Root Pruning for Better Organic Results

[guest2012y]

Heh, it was 'Chill Jill' actually Stoned Crow. CJ is a select F2 cut of Jack Herer X White Wizard, which is Greengene's remix of W.Widow. Chill Jill has a very pronounced amnesia effect, works especially strongly on the speech center of the brain so folks forget what they're talking about.

That's sick Mr. G!
Sounds like some serious medicine.....does it shut people up or keep their jaw flappin' saying shit they forget every 60 seconds?
This could be a a tool more than a medication...sorry off topic.

 

[NUG-JUG]

I guess I should have mentioned I've experimented with both. The Smart pots definitely took more damage than the air pots. I'm kind to my plants but I don't baby them.
Cool little deal as far as root development goes,but It just isn't really working for larger "chamber" gardening where shuffling 5 to 10 gallon pots around in a concentrated area every couple days for watering and plant maintenance is a factor.

Is it true that you can hear roots tearing when you move the smart 'pots' (bags)? The maintenance thing kinda kills it for me..I mean I like to lift a plant up to spray neem, and if I'm doing that every few days to get rid of a mite problem, then those bags would be a no-go...

 

[guest2012y]

Well a guy could be gentle..but I'm not. I know another guy who has used the big smart pots indoors with bigger plants and that only lasted half a grow before he transplanted back into plastic pots. Some of these mixes we use are heavy. I don't know how well the small ones do.
It'd be great if most people had the room and wattage to have neat little rows of big ass plants in big ass smart or airpots that never had to be moved to water or work on.
I say legalize it so we can do what we want as far as using the best products available without the constrictions of space and security as a concern while growing.

 

[Herodias]

Great thread! I need to mix up the soil for my next grow and have been trying to figure out if I should use the 5G buckets I already have or if I should buy some 3G airpots. The smart pots look cool too.

I just ordered a couple of burlap sacks which I'm going to try to rig up as grow bags. I think it should give me the benefits of an airpot but it will be biodegradable. My main concern is that the bottom of the sack will rot out by the end of the grow. I may experiment on reinforcing it with melted beeswax or something.

In any case, I'm definitely going to listen in here. Thanks!

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

Besides the rootpruning and shaping of the rootball advantage of air/smart pots, I think they also supply more air to the roots than solid walled containers. I feel like I can use a mix with more water and nutrient holding capacity, and less drainage promoting non organics. Also, it seem like plants can tolerate a mix hotter in organic amendments than they would in a solid walled container.

Capt. Cheeze, that CJ seems to make people talk less, or not at all. I think it has an introspective quality. Originally, I thought that was not so positive since it isolates people and kind of kills the party vibe, but so far never seen anyone get paraniod in the classic sense.

 

[twiztidbudsmoke]

interesting to hear results with these, I might give them a try

 

[grapeman]

grapeman- This is a good idea. Since the roots are growing so much in veg you're getting your money's worth out of the pot. Then in flower you've got a nice root mass ready to go...

Thanks. I think so too. If I veg for 3 to 4 weeks in these small air pots, I get no spiraling, just roots poking everywhere ready to go crazy.

I think I'm getting my money's worth.

 

[grapeman]

I guess I should have mentioned I've experimented with both. The Smart pots definitely took more damage than the air pots. I'm kind to my plants but I don't baby them.
Cool little deal as far as root development goes,but It just isn't really working for larger "chamber" gardening where shuffling 5 to 10 gallon pots around in a concentrated area every couple days for watering and plant maintenance is a factor.

Couldn't comment on that so I take your word for it.

I do love these airpots for vegging though. Sort of a paint to water but worth it when you see the root formation.

 

[TheTommy]

What about the holes in the air pots grapeman, your mix doesn't fall out when you water?

 

[TheTommy]

I have never used them, but that was a thought I had when I saw them

 

[grapeman]

What about the holes in the air pots grapeman, your mix doesn't fall out when you water?

Only a bit on the first watering. I've found that the rigid structure of the air pots easier to work with then the floppy material of the smart pots. I've also found that they allow more air into the root zone, needing water a bit more often, but forcing a much better root structure then the smart pots.

my remaining smart pots are seldom used anymore.

 

[kingofqueen]

In what ways should one adjust there soil mix for air-pots? Replace some of the perlite for vermiculite ? I,m preparing for my next grow and have invested alot of time figuring out a soil mix for regular pots getting kinda close to decide what to do .

 

[guest2012y]

Besides the rootpruning and shaping of the rootball advantage of air/smart pots, I think they also supply more air to the roots than solid walled containers. I feel like I can use a mix with more water and nutrient holding capacity, and less drainage promoting non organics. Also, it seem like plants can tolerate a mix hotter in organic amendments than they would in a solid walled container.

Capt. Cheeze, that CJ seems to make people talk less, or not at all. I think it has an introspective quality. Originally, I thought that was not so positive since it isolates people and kind of kills the party vibe, but so far never seen anyone get paraniod in the classic sense.

It seems to make sense that they would be able to tolerate a bit more "heat" in a mix that way...as if they get to breath and "off gas" by-products of decomposition or something.
CJ sounds like something I could use for people that DO talk too much. Sounds chill for sure Mr G

 

[City Twin]

In what ways should one adjust there soil mix for air-pots? Replace some of the perlite for vermiculite ?

That was my thought. Seemed reasonable to use 50/50 - per/verm mix considering the pots increased transpiration.

 

[treefrog]

There is a trick to transplanting into the airpots.
I flip it upside down and pack soil in the bottom, then place the saucer, water catch over the bottom and flip it over. Then, you want to pack the sides with soil as you fill it up.
Also, to prevent your water from running out the sides, you want to make the top kind of like a bowl, with the soil curving up to the top of the pot. That way, the water soaks all the way through, instead of running out holes in the sides. Make sense?
Anyways, I love them.

 

[hash head]

I had an idea... what about a root pruning pot shaped like this... ? could even have the texture (spikes) from the one above.. But with holes on both the sides and the top facing parts of each layer, so that water when saturating the top layer would leak out the sides but leak down into the holes or mote like opening on the top of each successive layer.. out the sides again and down to the next layer.... this type of pot shape could help improve water and nutrient retention while having strong air pruning and nitrogen and co2 flow for the roots.

Its also interesting the air pots that are connected with a zip tie, makes it a lot easier to transplant as the spiky shape can make it difficult if they grow too large in the container and it cant be taken apart.


I also think using the Devo hat shaped airpot like I describe it would be interesting to try to manufacture it out of pressed coco coir, or some other breathable compostable, sturdy, organic and neutral material.


other improvements