Smart Pots: Good or Not?

SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
I was reading up on root spin out and the copper paint so I was wondering if anyone had used the smart pot? Could you tell any difference from a plastic pot and are they worth the extra money?

I have 4 ea 2 gal smart pots I am going to try. I know my plants are doing it pretty bad because I killed a male at six weeks and it had roots going round and round the side of the pot already.

 
businessmen

businessmen

Active Member
Can you use bigger plastic pots? Are you in two gallon plastic pots? I have a friend that loves those, and Im thinking about tryin em because theyre short and wide and I have limited vertical space. Thats a big part of why he likes them. I wanna know if you can reuse them. If not then screw that. The company says the roots are air pruned, staying away from the sides because there is air exchange on the sides unlike a plastic pot. But they also say they are good because the roots grow into the fabric of the pots. I guess they claim it encourages different types of roots....
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
I don’t want bigger pots because I grow in a cabinet. I am using 2 gal plastic now and have viewed many grow journals using the same pot with good results. I am thinking of going to 3 gal just so I don’t have to water as often.
The whole idea behind the smart pot or copper hydroxide paint on plastic pots is it prunes the roots creating a more fibrous roots structure which in turn help the plant to be healthier and grow to its full potential and not become root bound growing around the pot.
Check out this very informative article by Uncle Ben (he knows his shit!): https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/9114-spin-out-chemical-root-pruning.html
I am not sure if you reuse them. I suppose you could if you clean them. All the money I have tied up in my hobby another $3 or$4 per plant is no big deal if it helps my plants.
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
No replies??? I guess no one has used them. I have four 2gal and ordered six 3gal so I am going to try them out. Apparently they are reusable.

I found some interesting info on their website for those who are interested.

How do I clean my Smart Pot?
After use dump out the soil and let the bag dry. After a few days of being dry, the dust and small roots will easily brush off. For most people, this is good enough. At this point the Smart Pot folds easily for storage. However, a lot of our customerswill wash the bags in a bleach to sterilize (I have heard lately that many people prefer OxyClean). They use a washing machine or dip the bag in a tub. Do not put the Bags in a dryer.

Why is the Smart Pot better than hard-sided containers?
The Smart Pot aerates and plastic does not. Aeration stops root circling and releases heat, helping your plant build a better root structure. Better roots will give you a better plant.

Why is a root system grown in a Smart Pot more desirable?
Any plant is only as good as its root structure. A fibrous root system is a more efficient one and enables the plant to maximize water and nutrient uptake in the limited surrounding soil mass. Also, a fibrous, highly developed root system roots out quicker and establishes quicker when the plant is transplanted.

How does the Smart Pot work?
Smart Pots are manufactured out of a custom, non-woven, polypropylene material that research discovered has important and unique horticultural applications. As roots grow they soon reach the container walls. In hard sided, plastic containers, these roots immediately start circling and continue to circle. Examine a circling root structure and you find a few large roots growing in circles with very little side branching. These roots often bind or girdled upon themselves. Circling roots can never give optimum growth.
Smart Pots are manufactured out of a tough, porous fabric. When roots reach the side of the Smart Pot, they Air Prune!

What is air pruning?
Air pruning is a natural process occurring when a root comes in contact with the air on the side of the porous Smart Pot wall. The root tip stops growing (pruned) and causes the remaining root to extensively branch. Now, instead of fewer circling roots, the plant develops new lateral roots. New, fibrous roots fill the Smart Pot allowing the plant to maximize uptake of both moisture and nutrients. And when the roots grow well, the plant grows well. Upon comparison, root systems that developed in a Smart Pot have a much greater mass or volume then those found in hard-sided plastic containers. Plants grown in Smart Pots have greater root mass in less soil.
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
Here are my nine babies in their smart pots. They seem to like them. One draw back is there is nothing to tie to for lst...Otherwise I like them so far.

 
Klaat

Klaat

Member
SL2 said:
Here are my nine babies in their smart pots. They seem to like them. One draw back is there is nothing to tie to for lst...Otherwise I like them so far.

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I have 5 gallon smart pots and I love them!:eyesmoke: Nice strain SL2. What you got going on?
 
blahblahblah123

blahblahblah123

Active Member
I use 1 gallon smart pots.. love them. Forces the plant to use ALL available dirt for rooting, all the way up to about an inch from the surface of the soil. When the plant is finished you can pull it out and its a perfect root ball the same shape as the pot.. perfectly filled in.

As the other guy said though the only downside is its very hard to do any LST tie down.. i SOG though, so its not really a problem.
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
oh really??? said:
i use 7 gallon smart pots. They're great. They do dry out faster, but of course.
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7 gal WOW, you growing trees? lol

You got that right. They will dry quick. When I checked mine last night. They were a little lite but looked good. I thought they could wait till this morning to be watered.

I open the door this morning and they were all laid over! :wall:

They perked right back up after watering. :lol:

I check them Twice a day!!!! :hump:
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
blahblahblah123 said:
I use 1 gallon smart pots.. love them. Forces the plant to use ALL available dirt for rooting, all the way up to about an inch from the surface of the soil. When the plant is finished you can pull it out and its a perfect root ball the same shape as the pot.. perfectly filled in.

As the other guy said though the only downside is its very hard to do any LST tie down.. i SOG though, so its not really a problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the all the input. Where were you guys two months ago? :lol:

:joint::bigjoint:
 
blahblahblah123

blahblahblah123

Active Member
They do dry out faster, but i switched to happy frog soil which retains water longer than the ocean forest i had and its worked out pretty good.. plus it makes me feel good using organic :weed:
 
pompel

pompel

Member
How much more water do they use? Do you have to water more often, or more at every watering? Sorry for small brain, new to soil (defected from hydro), growing in plastic now, but this sounds interesting!
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
blahblahblah123 said:
They do dry out faster, but i switched to happy frog soil which retains water longer than the ocean forest i had and its worked out pretty good.. plus it makes me feel good using organic :weed:
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I like OF but I may need to check out HF. May try a combo of each and add in some LW.

pompel said:
How much more water do they use? Do you have to water more often, or more at every watering? Sorry for small brain, new to soil (defected from hydro), growing in plastic now, but this sounds interesting!
Click to expand...
I give them 40 to 48 oz every other day in 2 gal sp. When they get big in flower I may have to water everyday. Man I hope not....
 
blahblahblah123

blahblahblah123

Active Member
In full flower (week 6) with the 1 gallon pots, i water with just over 1 liter every 3 days or so.. just barely runs out the bottom. I allow my plants to almost completely dry out between waterings. I'm currently using 4 parts HF to 1 part perlite.. im prolly going to buy some more OF and do a mix of both, should be perfect.

I'm a 12/12 from seed operation and my girls still completely fill the pots, all except the top inch or so.. when i break up the root ball at the end its just a solid mass you have to literally TEAR apart. I have limited space for large pots, so i wanted them to use ALL of the soil they are given. I love new innovations.. first read about these on the 10,000 watt grow thread. Think they are using like 15 gallon ones? Great idea :weed:
 
SL2

SL2

Well-Known Member
Here 8 of the nine in the previous pic. The LACxS was male my only regular seed.

All three weeks flower today and they are in 2 gal sp.

The "Great 8" well some of them...

enjoy...

Blueberry




Kushberry


LSD


Red Dragon




Sharksbreath

 
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