Airpots or Similar- A Good Idea With Super Soil?

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #1

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.

 

TCurtiss

Well-Known Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #2

Try smart pots

T

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #3

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

 

ClamDigger

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #4

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"

 

kushking42

Well-Known Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #5

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

 

ClamDigger

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #6

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.

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #7

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

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #8

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.

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #9

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.

 

myfather

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #10

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

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #11

Working out OK I assume?

 

J

jtrbushes

Active Member

• Jul 20, 2011

• #12

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.

 

myfather

Active Member

• Jul 21, 2011

• #13

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

 

T

TJames

Active Member

• Jul 22, 2011

• #14

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.