Smart Pots

[jrw]

Oh yeah! Looks awsome Cali smoke.

Seems it takes the tips some time to realize they're midair lol

What soilmix are you using?

 

[Cali smoke]

hey jrw, I'm using botanicare cocogro.

 

[shiggs]

Can we get an airpot progress report?

 

[HighonPottery]

yeah, what ever happened with the "smart pots concept"? it seemed like a legit idea from the earlier posts in this thread.

I've been wondering what the comparison of regular pot vs. pot with some holes drilled in it (maybe 1 hole per sq inch) vs. smart pots vs. fabric/mesh pot.

Maybe there needs to be a forum sticky of container related topics?

Suby, whatever happened with that drilled out pot with the window screen in it? that seemed like a cool diy way to go.

 

[clowntown]

I'm so cheap that I took a 2 gallon Bato bucket and punched a LOT of holes in them using a 35k RPM Dremel and a high-speed bit. This combination allowed me to quickly punch holes into the relatively thick plastic just as easy as poking a stick of butter with a stick. (I've never really poked & re-poked a stick of butter with a stick, but I imagine it wouldn't have much resistance... )

I'll let you guys know how it turns out in about... 2-3 months. 1 Bato bucket with lots and lots of 1/8" holes, and one with a fewer but in a combination of 1/8" and I think 3/8". Also have an 8" CocoTek woven mesh pot in there, but not a good comparison since it's a different strain, different amount of veg time, etc.

If air pruning is all it's cracked up to be and produces real results above-ground, I'm really going to be kicking myself for not picking up some of these Smart Pots at the Indoor Garden Expo at a pretty steep discount. I like the durable looking stitches along with the fact that they're washable. At the show I think I got the sticker-shock based on the fact that the material doesn't cost much (was too numbed by the sticker-shock to consider the labor involved in DIY'ing.)

 

[Suby]

yeah, what ever happened with the "smart pots concept"? it seemed like a legit idea from the earlier posts in this thread.

I've been wondering what the comparison of regular pot vs. pot with some holes drilled in it (maybe 1 hole per sq inch) vs. smart pots vs. fabric/mesh pot.

Maybe there needs to be a forum sticky of container related topics?

Suby, whatever happened with that drilled out pot with the window screen in it? that seemed like a cool diy way to go.

My grow has been a comedy of antics and errors much to my profound dismay.
I shut down my basment grow to ensure my daughter's safety and my new location has been a major problem as well as having time to make my new cabinets...to add to that I sprouted a bunch of seeds and they where rooting great in 1 gal pots until I noticed they where all male...



It will take a few wekks, it would be sooner if I had no herb but I've set a few growers up this season and they pay me in stash

It's great to see peeps taking this idea seriously, it has as much merit as perlite at 30% and multiple transplants before flowering.

 

[blackblunt69]

I got my Air Pots yesturday so I will post pics 2mos once i transplant my plants in there...... this guy on ebay is selling some http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=190241992217

 

[Stone]

I came to this thread dead set on aquiring & using airpots, & now it looks as though I'm favoring the smart pots.

Price is definetly a factor, as from my quotes they seem to be anywhere from 4-10x's as much as the smart pots (of course my sp quote is for bulk).

I still don't like the fact that the SP's are cloth & less flexible.
Just how unsturdy are these things, you guys who are using them?

I move my plants around quite a bit, & I'm wondering how much of a problem that would be...

I'm also wondering how 'DED' on DEDHEDFRED'S critisicm of the airpots is, concerning the roots having to 'compete' for holes where air pruning occurs. The idea makes sense in theory, as there are a limited number of holes & they aren't all that large.

I'm wondering if they would ever get clogged to the point that the pot would begin to act as a 'normal' pot?

I also just love the way the airpots look like some space age growing capsule. Beam me up, Scotty!lol

 

[Kenny Lingus]

coco-tek pots from ghe will maybe serve the same purpose?!?

 

[MPL]

I was able to take a look at an smart pot at my local hydro shop. It was a 2 gallon size and actually seemed quite sturdy. I don't think it would be a problem at all to wash them out if they became clogged.

I think smart pot + coco combined with a dunking/submersion type watering method would be an amazing combination. Watering like that would allow the coco to be "flushed" every watering so full strength nutes could be used every time.

 

[shiggs]

I posted on the other forum a pretty neat, ultra-cheap DIY.

aka net pots?

Im working on pots using yogurt tubs, a step drill bit, and a bit of screen mesh.

It's a pretty obvious solution once you look at it.

 

[shiggs]

I've got an idea of what your idea is. I just don't know the "other" forum.

 

[budvapor]

yeah wtf is the 'other' forum?

 

[Suby]

Canna Cabana is the other forum he's talking about.
It's a cool site, I have an account there but this is my home.

Let's stay on topic all forums have trolls and kids it's par for the course, stay clear of chat and tokers den and you'll have a more educational and troll free stay here at IC.

Suby

 

[clowntown]

Here's my idea

...I got myself a roll of "weed stopper" garden mats from Home Depot, cut 'em to size, and sewed it using a bought-and-returned (I'm poor!) sewing machine and voila. There's a variety of material available, including a roll of (very tough) burlap... But the kind that I got was a Tyvek-like material that's much more breathable and flexible than your standard FedEx/USPS Priority envelope. There's some stretchy-rubbery stuff there, too, and I don't like that one at all. There's also some other woven fiber material that looked really durable but I went with the Tyvek-like 'cuz of the smaller size rolls available at this particular HD.

For those of you unfamiliar with sewing (including myself), the trick is to cut out the pattern, sew the seams, and flip inside-out. Sounds obvious, but you know...

Found better material there, roughly same section.

Sun shade - multi-ply woven / knit poly looks to allow tons of air through while having decent light blocking capabilities. I think it's roughly 2-3x as expensive as the previously mentioned rolls.

Or sack-grade burlap sheets, 80" x 80" for under $4 per sheet. Doesn't make for ultra- cheap, but works out if you already have a sewing machine.

 

[simba]

I still don't like the fact that the SP's are cloth & less flexible.
Just how unsturdy are these things, you guys who are using them?

I move my plants around quite a bit, & I'm wondering how much of a problem that would be...

I'm wondering if they would ever get clogged to the point that the pot would begin to act as a 'normal' pot?

I also just love the way the airpots look like some space age growing capsule. Beam me up, Scotty!lol

Heya Gotta Chime in on the smart pots (Gotta Luvem, Whtvr media soil, coco, etc, mix with higromite and its on)

there not really for moving around.(im not sure how the tree ones are). (unless you put them in another bucket (with major airgap on sides) or something to keep the base sturdy..(the Media will twist and posibly break roots)

as far as clogged nopes even if the media gets compacted to the sides. the roots will still be able to pass threw that and then the cloth and get pruned.. (unless you outright use lbs of fine fine media or silica powders IE rare earth etc.)

i like the way airpots look but there over priced.. (there making qty on a machine that just rolls it out.. vs smart pots someone is actually in the back of the office cutting material and Sewing these things (not to big or to small of outfit either. (nice sleeper company)

I would love if Atami would recommend these for use with there Bounce in combo with higromite (nothing better IMPHO Container wise)
I do though recommend 18" plant holders from HD in these though just for added Hmmph
(i recommend Higromite for Pure hydro & mix of higromite and coco or soil for soil or soiless)

If you cant or dont want to buy smart pots.. heres how to make your own..
at home depot they have (dam i forget ill go in the morn and look)
its black Felt Material apox the same thickness as the 3gal units. its pricey like 15 bucks for 1'x15' ill double check)
and get a 3-1/2 gal bucket from HD or lowes i forget wich has the good one ill look. and get a 2.5 inch hole saw..drill out like the other pic (his holes where to big) and then cut the material to bottom size lil extra..
then cut a strip the height of bucket bit more. lay that in there and overlap the bottom but on the inside of the bottoms extra.. so the pressure holds the fabric together at the bottom and wont allow media to come out.. (other way will spill media)
(cheaper to buy smart pot and easier i started that route but actually before the black material i used Premium weed stop from Dupont $20.00 for 50' Its tyvec house wrap with holes.. But my roots didnt like that stuff IMPHO. so then it was black stuff then smart pots.. now HAPPY Dance. )

I think smart pot + coco combined with a dunking/submersion type watering method would be an amazing combination. Watering like that would allow the coco to be "flushed" every watering so full strength nutes could be used every time.

If your going to submerge these like EF i would say you would have to get the bigger size and sew the top to the middle (around plant base). as much as you can.. (like a tree root ball is wrapped) IE The bigger size needed

 

[jdubz206]

a buddy just hooked me up with a couple of rootmakers and roottrappers. they're supposed to be the same thing as the smart pots and the other airpruning containers @ superoots.com. the containers that are supposed to be like the superoots ones are really poor quality. i'm not impressed. the roottrapper on the other hand is exactly like a smart pot except white. really nice stitching, looks quality...

 

[Mr Celsius]

So... are these things great or not?

I read the whole thing... kinda went back and forth.

 

[clowntown]

Unsure/undecided; I'll know after havest. Right now it doesn't seem to be all that special, at least in coco w/ myco. mix. Have a feeling it would make a much bigger impact in soil. So far...

 

[simba]

Mr C. i prefer the Smart pot..
1. it allows complete aeration from top to bottom..(iE fabric is porous threw out)
2. It allows roots to pass threw to the air anywhere on the container.
3. its cheaper than air pots..
4. Made in USA.. by hand.. (obv sewing machines though)
5. (if we can get them to these can be made out of hemp plastic)

Clowntown.. i hate to say this..
but that diy airpot of yours.
a great drainage idea but for the Air Pruning not so great..

on the airpot site there is a video showing how there holes work.. (those cones are needed..
those cones guide the root to the hole.. and there are holes even on the inner section of the nipples..

in your case the roots are still spiraling to find a clearing (IE the root thinks it hit a big rock so its spiraling to go around.. but it will stop before it finds most the holes drilled. thus not providing full air pruning..and then that root wont proliferate Lack of better word..

i started the DIY route then air then smart pots and im not switching away.. unless i find something better..