Airpots or Similar- A Good Idea With Super Soil?

Seems like airpots and the similar bags are popular with some growers. I was going to use a 7 gallon pail and cut drain holes. I need the narrow 12" diameter to fit three across in my micro-grow room, so I can't use the slightly wider #10 7 gallon nursery pots.

So while contemplating the cutting of drain holes, I wondered if cutting holes in the side would ofer anything other than a mess.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Try smart pots

T

Thanks, but as I said, I am width limited. Need a 12" diameter pail.

holes in your container will help immensely.
holes in the side let air exchange throughout the roots.
http://www.hobbes-l.tc/uploads/equipment_-_pdf.pdf


click on the link and scroll/read until you find "Root Pruning Pots"

it sounds like you only have room for 1 10 gallon pot. y r u squeezing 3 plants in such a small space?

kushking42 said:

it sounds like you only have room for 1 10 gallon pot. y r u squeezing 3 plants in such a small space?

Click to expand...

so you dont have to veg for a silly amount of time to fill the space with 1 plant.

Wow Clam, that's exactly what I had in mind!. Maybe I'll give that a try. Thanks so much!

EDIT: This makes a lot of sense. Air to soil seems good for many reasons. I wonder if the outer pail is really necessary, though. Keeps things tidy, but cuts air flow. If I had enough posts I'd PM Hobbes and ask him about the outer pail

kushking42 said:

it sounds like you only have room for 1 10 gallon pot. y r u squeezing 3 plants in such a small space?

Click to expand...

It's worked well in the past with SCROG. 600W HPS Blue Hort for three plants.

I've seen where some have an airstone(s) in a botom water layer with lava rock. Percolates moist air upwards. Not an air pruning at all, but interesting.

I use smart pots with my new super soil due to the lack of perlite i use in my regular mix.

Working out OK I assume?

I used Smart Pots for one run and didn't see much of a difference to be honest. I've heard they are really good when using straight coco coir though.

smart pots are great if you use watering trays under your pot because you cant drown your roots with them. If you submerge your plastic pots under water for too long, your plants will droop and possibly drown. smart pots are like big sponges if you will. I love em but they suck for staking up. my only complaint

I'm going to aerate 7 gal pails per Hobbes' method. I won't be able to accomodate the outer pail, so I will need to have a tray (set up 2" to allow air). This makes for potentially messier room but if air is the goal, the removal of the outer pail seems reasonable. Now I just need to work out a self watering system from a central bubbler res. Just aerated water (RO then CalMag added back) with some Lacto-b and molasses to feed the Lacto.