seeds Breatheable Containers for Seedlings

Teaks

Teaks

Hey everyone, quick idea here.
 
I have been interested in trying smart pots for my peppers this year, as to avoid root circling etcetc..
 
However, while plants are still very small (lets say 6 inches or less) what are some ideas for "Starter" breatheable containers?
 
I know a lot of people house their small plants in things such as Red Solo cups until they're big enough for pots - but that wouldn't necessarily promote aeration in the roots.
For all I know, it's probably not even an issue for when plants are small..
 
I was thinking, would perhaps coffee filters provide a faux-Smart-pot for seedlings? Or maybe even a sock, provided you figure out how to support the sock so it'll sit up straight.
 
Curious to hear opinions/thoughts
 
juanitos said:
a quick draining, non compacting medium does a lot more than the pot.
you will eventually transplant out of it in a couple months anyway.
Click to expand...
^ this.
 
 
 
 
However if you wanted to do an experiment to see if there was a significant difference by providing air pruning to the roots of small seedlings i would go with Airpots rather than fabric grow bags for the experiment.
 
They aren't cheap   https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/THAPPROP
might be able to find a better price or different lot size elsewhere.
 
 
Plenty of people have great success with just a good draining medium (lots of perlite) and a solo cup though.
 
if you decide to experiment with air pruning the roots during the small seedling stage, i would be interested to see your results. 
:)
 
last week I asked to have a sample of the Rediroot Prop Trays (they also have containair)
rlorybo.png

 
in the same king of pots
http://pioneerpot.com/products/
http://www.timmenterprises.com/ercole-air-pruning-containers
 
hogleg said:
:think: Maybe try women's nylons (pantyhoes?) from the dollar store?
Click to expand...
 
 
That'd be interesting!
 
 
KAOS said:
You could always use nursery grow bags.
 
They are dirt (see what I did there) cheap.
 
100 for $7.50 (0.5ltr)
 
No need to remove when you transplant them into your smart pots.
 
100pcs-Non-woven-Fabrics-Plants-Seedling-Bags-Degradable-Breeding-Bag.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I imagine this is similar to the material on the outside of those jiffy soil seed pods, the roots grow right through it but it holds the soil
 
Guatemalan Insanity Pepper said:
^ this.
 
 
 
 
However if you wanted to do an experiment to see if there was a significant difference by providing air pruning to the roots of small seedlings i would go with Airpots rather than fabric grow bags for the experiment.
 
They aren't cheap   https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/THAPPROP
might be able to find a better price or different lot size elsewhere.
 
 
Plenty of people have great success with just a good draining medium (lots of perlite) and a solo cup though.
 
if you decide to experiment with air pruning the roots during the small seedling stage, i would be interested to see your results. 
:)
Click to expand...
 
 
The expensive route may be a season or two down the road, I was just interested in common household ideas for a "similar" concept to the smartpot concept
 
juanitos said:
a quick draining, non compacting medium does a lot more than the pot.
you will eventually transplant out of it in a couple months anyway.
Click to expand...
 
 
Perilite is something I admittedly have been lacking in :confused:
I'll have to swing by a store and get some when I can get a chance
 
I guess if money isn't an issue then give them a try but if you're growing on a larger scale the smart pots can get pretty expensive. I get the cheapest containers I can find and use quality soil. People grow monster plants out of home depot buckets so I think what matters most is the soil and not what you put it in.
 
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