Improving Aeration in Potted Plants

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

There is a poster on GardenWeb named tapla who has some very interesting ideas on potted plants and soil composition.

He touches on the idea that even if you have porous soil, potting mixes still hold a reservoir of water in the bottom of the pot from water tension pressures and fibrous roots wont develop there, in effect reducing the soil capacity in your pots.

Next time you water, wait a bit and tip the container 45 degrees and water will pour out still. It is because you are lowering the lowest point in the pot.

To fix this problem, he suggests adding a piece of wickable rope out of the bottom of the pot which lowers the water retention point and helps you get the full capacity of your pot and avoid overwatering.

Any thoughts on this ?

whodi · Aug 4, 2008

Just get some 'smart pots'

The Smart Pot is an aeration container. It has a unique ability to air-prune and enhance a plant’s root structure. A highly branched, fibrous root structure is the key to growing a better plant – with more flowers and fruits, and more resistance to insects and diseases.

http://www.smartpots.com/

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

^^^Please delete this post as it has nothing to do with the subject at hand.

limey · Aug 4, 2008

A wick can be good for helping to even out the distribution of moisture in the pots and alot of old-school passive watering systems are based on this idea. There is a small risk that if you dont pick the right material for the wick, it could promote the growth of unhelpful microorganisms/fungi in the soil. Very small risk though, I'd have thought.

The alternative - an easy way of avoiding overwatering at least - is to fill the bottom couple of inches of the pot with gravel or hydroton granules (for both, wash them well first) and make sure there are a good few, adequate drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. You water the plants til you get water running out of the bottom and stop there. Watering every other day is usually enough unless the pots are sitting in hot sun, when once a day may be required.

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

Adding gravel or hydroton does not increase drainage, it further reduces your available soil mass. It is a widely used misconception.

whodi · Aug 4, 2008

Johnny Rotten said:
^^^Please delete this post as it has nothing to do with the subject at hand.

No, because it does have something to do with your subject... "Improving Aeration in Potted Plants"

Goat · Aug 4, 2008

I don't think I understand...

If you have a good porous soil and good drainage holes in your pot this shouldn't be an issue. That water in the bottom should still have usable oxygen unless its been stagnant for awhile or contained little O2 to begin with. But thats what drainage holes are for.

Is he implying that the the wick material absorbs the excess water rather than leaving it stay in the soil? Interesting idea though.

- Goat!

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

whodi said:
No, because it does have something to do with your subject... "Improving Aeration in Potted Plants"

Listen Whodi, this is my thread so you should show a little respect and not muck it up with advertisements. There are literally billions of plastic pots out there in millions of homes. I would never suggest for someone to go out and buy more useless crap that they don't need, only for it to end up in the garbage. I've seen those pots....flimsy, overpriced CRAP. Novel idea, kinda like upside down plants....

This is about maximizing SOIL GROWS IN POTS. PLASTIC POTS. THE KIND THAT ARE EVERYWHERE.

If i wanted to talk about "Smart Pots" I'd of made a thread about it. Why don't you try it and get that shit out of my thread.

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

Here, lets do an experiment. Do you have a kitchen sponge? Dip it in water and hold it horizontal. Wait until it stops dripping and is holding as much water a possible. Now turn that bitch vertical and see how much water pours out of it.

This water sits stagnant at the bottom 1/5 of your pot and drowns roots as well a causes people growing in soil to overwater. What happens when you add a wick is the water thinks your pot is now twice as deep and it goes to the bottom 1/5 of the rope, while sucking in air from the top of the pot, maximizing your soil's capacity for perfect growing conditions- Air/ water ratio, volume.

whodi · Aug 4, 2008

Johnny Rotten said:
Listen Whodi, this is my thread so you should show a little respect and not muck it up with advertisements. There are literally billions of plastic pots out there in millions of homes. I would never suggest for someone to go out and buy more useless crap that they don't need, only for it to end up in the garbage. I've seen those pots....flimsy, overpriced CRAP. Novel idea, kinda like upside down plants....

This is about maximizing SOIL GROWS IN POTS. PLASTIC POTS. THE KIND THAT ARE EVERYWHERE.

If i wanted to talk about "Smart Pots" I'd of made a thread about it. Why don't you try it and get that shit out of my thread.

ahaha someone is angry...

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

So, Whodi. What grows have you done with the "smart Pots" and where are your pictures? Show us.

And no, I'm not mad. I'm quite the nice guy. But i have no time for children with nothing to add about the subject at hand.

Skrappie · Aug 4, 2008

I have an honest question, If roots will not venture to the bottom of the pot, why do I always have roots creeping out of the bottom of the pot, outside, and winding around the holes at the bottom. I understand the concept, but not really the logic.

When do roots not grow through the bottom of the pots except under poor watering practices?

Please educate, as I really am a notice grower.

ive added a poor image to hopefully explain what i mean

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

Plants can grow different types of roots for different applications. They will grow a thicker, darker root, usually called a "water root" (don't know the correct terminology) when in a high moisture environments. They also grow a delicate, white, hairy root called a "feeder root" in ideal environments. They both have the ability to uptake food and water but one does it a whole lot better and also has many places for beneficial fungi. So, they are growing roots down there but not ideal roots. (PLEASE CORRECT ME OR GIVE ME PROPER TERMS)

This is mostly for peat or compost mixes. Coco seems to hold the perfect amount of air and water no matter what.

Also, this may not even apply to alot of people; outdoor growers or guys that have it down already and have vigourous plants.

It could be useful for a plant that doesn't like wet feet or is a slow drinker. Also, it could help a newer grower who has a tendency to overwater, a huge problem for most beginners.

devilgoob · Aug 4, 2008

use coco.

Johnny Rotten · Aug 4, 2008

I'd like to see you pull off a guerrilla grow in the south or any grow outside with coco.

You have to water twice or more a day.

Not to mention it isn't readily available everywhere, like regular potting mixes.

Also, coco is anti-fungal.

Coco isn't the savior of the soil world although it is damn good.

Maj.PotHead · Aug 4, 2008

lotsa of 1/2 inch holes in all sides and bottom of container evenly spaced, promotes for soil to dry more evenly allows for more fluid air exchange in soil.

raise bottom of container off ground 1/2inch and your compleate

heres a plant from 1 gal grow bag i cut extra slits in sides just before going into the 3gal holy container

same plant Grape Krush

same plant into 5 gal bag grape krush

same same 2wks into flower lol

was this more what your lookn for the 5 gal bag also had many extra slits in sides for better exchange of air through root zone

this was FFOF soil 40-50% perlite added and all them extra drainage and air exchange holes and or slits and plants container 1/2 inch off ground

veggn was under cfls upto the 5gal bag then 400w hps in flower

if this is off subject srry i missunderstood the thread

Haps · Aug 4, 2008

Your main premise is off somehow. It is natural for the soil to be more moist as you go deeper so moisture in the bottom of the container is a good thing, not a problem. Your roots will draw oxygen from it. You do not lose growing space in your pot. I am not saying this could not be effective somehow, but I would have to see a clone side by side grow to believe it.

Adding oxygen to your water will increase plant health and growth, and is the easiest crop bump I ever saw in soil. When I started bubbling my water before feeding, the results were visible, and the whole crop was better.

Also, rock in the bottom does indeed increase drainage, period.
H

inflorescence · Aug 4, 2008

Let the feeder roots at the top feed and the water roots (tap roots) at the bottom suck in water during times of water stress.

Pretty neat how nature came up with that, huh? Why muck with it?

B.C. · Aug 4, 2008

Yep

Yep

I agree with Inflorescence, that's jus the way they are.(?).... I purdy much grow the way Maj Pothead does, useing this method it's about impossible ta overwater. You can tip the pot all you like alil while after watering, no water will come out, it goes evenly throughout the pot and stays put. Also, useing this method, it will dry out way to quick for water ta get stagnant. That's why I've been suggesting it for years to new growers. Imo there's no better way ta grow in soil. Air is the key! cept fer smart/air pots LOL! J/K! Take care... BC

B.C. · Aug 4, 2008

BTW where's Clackamas Coot

BTW where's Clackamas Coot

That can't be FFOF!!!! that plant looks -way- too good fer FFOF. Are you sure that's FFOF? I've heard FFOF was shitty? Whada ya think Johnny?!?! That delivery of FFOF must have got there in good shape. I spose he could have jus got lucky this time huh? LOL! Jus poken alil fun at cha man! BC

Improving Aeration in Potted Plants

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