Fabric pots and root stability

[Nefrella]

I've noticed that the plastic pots I'm using aren't drying out as well as I'd like, working on transitioning to fabric pots.

My concern is moving the plants when they're young, as the fabric pots don't provide much in the way of keeping the dirt stationary.

The plant shown here is a Do-si-do (00 seeds). Planted 4/6. There was some overwatering going on (still learning) but it seems that this plant is horribly stunted.

FFOF/ Big Rootz blend (both 6.5 ph) trying to use up some soil. 84 deg amvient, 60 rh, 24 hr lights.

Anyway, transplanted to a fabric pot, hopefully will help kick start this girl.

Any suggestions on wtf im doing wrong? Lol.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Some people start in small fabric pots and transplant to larger ones. I personally think that is a pain, because you don't get the same type of root ball in fabric that you do in plastic, so I start in plastic pots and then they go in fabric for their final pot.

 

[spek9]

Some people start in small fabric pots and transplant to larger ones. I personally think that is a pain, because you don't get the same type of root ball in fabric that you do in plastic, so I start in plastic pots and then they go in fabric for their final pot.

Pardon my ignorance (I've never researched it before, and I've never used them), but could you explain the benefits (and negatives) of using fabric pots?

Is it just for transpiration/air exchange purposes?

 

[Nefrella]

Pardon my ignorance (I've never researched it before, and I've never used them), but could you explain the benefits (and negatives) of using fabric pots?

Is it just for transpiration/air exchange purposes?

Yes, please explain the benefit to us.

My guy at the local hydro store swears by fabric, so do my friends growing on a larger scale.

As I understand, the fabric helps the medium dry out faster, promoting healthier roots (ie. less chance to drown the roots).

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Pardon my ignorance (I've never researched it before, and I've never used them), but could you explain the benefits (and negatives) of using fabric pots?

Is it just for transpiration/air exchange purposes?

They help oxygenate the roots, and they also help prevent the plants from becoming root bound, because the fabric causes the roots to be air pruned. They suck to transplant out of, though. Some people just cut them, to get the plants out, but I reuse my fabric pots.

 

[Nefrella]

They help oxygenate the roots, and they also help prevent the plants from becoming root bound, because the fabric causes the roots to be air pruned. They suck to transplant out of, though. Some people just cut them, to get the plants out, but I reuse my fabric pots.

I plan on reusing mine too, just part of the work.

 

[downhill21]

They help oxygenate the roots, and they also help prevent the plants from becoming root bound, because the fabric causes the roots to be air pruned. They suck to transplant out of, though. Some people just cut them, to get the plants out, but I reuse my fabric pots.

I get better root balls with fabric pots, and healthier plants. I don’t run big numbers, so my feedback shouldn’t carry the weight of someone who does. That said, I prefer fabric, & I too wash n reuse them. Some people have luck peeling the fabric back. I only use fabric for final pot, so I don’t need to fuck with it til I chop, & then I don’t care what happens to the roots.

 

[cannabineer]

Pardon my ignorance (I've never researched it before, and I've never used them), but could you explain the benefits (and negatives) of using fabric pots?

Is it just for transpiration/air exchange purposes?

I’ve noticed one downside.
When i moved a plant in a fabric pot, it would deform the soil/medium and create channels. When I watered, the soil wouldn’t retain the liquid. Most would drain, leaving a largely dry soil.
Plastic pots are stiff enough that this happens less often and less severely.

 

[Nefrella]

I’ve noticed one downside.
When i moved a plant in a fabric pot, it would deform the soil/medium and create channels. When I watered, the soil wouldn’t retain the liquid. Most would drain, leaving a largely dry soil.
Plastic pots are stiff enough that this happens less often and less severely.

That is my primary concern, and why I have (up until now) not used or considered fabric.

Decided to try a comparison and go from there.

I like the idea of more oxygenated roots.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

When I watered, the soil wouldn’t retain the liquid. Most would drain, leaving a largely dry soil.

This is usually caused by letting the soil get too dry. I've had this happen in plastic pots, too. If you want the fabric pots to hold the moisture longer then a mulch layer will do that.

 

[tyke1973]

I like fabric pots for veg ,but I have found indoors the effect humidity,So i ditch em during flower. Love em for outdoors though ,I just cut bottom out and sink pot ,once I know its a safe location

 

[cannabineer]

This is usually caused by letting the soil get too dry. I've had this happen in plastic pots, too. If you want the fabric pots to hold the moisture longer then a mulch layer will do that.

In my case, the mechanical flexure of the fabric (I needed to lift and shift my girls 2x/day) was the issue. I didn’t have it in a plastic pot.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

In my case, the mechanical flexure of the fabric (I needed to lift and shift my girls 2x/day) was the issue. I didn’t have it in a plastic pot.

Yeah, that can definitely be more problematic with fabric pots. The best way to not deform them is to put them on raised drip trays, and lift them by the tray, or just lift them very carefully by the handles straight up. It's definitely an issue you don't have to worry about with plastic pots, though.

 

[spek9]

I’ve noticed one downside.
When i moved a plant in a fabric pot, it would deform the soil/medium and create channels. When I watered, the soil wouldn’t retain the liquid. Most would drain, leaving a largely dry soil.
Plastic pots are stiff enough that this happens less often and less severely.

That's a good observation. Thanks.

I've only used plastic (or in some cases, ceramic). I don't plan on changing to fabric, I just thought it would be beneficial for everyone (including me) to have an idea of the benefits and drawbacks to fabric.

 

[spek9]

In my case, the mechanical flexure of the fabric (I needed to lift and shift my girls 2x/day) was the issue. I didn’t have it in a plastic pot.

I dwindled down to a boatload of small plants in my spaces to just a few large plants per tent. One of the reasons is that I like to have the space to spin and move my plants around the floor space.

 

[Boatguy]

That's a good observation. Thanks.

I've only used plastic (or in some cases, ceramic). I don't plan on changing to fabric, I just thought it would be beneficial for everyone (including me) to have an idea of the benefits and drawbacks to fabric.

I do like how the roots dont spiral in the fabric pots.
The main downsides are the amount of water lost through the sides when watering, and how fast they dry out. They literally go bone dry fairly quickly because they are drying out everywhere, not just the top.
I only use them as a final pot, and they never seem as affected by being rootbound as my plants in plastic. Basically the only reason i keep using them.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

The main downsides are the amount of water lost through the sides when watering...

I see people say this a lot, so I know it’s a real issue, but it can be avoided. I’ve found that if you water half way between the center of the pot and the outer edge, and then slowly work your way out to the outer edge, then you won’t have this problem because the soil further in will wick it into the pot before it has a change to go out the sides. All my runoff goes out the bottom of my fabric pots.

 

[Boatguy]

I see people say this a lot, so I know it’s a real issue, but it can be avoided. I’ve found that if you water half way between the center of the pot and the outer edge, and then slowly work your way out to the outer edge, then you won’t have this problem because the soil further in will wick it into the pot before it has a change to go out the sides. All my runoff goes out the bottom of my fabric pots.

Sure, it can work like that.
I keep the soil high, like a moat, on the edges. It helps, but still requires multiple waterings with a waiting period in between.
Dont get me wrong, i love my fabric pots. They are just alittle different than plastic

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Sure, it can work like that.
I keep the soil high, like a moat, on the edges. It helps, but still requires multiple waterings with a waiting period in between.
Dont get me wrong, i love my fabric pots. They are just alittle different than plastic

Totally agree. Even when I give each plant more than a gallon I only give them each 2 liters at a time. By the time I get to the 4th plant the 1st is ready for more.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

BTW, I should also say that I recently put in a blumat system and it’s been amazing. I haven’t had to manually water since I put it in and it’s interesting to see how much they actually go through each day.