Plastic Vs. Clay Containers

[CannaDestroyer]

i was just reading from "natural cures" and came across a section that mentions clay being superior to plastic for potting containers. the reason stated is that postive energy is transfered into the roots from the clay because it is "living" (i'll use that term loosely). obviously plastic is man-made and therefore transfers no energy to the roots. i have always used plastic, but this peaked my interest. i have been studing tera pretta also. has anyone here done any testing between clay and plastic, if so what where you end opinions and details details details.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

It could be a real problem if the clay container were to break or crack. The cost difference is another consideration perhaps.

 

[P-NUT]

I was recently wondering the same thing.also interested in the terra pretta. i would love to start an ecovillage in the amazon.

 

[CannaDestroyer]

clackamas - good thinking, i've considered this also. however i'm more interested in percieved benefits, if there are any. i will consider other factors later.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

Terra Cotta (Clay) pots are a PITA to transplant from. IMO. The roots want to stick to the pot.

 

[CannaDestroyer]

after looking into this a bit more, i see two advantages. first clay pots breathe. meaning more air to the roots. whether or not this is significant, i don't know. i do plan to test a few and see if i notice any difference in the roots or general growth. the second advantage would only apply to an organic gardener. terra cotta is very porous, so like lava rock it provides a good home for beneficial bacteria.

pinballwizard - thanks for bringing that up. it doesn't effect me as i only transplant once, but some people do, and might want to consider that.

 

[Dee9]

teracotta vs stoneware

teracotta vs stoneware

after looking into this a bit more, i see two advantages. first clay pots breathe. meaning more air to the roots. whether or not this is significant, i don't know. i do plan to test a few and see if i notice any difference in the roots or general growth. the second advantage would only apply to an organic gardener. terra cotta is very porous, so like lava rock it provides a good home for beneficial bacteria.

pinballwizard - thanks for bringing that up. it doesn't effect me as i only transplant once, but some people do, and might want to consider that.

Hey CannaDestroyer

Terracotta pots will breath, but stoneware pots will not.
Stoneware will keep the roots cooler - but as I recall, stoneware pots are more expensive...

Someone told me terracotta pots are no good for plants, stoneware is better, because teracotta does not keep the rootzone cool enough, and loses moisture too fast.

I have never tried it in my lil'garden, because I am worried about pests lurking when re-using...

 

[Weedman Herb]

So clay fired at like a zillion degrees still lives ???

 

[Dee9]

So clay fired at like a zillion degrees still lives ???

maybe in an esoteric sense...

 

[Weedman Herb]

Hmmmm ... I don't think the wife has to bust out the Tarot Cards for this matter ... and they do kind of live ... once you start a biological process in them ... if you can dig on clay pots being re-established with things (or things Like the things) that may have lived in the clay before the firing ... But I am no expert on clay ...
On The Bad Side to using clay pots IME ... they crack easily ... they can draw moisture from the medium, and become soggy ... too dry or too wet is not close to ideal IMHO ... they are heavy and usually have a centered single drain hole ... this exacerbates the soggy thang and makes the pots hard to move and to judge moisture content by weight. Most plastic pots are made to drain well or can be easily adapted to do so ... The only down side I have found with plastic pots is they are lightweight and when my medium dries my plants are prone to take a fall late in flower ... maybe I should grow lighter buds??? Nawwwww

 

[CannaDestroyer]

after a test grow using two clay pots and the rest plastic, i don't see any noticable difference in the end product or yields. the root structure in the clay pots is slightly more expansive, supporting the idea that terra cotta breathes. i also noticed that the clay does absorb some water, but it is released back into the soil during the dry cycle. there maybe some long term benefit from strong bacterial/fungal networks establishing in the clay, but i doubt it will be significant. final conculsion: clay doesn't seem to provide any real advantage over plastic.

 

[P-NUT]

aside from you can dipose of it without putting it in a dump.

 

[deltronZER0]

i was sort of thinking about something like this the other day.
I was wondering if you guys have all seen those steel waterbottles? the ones that don't leach carcinogenic plastic into your water? I have one and was wondering if there was any research on the carcinogenic plastics growing into the buds?

 

[Blue Dot]

Clay dries out too fast. Dry soil plus lots of nutes equals nuteburn.

And ditto about the transplanting.

 

[HighonPottery]

for the sole function of working as a planting vessel, the plastic is going to win.

plastic pots are a very cheap solution to the problem and are readily available in a huge array of sizes. they are uniform in shape which is good for stacking. quality ones can be used for a long time. leaching plastic toxins into the soil is a possibility - probably more in the sun. they take up precious oil resources. they fill up the landfills. but recycled plastic is an option, too.


clay can have its advantages, too. it is a proven thing and has been around for thousands of years. clay pots are expensive to make since the energy cost to kiln fire them is high. they do provide great insulation to roots. they also break when dropped. they can absorb water if not vitreous. larger/custom sizes are not cost effective. but they have an aesthetic that the plastic can't compete with.

i don't see the clay being able to give off good vibes, but i do see the possibility of the clay harboring beneficial microbes if you have a pot that's unglazed inside. depending on the minerals in the particular clay body, there could very well be some sort of charge emitted to the roots.

if i had to choose a pot for my patio, i'm going clay all the way - and i'm gonna make it myself. but if i had to pick the best pot to grow my pot in...i'm going to choose a recycled plastic Air-Pot. If you don't know what it is, do yourself a favor and look it up.

 

[geopolitical]

The moisture loss can be a major issue with clay. If the clay is unglazed, you can lose enough moisture from the sides to do a real number on the roots. Some plants do fine in clay, but I switched to plastic a good 20 years ago because of issue with sensitive plants.

I do not think a substantial amount of gas exchange will occur through the clay, certainly not on the level that would be more beneficial than say, adding more perlite or other materials to increase mix loft.

 

[farmerlion]

Highon pottery, I agree with you on the vibes part. My lotto numbers give off good vibes tell they are not called. I used plastic on my last grow and it was stellar. I'm going to build a wooden case 2'w x 2'h x8'l tommarrow for my new grow. I have'nt decided on a lining for it yet. A sealer might leach into the soil. bad vibes. I will probably use plastic sheeting for a water seal. I do know one thing about good vibes. If you really study and know what you are doing. The good vibes come alot more often. Good growing to you all.

 

[CannaDestroyer]

I do know one thing about good vibes. If you really study and know what you are doing. The good vibes come alot more often. Good growing to you all.

I couldn't agree more, there is no substitute for study and expericence. i do find out of box thinking occasionally yields real world benefits. usually small, but they might make all the difference to a medical user or even a connoisseur. that aside, i would like to know more about the plastics used to make plant pots. how toxic are they really?

 

[WeedChuck]

Dont know if anyoue has mentioned it or not, but clay pots unless water proofed and cleaned semi-regularly will accumulate fert salts,and calcium depending on water hardness, badly.