Plastic mesh grow bags vs cloth

Since people seem unwilling to click on the link, here's the pertinent information:

When I first got into this industry, the only manufacturer I was aware of was based in the United States. However, like any industry, soon competitors were offering comparable products and cheaper pricing out of China. Since I first started using fabric pots in my garden 12 years ago, I've used many brands such as Geo Pots, Gro Pro, and many others. I assumed the only real variables were thickness of the pots, durability, and price.

In the past year, I've gotten my hands on some testing for a few different brands of fabric pots and the results were shocking. Testing showed inconsistency between batches on fabric pots across the same manufacturer. One test showed lead as high as 327 mg/kg and BPA as high as 20 mg/kg.

These tests only looked for lead content of non-metallic substrates and total bisphenol-A (BPA). Other potential toxins are heavy metals, phthalates, and BPS.

This is a huge issue and one that needs to be addressed by consumers, regulatory agencies, and most importantly by manufacturers. I would like to see increased testing of all containers by manufacturers as assurance that they are providing a clean product to growers. As the average gardener can't afford the hundreds of dollars required to test their fabric pots, I believe that organizations that certify farms and facilities like the ODA and WSDA need to recognize this as a potential source of contamination and offer some level of protection to consumers.

While the testing I've seen is related to fabric containers, I believe we should also be looking at traditional plastic pots and, more importantly, plastic saucers. Depending on environmental conditions, standing water touches the plastic in temperatures often exceeding 80F. This seems like perfect conditions for the uptake of BPA into the water which could then be taken up by the plant.

Let's bring this issue to the forefront and get a greater body of testing so growers can know that their containers are safe to use on edible crops.

Resources:

Effects of bisphenol A on growth, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in above-ground organs of soybean seedlings.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23123119

Effects of bisphenol A on growth and nitrogen nutrition of roots of soybean seedlings.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23109293

https://desertification.wordpress.c...own-in-plastic-containers-willem-van-cotthem/

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/plastic-manufacturing-chemical-bps-harms-egg-cells-study-suggests

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...e-plastics-zmaz09aszraw?pageid=1#PageContent1

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/are-your-plant-containers-leaching-toxins-your-food

http://thesoftlanding.com/are-you-ruining-your-organic-garden-with-toxic-plastic/

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/safe-grow-vegetables-rubbermaid-storage-containers-92643.html

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/soils/lead-in-home-garden/

photo credits: http://www.pennlive.com/gardening/2015/11/test_time_in_the_garden_mulch.html

http://www.victoryhydro.com/blog/2014/2/9/ubqp4bibpk8kvleiam7ipygnq4sl81

http://floridata.com/tracks/ginny/potbound.html

Smartpots advertises "clean fabric". No BPA or lead etc.
Something to look for.
Consumers will decide.

h.h. said:

Smartpots advertises "clean fabric". No BPA or lead etc.
Something to look for.
Consumers will decide.

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They're a good company and made in the USA. My only complaint is they don't have a kit with trellis or pvc sewn in for structure.

KIS said:

They're a good company and made in the USA. My only complaint is they don't have a kit with trellis or pvc sewn in for structure.

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Use your imagination

KIS said:

They're a good company and made in the USA. My only complaint is they don't have a kit with trellis or pvc sewn in for structure.

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Honor the plant has that with their grow beds.

I watched the YouTube with the pot sitting on the chair and him spraying water on top and the side and my first thought was the side wall doesn’t appear to allow much water though which makes me wonder how well it breathes and air prunes roots. If you have grown with them what are you seeing with the roots ??

stewart169 said:

I really like these. Looks like I’m in for a couple 8 gallon ones. They look like they breathe and are durable. Thanks for making me spend more money

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the ease of cleaning and reusability will save you money in the end. there is a video on their IG that shows how easy they are to clean with a power washer. I find that after using the fabric pots I have to throw them away, just too hard to clean. different with these, they should last awhile

stewart169 said:

I watched the YouTube with the pot sitting on the chair and him spraying water on top and the side and my first thought was the side wall doesn’t appear to allow much water though which makes me wonder how well it breathes and air prunes roots. If you have grown with them what are you seeing with the roots ??

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If you put your grow bags on top of a flooded 6" of perlite the roots grow through the pots agressively. Unfortunately I don't have photos to share. Maybe someone else will. If you also use a flood or ebb to bottom water the roots respond well. As someone stated earlier these pots dry out too quick in later stages of growth and require a lot of water to thrive! Grow bags are nice once you master the watering and fertilizer aspects

The wiki has a nice article about Transpiration if your interested

acespicoli said:

If you put your grow bags on top of a flooded 6" of perlite the roots grow through the pots agressively. Unfortunately I don't have photos to share. Maybe someone else will. If you also use a flood or ebb to bottom water the roots respond well. As someone stated earlier these pots dry out too quick in later stages of growth and require a lot of water to thrive! Grow bags are nice once you master the watering and fertilizer aspects

The wiki has a nice article about Transpiration if your interested

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I have got watering smart pots down pretty well. It’s why my last soil mix I went a little light on perlite to help retain moisture a bit better. Plants seem to really like it.

stewart169 said:

I watched the YouTube with the pot sitting on the chair and him spraying water on top and the side and my first thought was the side wall doesn’t appear to allow much water though which makes me wonder how well it breathes and air prunes roots. If you have grown with them what are you seeing with the roots ??

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Don't worry. Be happy.
Think of Goretex.
But not Goretex.
I did do a root examination. While I was pleased, I attributed it to the mix that I was trying out at the same time. I was doing a trial with Pittmoss simultaneously. Other stuff I hadn't used before. Zeolite, pumice, marine char, along with a hoard of nutrients and prefermented amendments.

I really like the Pittmoss, except for price.

A pot full of roots. A lot of fine hairs. No signs of root strangulation. Soil moist through out. I'd say as good as the Smart pots I was using. Maybe better. Not at all like plastic pots with roots running down the sides.

Certainly stiffer and should last longer.


Did I mention, I like spending other peoples money?

h.h. said:

Don't worry. Be happy.
Think of Goretex.
But not Goretex.
I did do a root examination. While I was pleased, I attributed it to the mix that I was trying out at the same time. I was doing a trial with Pittmoss simultaneously. Other stuff I hadn't used before. Zeolite, pumice, marine char, along with a hoard of nutrients and prefermented amendments.

I really like the Pittmoss, except for price.

A pot full of roots. A lot of fine hairs. No signs of root strangulation. Soil moist through out. I'd say as good as the Smart pots I was using. Maybe better. Not at all like plastic pots with roots running down the sides.

Certainly stiffer and should last longer.


Did I mention, I like spending other peoples money?

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Thanks for the feedback. I like to hear from people who actually have bought a product compared to a hundred testimonials from a seller or a sellers website. I think these sound like what I need to use to replace my beat up bags.

AND I got a wife who likes to spend my money as well Im not sure who spends our money faster, me or her !! She like shoes and clothes and I like grow stuff and seeds.

blumats and fabric pots = winner

stewart169 said:

Thanks for the feedback. I like to hear from people who actually have bought a product compared to a hundred testimonials from a seller or a sellers website. I think these sound like what I need to use to replace my beat up bags.

AND I got a wife who likes to spend my money as well Im not sure who spends our money faster, me or her !! She like shoes and clothes and I like grow stuff and seeds.

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I used to be a contractor. I'll spend your 10k and then some.
"I don't save your pennies, I spend your dollars."



You'll see the quality if you spring for them. At the price, I doubt they'd stay in business otherwise.
And they are bling. A little bling in the garden keeps it exciting. Let her pick out the colors.

I just ordered a few. 15% discount "codacash" !! Dont know if it works for all. First purchase discount.
Hope these are as durable and work as well as advertised. In a couple months next grow will be the first use.

One discount per email address.
Waiting for your review.

No affiliation.

Today @ NOON Mountain Time we will be listing a lot of scratch and dent grow bags and grow beds on our website www.honortheplant.com! These will go fast so do don't miss out! 30-50% OFF!!!

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snel said:

blumats and fabric pots = winner

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Whats in that blumat a float valve ?





I have been looking into to sensor ones non electric would be the one im looking for if it works well.
My concern would be running nute water through them and clogging maybe its not a issue?

acespicoli said:

Whats in that blumat a float valve ?

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View Image

I have been looking into to sensor ones non electric would be the one im looking for if it works well.
My concern would be running nute water through them and clogging maybe its not a issue?

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Take this with a grain of salt, because I have no personal experience with the Blumats. I am collecting parts myself for my small grow room.

But from what I've seen others report, it's hit or miss on sending nutes through the Blumats depending on what nute regiment you're using. Some do just fine, others gunk and clog up to the point of being unusable.

I plan on running plain RO water through mine, so I should have no issues.

GOT_BUD? said:

Take this with a grain of salt, because I have no personal experience with the Blumats. I am collecting parts myself for my small grow room.

But from what I've seen others report, it's hit or miss on sending nutes through the Blumats depending on what nute regiment you're using. Some do just fine, others gunk and clog up to the point of being unusable.

I plan on running plain RO water through mine, so I should have no issues.

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As someone who has used Blumats for years and sell commercial systems and custom designs with them, I would recommend not putting anything through the blumats but clean water. You can always water over the top with any nutrients or have a separate delivery system.

question for everyone what media you have in your grow bags?