Container newbie observation...

oakley · August 11, 2017

Interesting being somewhat new at containers.
A few years ago I stuffed in some toms in 7 gal tree pots in the driveway...
(too many starts without a home)

They did great. Nice snaking and good harvest even in the forest. But a bacon strip
of all day sun was observed so I went for it. Still at it. I do have to observe the suns
postion and slide them every once in a while, every one/two weeks, but no biggie....

Then I started lots of herbs on the deck just outside the kitchen. 6-7 hours sun so not
perfect...
Fast forward, I have about 36 dwarf/micros on the deck doing great.
(tested a couple last year by bring a couple in late August on the deck bench)
They get lot s of attention daily, early morning with coffee, late at night with deck lights.

Some of the 'winter-grown' have exhausted themselves going on 9/10 months now, so
I thought to 'let them go' and re-use the bags. Massive roots. probably way too small
pots but they gave a great harvest.

The plastic nursery pot, same variety, same sow date, has a much smaller root mass.
Pretty impressive for a newbie. I'm sure most already know this. but for others with a
deck/smaller growing situation, it works better than I would have thought.

oakley · August 11, 2017

forgot the pic...

zipcode · August 12, 2017

Was the one with smaller roots producing less? I never tried fabric pots, it would make a mess on my balcony, so probably won't either.

oakley · August 12, 2017

Yes, a smaller production in the plastic pot. It was a struggle getting the plants out of
the fabric pots. (probably too small container for the plants but that's the learning curve)

51 tom plants, I just counted, on the deck. Removed four. 13 are micros, 22 are dwarf
project. The rest are a mixed bag of released Dwarfs, etc.

All are in 1 and 2 gallon fabric pots except for four now. I'll pay attention to root mass
when I pull them in late Sept.

I don't find them 'messy' but my deck is well aged. I suppose they may stain a freshly
painted white deck without a protective saucer or the like. I built long shallow trays to
help prevent drying out too fast.

Rockporter · August 12, 2017

My understanding of how the fabric pots work is the roots can grow as much as they need to without becoming bound. The fabric of the pot allows the roots to be pruned by the air and sun when they grow through it. That is probably why you had trouble getting them out of the bags.

Tiny Tim · February 16, 2018

Oakley, I've been using fabric pots for a few years now. They always out perform plastic nursery pots for me too. I found rolling them down over their self makes removing the root mass much easier. BTW, nice root mass. I let them dry completely then inside out beat them against the side of my deck and most remaining roots break free. Other than a good rinsing, I do nothing more then replant. Some have been used for three growth cycles. Happy gardening...

August 11, 2017	#1
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	Container newbie observation... Interesting being somewhat new at containers. A few years ago I stuffed in some toms in 7 gal tree pots in the driveway... (too many starts without a home) They did great. Nice snaking and good harvest even in the forest. But a bacon strip of all day sun was observed so I went for it. Still at it. I do have to observe the suns postion and slide them every once in a while, every one/two weeks, but no biggie.... Then I started lots of herbs on the deck just outside the kitchen. 6-7 hours sun so not perfect... Fast forward, I have about 36 dwarf/micros on the deck doing great. (tested a couple last year by bring a couple in late August on the deck bench) They get lot s of attention daily, early morning with coffee, late at night with deck lights. Some of the 'winter-grown' have exhausted themselves going on 9/10 months now, so I thought to 'let them go' and re-use the bags. Massive roots. probably way too small pots but they gave a great harvest. The plastic nursery pot, same variety, same sow date, has a much smaller root mass. Pretty impressive for a newbie. I'm sure most already know this. but for others with a deck/smaller growing situation, it works better than I would have thought.

August 12, 2017	#5
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	My understanding of how the fabric pots work is the roots can grow as much as they need to without becoming bound. The fabric of the pot allows the roots to be pruned by the air and sun when they grow through it. That is probably why you had trouble getting them out of the bags. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

August 12, 2017	#3
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Was the one with smaller roots producing less? I never tried fabric pots, it would make a mess on my balcony, so probably won't either.

February 16, 2018	#6
Tiny Tim Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Near Albany,NY Posts: 90	Oakley, I've been using fabric pots for a few years now. They always out perform plastic nursery pots for me too. I found rolling them down over their self makes removing the root mass much easier. BTW, nice root mass. I let them dry completely then inside out beat them against the side of my deck and most remaining roots break free. Other than a good rinsing, I do nothing more then replant. Some have been used for three growth cycles. Happy gardening...