Air-Pot vs Fabric Pot vs Root Trapper II

[TedeBoy]

I've only used standard fabric pots for my grows.
What I find is the fabric breathes so much the medium/soil dries quickly and during watering the water bleeds through the sides.
I was wondering if these same issues occur with the Air-Pot or the Root Trapper II as they do with the standard dark grey fabric pots?

 

[jswett1100]

clothe pots work really good imo, Once the plant out grows the pot, roots will come out the bottom and you can just transplant it into a bigger bag or uproot it. the water only usually comes out the side if there really root bound and its a small bag.

 

[TedeBoy]

clothe pots work really good imo, Once the plant out grows the pot, roots will come out the bottom and you can just transplant it into a bigger bag or uproot it. the water only usually comes out the side if there really root bound and its a small bag.

I've had good luck with smart pots (fabric). I'm just wondering if the Air-Pot and the Root Trapper II are better at retaining the water.
Even when my fabric containers aren't root bound I still get water seeping from the sides when I water.
If I water real slowly that helps but still it seeps out.

 

[Morriston55]

Are you using a cheap fabric bag? Ive used cheap black fabric ones and water did seep out the side, but now use HydroFarm brand, which is quite a bit thicker and sturdier (have been re-used many times) but get literally zero water seeping out the sides, only the bottom.

I have also used air pots and yes they do seep quite a bit of water out of the sides when using a loose airated medium (coco/perlite), but it just drips down the side of the bucket

As long as youve got a good quality saucer or drip tray, whats the worry about a little water seeping

 

[TedeBoy]

Are you using a cheap fabric bag? Ive used cheap black fabric ones and water did seep out the side, but now use HydroFarm brand, which is quite a bit thicker and sturdier (have been re-used many times) but get literally zero water seeping out the sides, only the bottom.

I have also used air pots and yes they do seep quite a bit of water out of the sides when using a loose airated medium (coco/perlite), but it just drips down the side of the bucket

As long as youve got a good quality saucer or drip tray, whats the worry about a little water seeping

Good point about the cheap bags. Yes mine were inexpensive.

 

[THE KONASSURE]

VS plastic bag pot ?

I use them ok sacks suck up water from the tray better and can cool the roots better when its hot

but anything that folds down to almost nothing and can be posted is always a winner

fabric sacks or plastic bag pots are my 1st choice normally

block of rockwall for germination or a nice 1L to 5L pot for popping them

 

[GroErr]

There's a trick that works well for fabric pots to reduce leaking. When you up-pot/transplant pack the outer edge, just like the width of your fingers really well around the outer edge.. Agree that quality of the bags makes a difference though, the root pouch one's I have are generally better quality and don't tend to leak. I use 1/3/5/7's indoor, did some 10/15's outdoor also. They build great root systems.

 

[TedeBoy]

I just ordered six 5 gallon Root Trapper II containers.

http://www.rootmaker.com/retail/26

I ordered the taller size not the "squat" version so I can conserve floor space.
We'll see how they do.

 

[bryan oconner]

i use grow bags or fabric pots for my 20 gallon containers . for my 1/2 3 and 5 and 7 / i have used fabric but 2 years ago i switched to plastic . its so cheap plastic throw away bags cost me hardly anything mabe 30 to 50 c each compared to fabric 5 to 8 each . ok the results are the same for me every thing . from the roots to the plant . why i use grow bags for the 20 so can move them handles only reason .

 

[jswett1100]

i use grow bags or fabric pots for my 20 gallon containers . for my 1/2 3 and 5 and 7 / i have used fabric but 2 years ago i switched to plastic . its so cheap plastic throw away bags cost me hardly anything mabe 30 to 50 c each compared to fabric 5 to 8 each . ok the results are the same for me every thing . from the roots to the plant . why i use grow bags for the 20 so can move them handles only reason .

Very good point to bring up on the price, the cheap plastic bags work great are there only like 30 cents for a 7 gal at my local grow store.