
petert
Well-Known Member
I had 11’ plants in 150 gallon soil saver fabric pots on a greenhouse floor with industrial strength weed barrier. After harvest and cleaning up for winter I’d always find thick roots that had through the pot and into the weed barrier. It definitely happens!
Attachments
This is low lands that I’m growing in with a lot of clay/sand but I think next year I’m going to look into core gardening to help retain moisture but the soil in the 25 gallon pots are living soil with castings root fungus and I fed with compost tea for the veg period which contained castings fish emulsion and no sulfur added molasses ferments for 24-36 hours
Would it be possible to grow in the ground? Loosen and amend the soil. It sounds like you grow organically which is tough for a guerrilla . I use slow release ferts. To each his own though.
Im from the midwest the lowlands are always watershed areas for me. The farmers dont plant here because of flooding in spring. These areas have enough ground moisture all year to produce giant trees without ever once watering them. I grow right in the soil after loosing it up 12-16 inches down and 16" diameter hole. I use 20-20-20slow release ferts. The 4-6 months stuff. I put a little over 1/2 cup per hole. My soil is black gold but I have grown in sandy areas that get the same moisture content with out problems. I always try an amend the sandy holes with soil from the area. What ever I find near by.
Since you have a mix of clay and sand it should hold water well. You just need ferts or organic matter , depending on your methodology, to amend the holes.
I only use containers in swamp grows because I have very little concern of them being found. Of course its also impossible to plant straight in the ground. I actually have had more success with 5 gal buckets with many 1/2" holes drilled in the bottom. I fill the buckets with promix .
Because of the height of the 5 gal pail the water doesnt wick completely to the top of the container giving the roots a place to hang out while the ground water level is high (1/2-2"). In the heat of the summer the area drys out the roots find their way out through the holes and anchor the 5 gal pail to the ground. Its pretty cool how hard they hold on. Never had one blow over once they are anchored.
This same technique can be used with 5 gal smart pots but their reduced height and ability to wick water can lead to root rot in a wet year. The roots would also grow right through the bottom of the pot. You can imagine a 5' plant with a 2" diameter stem has a pretty good size tap root( all plants grown from seeds).
Core gardening? I looked it up and maybe I was mistaken on what moisture levels you have. Does your lowlands area contain water?
Im from the midwest the lowlands are always watershed areas for me. The farmers dont plant here because of flooding in spring. These areas have enough ground moisture all year to produce giant trees without ever once watering them. I grow right in the soil after loosing it up 12-16 inches down and 16" diameter hole. I use 20-20-20slow release ferts. The 4-6 months stuff. I put a little over 1/2 cup per hole. My soil is black gold but I have grown in sandy areas that get the same moisture content with out problems. I always try an amend the sandy holes with soil from the area. What ever I find near by.
Since you have a mix of clay and sand it should hold water well. You just need ferts or organic matter , depending on your methodology, to amend the holes.
I only use containers in swamp grows because I have very little concern of them being found. Of course its also impossible to plant straight in the ground. I actually have had more success with 5 gal buckets with many 1/2" holes drilled in the bottom. I fill the buckets with promix .
Because of the height of the 5 gal pail the water doesnt wick completely to the top of the container giving the roots a place to hang out while the ground water level is high (1/2-2"). In the heat of the summer the area drys out the roots find their way out through the holes and anchor the 5 gal pail to the ground. Its pretty cool how hard they hold on. Never had one blow over once they are anchored.
This same technique can be used with 5 gal smart pots but their reduced height and ability to wick water can lead to root rot in a wet year. The roots would also grow right through the bottom of the pot. You can imagine a 5' plant with a 2" diameter stem has a pretty good size tap root( all plants grown from seeds).
Core gardening? I looked it up and maybe I was mistaken on what moisture levels you have. Does your lowlands area contain water?
Yea I just checked on the girls last week after being out there for two weeks the ground seems to retain enough water to keep the plants watered I also hooked up a drip system with a 55 gallon drum that releases 1 gallon per plant every other day because the summer months I feel are going to be dryer they might need the extra water but I feel I don’t need to do core gardening because it’s low lands I was just nervous about eater supply to the plants I think a gallon every other day won’t be too much or too little I also use gia slow release organic nutrients and I tip dressed them right when I put them out two weeks ago I did notice some larva damage on some of the plants so I had to use azra I think it’s called as a foilar spray hopefully it puts a stop to them but I won’t know until I go back up there.