Looking at the roots, I'm guessing you left the plant in the cup way too long, causing roots to run around the outside.
AP makes small starter pots as well. Once the plant is developed, simply open the pot, carefully move the soil mix into a larger pot.
Been using airpots for 2 yrs now and I love them. Started off doing a comparison using 2Gal Airpots, Smartpots, and square containers.
The square pots held their own just fine.
Smartpots are a PITA to me, hard to clean, they are no longer in the mix.
The Airpots are a breeze to clean, a big plus to me.
After using the 3.4 and 2 gal. I'm now growing solely w/ the .80 gal.
As, a hobby breeder, I want to look at as many plants as I can in my limited space. Plants grown in a 1 gal plastic pot get rootbound a lot sooner, the Airpots in this size rule for me. I'm also starting to grow long-flowering sativas, with the belief that I can keep the size down while keeping the roots healthy in these .80 pots.
Yeah, hand-watering is a particular PITA w/ these smaller pots. Blumats are ideal, I have 'em, but still handwater cause I like to be able to move my plants around, examine them, take photos.
joedogsong, best wishes for your grow, look forward to your findings.
Don't know what you are referring to. This example IS using the smallest air-pot. I see no root spiraling, just a very developed root ball. This plant is NOT part of the comparison, only to get a look at what is going on inside the airpot with root development. If you do not open the pot you will not be able to remove the plant without completely destroying it.
Most of us already know what the root system looks like when transplanting from a normal pot.
skunkbear; there are lots of differences as per documented above. I do believe like all things of this nature it takes experience to correctly dial in optimal potential. This is my first time with these so I expect to have a learning curve. Welcome along for the ride...