Going to try smart pots

[edlkll]

From what I have been reading it looks like smart pots
are the way to go. I have always grown right in the soil
and I have noticed a lot of roots growing from other plants
and bushes back into my spots where I grow. This year I am
going to give the smart pots a try. Any ones thoughts on
what smart pots are the best to use? Or is one brand just as
good as the other.

 

[supermanlives]

before smart pots we had raised circeles of wire with landscaping fabric. in the og days I had 15 huge ones. the idea is sound an works well. chicken wire, fencing and any thing similar with fabric achieves the same results. its not a new idea at all

 

[Zen Medz]

Ed, What size plants are you looking to grow, are you putting clones out in mid June or starting from seeds and putting out in May? Most folks around Sacramento use 15-200 gallon pots. I prefer 30-65's because I'm in the suburbs and can't get away with growing 10 foot monsters! More info. needed but I would say fabric pots are a good idea for outdoors. If you're planning on using the pots more than once I'd stay away from thin fabric pots like the Aerobag, I've had a couple tear on me. Smart Pot brand or similar thick fabric pots will last longer and insulate roots better.

 

[IGROWMYOWN]

Try geopots quality is way better than smart pots

 

[surfguitar]

Try geopots quality is way better than smart pots

And cheaper generally

 

[Cannasseur]

The Geothermal heating (from being planted in the ground) does a great job moderating a lot of the variables in outdoor growing. Smart pots are great and all, but they can be a double edged sword in an area where you experience any huge fluctuation in temperature/weather.

 

[theJointedOne]

a 200 gallon triple planted works good, same with a 300 gallon

 

[GseeG]

i wouldn't use any fabric pots if it wasn't for the gophers and moles. they aren't going anywhere though and a large fabric pot will certainly get the job done.

 

[Zen Medz]

For any newbies out there who want to run plants in fabric pots, make sure you put some mulch (hay, wood chips, etc.) over the top of the soil, this'll reduce your watering and provide a little more insulation from the sun/heat. I have a feeling water prices may be going up in a few places out west here. Best of luck to everybody and let's hope we get some damn rain before summer time.

 

[Cannasseur]

Don't overlook the microbial connection that occurs in ground also. Native antagonistic microbe are a key player in making these big healthy robust giants we all seek.

Consider lining your beds with chicken wire, I knew a few growers on the left coast that combatted their gopher issues with this tactic. Never heard complaints after the installation.

I really hate to convince anyone to spend $10USD on a container when god gave you a better one for free. Happy growing regardles. If you do take the fabric container route, make sure to purchase ones that aren't black.

 

[Sunfire]

Don't overlook the microbial connection that occurs in ground also. Native antagonistic microbe are a key player in making these big healthy robust giants we all seek.

I really hate to convince anyone to spend $10USD on a container when god gave you a better one for free.

Well you should be well inoculating your soil, A

And B, it all depends where your growing. I live in gnarly clay. I've done lots of experiments. Just planting a raised bed ontop of this clay and you get root rot. I have smart pots with drain rock under them. I know some people who plant straight into the ground and do great. I've tried it here and have failed multiple times. It all depends on the type of native soil and natural drainage.

Smartpot name brand fabric is the best andto strongest! Geopots are good too but you can't get huge or tan ones. I have 800 gallon TAN smart pots. If you already have black ones just clip up a white breathable sheet around the outside. You will water more with smart pots but to avoid drowning the root ball use a slow drip/ sprinkler emitter or soaker hose (I like the flay soaker hoses they are 12 times less volume to roll up and store and handle high pressures better).

I use rice straw as mulch cause its cheap and the hollow husks are great insulaters. Just don't use too much! The soil needs to breathe. A very fine even layer is best. I take my time fluffing and laying down the straw. Halfway through the year you may have to patch it here and there. As the plants get bigger I use three concentric cages. Before I put a new cage on I remove the straw inside the previous sized smaller cage as the plant is now big enough the keep that area of soil in complete shade. If you water with a hose and the soil mixes with mulch DON'T add more, just water more gently and put a splitter or multiple splitters on the end of your hose to reduce the pressure and not the volume of water coming out. This will help you splash around less soil and straw.

Hope this helps, only my experience. I have learned in growing that there is no "one way" different ppl use different techniques in different places. Experiment and find out what works best for you.