PacificNorthWes
Member
RootMaker Pots shit on smart pots!!! There cheaper last forever and way way better root system.. Try rootmaker pots one time you wont ever ever go back to smart pots
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Smart Pots
- Thread starter Clackamas Coot
- Start date
I'm making my own smart pots from these:
http://www.aghydroponics.com/Square-Mesh-Pot-9-x-9-x-5-25-25-Case-p/potmesh-724439cs.htm
Then I line them with weed-block (no pun)
fabric from home depot.
The mesh pot lets plenty of air through and the
weed block catches the roots and promotes root branching further back on the root.
The above mesh pot holds more than the 2 gal smart pot
but is square & shorter and the mesh pot offers rigidity
and handling ease and nice edges to use bungy straps
to support the main stem if needed.
My cost is $2. for a better smart pot ....
Square pots won't fit in my regular round saucers but
a square white plastic dish washing tub ($1) from any
dollar store/wally world works as a saucer.
http://www.aghydroponics.com/Square-Mesh-Pot-9-x-9-x-5-25-25-Case-p/potmesh-724439cs.htm
Then I line them with weed-block (no pun)
fabric from home depot.
The mesh pot lets plenty of air through and the
weed block catches the roots and promotes root branching further back on the root.
The above mesh pot holds more than the 2 gal smart pot
but is square & shorter and the mesh pot offers rigidity
and handling ease and nice edges to use bungy straps
to support the main stem if needed.
My cost is $2. for a better smart pot ....
Square pots won't fit in my regular round saucers but
a square white plastic dish washing tub ($1) from any
dollar store/wally world works as a saucer.
One thing to consider is the shorter the pot (media) the greater the "container capacity" (CC; aka "water-holding capacity"; aka "water-filled porosity") and the lower the "air porosity" (AP). CC should be (ideally) 60-65% and AP should be (ideally) 20-30%. It's better to use tall pots than short pots for higher AP; which should at least > 15%.
Also, as the media reduces in height the "Perched Water Table" (PWT) takes up more media relative to total media. I.e., the PWT stays at the same height regardless of media height, thus the shorter the media the more media is under PWT.
Here is an example of what I mean by height of media verses height of PWT:
For a given media, the perched water table remains the same regardless of plant height. It is therefore unwise to use the same media in large containers as small.
Thank you spurr for the fine info.....
@ onegreenday,
If you'd like to see a good animated podcast on the basics of media physical proprieties check out the following Floracutlure Podcast by hosted Greenhouse Grower Magazine (called "FloraCast"); presented by Dr. Brain Krug from UNH:
"Media Physical Properties - Part I"
http://www.greenhousegrower.com/ggtv/?vid=431
P.S. Check out all the other podcasts, there are ton of good ones
If you'd like to see a good animated podcast on the basics of media physical proprieties check out the following Floracutlure Podcast by hosted Greenhouse Grower Magazine (called "FloraCast"); presented by Dr. Brain Krug from UNH:
- FloraCast is a series of podcasts in by UNH, NCSU, KSU, Cornell U., and Purdue U.; hosted by Greenhouse Grower magainze
"Media Physical Properties - Part I"
http://www.greenhousegrower.com/ggtv/?vid=431
P.S. Check out all the other podcasts, there are ton of good ones
the perched water table depends on the media used, or how mixed.
perlite has more capillary action than hydroton (moisture rises more in perlite than in hydroton).
perlite mixed with calcined clay will bring the moisture level up even more.
fine perlite, fine pumice and a calcined clay (mixed together) should provide greater dispersement (up) of overall moisture. jagged crevices and lighter profile lets water move up thru & over the media (by cohesion) easier than large, smooth particles.
2cents...
perlite has more capillary action than hydroton (moisture rises more in perlite than in hydroton).
perlite mixed with calcined clay will bring the moisture level up even more.
fine perlite, fine pumice and a calcined clay (mixed together) should provide greater dispersement (up) of overall moisture. jagged crevices and lighter profile lets water move up thru & over the media (by cohesion) easier than large, smooth particles.
2cents...
Last edited:
misstress, I see you have been studying!
mrktwiz
Member
No thanks..I'll stick with my Smart Pots or my Air Pots, .....
I really want to try the airpots... they look awesome.
My current run included mostly 7 Gallon round plastic pots.... with a few square 4 gallon pots.
I prefer the 4 gallon square by far.
out of 12 plants, we used (1) 7 gallon smart pot.... this is by far the SMALLEST AND WEAKEST PLANT out of ALL 12 plants.... IMO these smart pots are no good.
I was VERY surprised, but the results speak for themselves.
All 12 plants were cloned from the same mother, all had the same nutrients and we all very similar in size.... the smart pot plant just couldn't keep up.
Time for AirPots! those Root pictures Look INSANE
My current run included mostly 7 Gallon round plastic pots.... with a few square 4 gallon pots.
I prefer the 4 gallon square by far.
out of 12 plants, we used (1) 7 gallon smart pot.... this is by far the SMALLEST AND WEAKEST PLANT out of ALL 12 plants.... IMO these smart pots are no good.
I was VERY surprised, but the results speak for themselves.
All 12 plants were cloned from the same mother, all had the same nutrients and we all very similar in size.... the smart pot plant just couldn't keep up.
Time for AirPots! those Root pictures Look INSANE
not exactly what I would call a controlled experiment, which is why your conclusion is so outlandish. Do you really think that your clone would have done any better in a plastic pot? What do you figure it is about your pot being made out of felt that would cause your plant to weaken?
Incidentally, I have some smart pots going, plus one plastic pot in the flower room. The one in the plastic pot is by far the weakest. Again, I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with the container.
BIG JT
Member
Whodare got me wishing i spent the extra money on the airpots. plus they look so damn cool. Oh well, next time. Got some transplantin to do, 25 2 gallon smart pots into 25 5 gallon smart pots, then 13 clones in 3x3 sqares moving into the 2 gallons. Last run I did plastic bags, i can already see the difference.
@ mad - I by no means was running an experiment, and it's very likely it was just a problem plant from the get go.
Just what I noticed... The guy at my local grow shop gave me one for free and I used it.
Same Plants, Same Nutrients.... I was hoping for improved results, but I didn't get any.
If I was really curious, I would do a more professional side by side experiment...
Take it for what it's worth
Just what I noticed... The guy at my local grow shop gave me one for free and I used it.
Same Plants, Same Nutrients.... I was hoping for improved results, but I didn't get any.
If I was really curious, I would do a more professional side by side experiment...
Take it for what it's worth
PacificNorthWes
Member
http://www.rootmaker.com/retail_products.php?Pageload=2#top
Theses rootmaker pots are designed to promote not just root growth, but horizontal growth.. They also allow way more feedings and way less dirt
Theses rootmaker pots are designed to promote not just root growth, but horizontal growth.. They also allow way more feedings and way less dirt
I just placed an order for a one gallon Plant Warrior container, one gallon Rootmaker container, and a one gallon RootBuilder II container.
When I clear some room in my veg tent, I will compare all 3 versus fabric containers called Root Pouch that I use. Basically the same as Smart Pots.
Ill do a thread sometime in the future for this when I can do this comparison.
When I clear some room in my veg tent, I will compare all 3 versus fabric containers called Root Pouch that I use. Basically the same as Smart Pots.
Ill do a thread sometime in the future for this when I can do this comparison.
Marn
Member
Went to the hydro shop with the intention on buying regular old plastic pots and walked out with 6 #2 Smart Pots. I had some issues with a plant getting root bound last grow so I think I made the right choice. I'm excited to get my plants out of 2 litter bottles and into the new pots when I switch to 12/12.
Well anyway, I figured it must be the fact that I'm using T5s and down there in the mini-forest it was a perfect environment for mold. Today I splurged and upgraded to a 1000 watt HPS. maybe that'll improve the situation. Just like a nice afternoon in August Just doing' my part to help the economy in these tough times we're having.
Just doing' my part to help the economy in these tough times we're having.
Love smart pots! I use em in flower since they are a bit hard to up pot out of,.... but I feel they perform much better than plastic pots or bags.
pineappaloupe
Active member
I've always assumed that these dry out faster. Has anyone done any work with sub irrigating these pots using promix?
