Cut hole in fabric pot?

[cannon1]

A veteran grower I know warned me that if I don't cut a hole in the bottom of the 65 gal pot I'm using to allow root expansion, one of my clones that is really doing well could stop growing if the roots 'sense' there's no more room for to expand. What do you guys think, valid action?

 

[Hydrahail]

Lol tell him that's bro science, root go Through the fabric into the ground

 

[cannon1]

Lol tell him that's bro science, root go Through the fabric into the ground

Thanks for the reply. Is that true, the roots will go through the fabric anyway if they need to?

 

[HydoDan]

Roots do not possess any 'senses' I'm aware of.. Yes, they will grow thru a fabric bag..

 

[cannon1]

Roots do not possess any 'senses' I'm aware of.. Yes, they will grow thru a fabric bag..

Thank you!

 

[GreenhouseGreen]

I have roots grow through my fabric pots, through my weed barrier, and into the native soil underneath. I also remember seeing pictures of people who pot up from smaller fabric pots to larger ones by simply burying the smaller fabric pot in the bigger one with the plant still in it. Without air pruning the roots, they'll grow.

 

[cannon1]

I have roots grow through my fabric pots, through my weed barrier, and into the native soil underneath. I also remember seeing pictures of people who pot up from smaller fabric pots to larger ones by simply burying the smaller fabric pot in the bigger one with the plant still in it. Without air pruning the roots, they'll grow.

Excellent to know, thanks. This guy has grown for 50 years but it shows there is always something to learn. But he also said gophers are not an issue for Cannabis.....

 

[HydoDan]

Excellent to know, thanks. This guy has grown for 50 years but it shows there is always something to learn. But he also said gophers are not an issue for Cannabis.....

In his defense, We didn't have grow bags back then!! I started in '68

 

[bam0813]

A veteran grower I know warned me that if I don't cut a hole in the bottom of the 65 gal pot I'm using to allow root expansion, one of my clones that is really doing well could stop growing if the roots 'sense' there's no more room for to expand. What do you guys think, valid action?

I think hes a veteran of bs

 

[cannon1]

I think hes a veteran of bs

Gotta take some things suggested with a grain of salt, or at least try and verify...thanks for your help guys...

 

[GreenhouseGreen]

Excellent to know, thanks. This guy has grown for 50 years but it shows there is always something to learn. But he also said gophers are not an issue for Cannabis.....

I wouldn't doubt that piece of advice was based off something misunderstood. I know grow bags, fabric pots, Smartpots, and Roots Pouches are used somewhat interchangeably sometimes. However, he may be thinking of the plastic grow bags or something like these except maybe they used to come without holes. I don't know. I wouldn't use these couple bits of bad advice steer me away from taking further bits, personally. Just double check everything, if you can.

I have grey Root Pouches and on their site they tell you with ones can be used in-ground as well as above ground. rootpouch.com

 

[cannon1]

I wouldn't doubt that piece of advice was based off something misunderstood. I know grow bags, fabric pots, Smartpots, and Roots Pouches are used somewhat interchangeably sometimes. However, he may be thinking of the plastic grow bags or something like these except maybe they used to come without holes. I don't know. I wouldn't use these couple bits of bad advice steer me away from taking further bits, personally. Just double check everything, if you can.

I have grey Root Pouches and on their site they tell you with ones can be used in-ground as well as above ground. rootpouch.com

Thanks for that, and for the suggestions...

 

[PadawanWarrior]

A veteran grower I know warned me that if I don't cut a hole in the bottom of the 65 gal pot I'm using to allow root expansion, one of my clones that is really doing well could stop growing if the roots 'sense' there's no more room for to expand. What do you guys think, valid action?

Makes sense to me. No you don't need to. But it only seems logical that roots can grow easier without having to go through a fabric pot. Some fabric is tougher than others too. Just my thoughts.

Someone should try it with a couple fabric pots this summer. I would be interested.

 

[cannon1]

Makes sense to me. No you don't need to. But it only seems logical that roots can grow easier without having to go through a fabric pot. Some fabric is tougher than others too. Just my thoughts.

Someone should try it with a couple fabric pots this summer. I would be interested.

Thanks! I assumed 'fabric pot' and 'smart pot' type grow bag are the same to most here, because that's what I have or one of the knockoffs on Amazon actually.

 

[goofy81]

I grow many types of plants not just c.. and I've found allowing the roots to grow out of the drain holes into the ground (soil) is quite beneificial. Also if i ever need to move the pot then i can just cut it without harming the plant too.

 

[cannon1]

I grow many types of plants not just c.. and I've found allowing the roots to grow out of the drain holes into the ground (soil) is quite beneificial. Also if i ever need to move the pot then i can just cut it without harming the plant too.

Though these sturdy bags don't have drain holes...

 

[goofy81]

Though these sturdy bags don't have drain holes...

You can make holes for it to root down easier? or just leave it and hope the roots are tough.

 

[xtsho]

Roots will grow through the fabric pot and into the ground. If the pots are raised up off the ground then the roots wil air prune.

You do not need to cut a hole in the bottom of fabric pots. A veteran grower should know that.

 

[Danielson999]

I learned that cutting out the bottom of my fabric pots was a great idea. It allows me to put plants in beds that aren't overly deep by having the sides of the fabric pot allow me to raise the soil level. The roots grow through the fabric which pretty much ruins the bottom of the fabric pot anyway if you're reusing them. The roots also take much longer to get through the fabric. I've always had larger root mass using fabric pots with the entire bottom cut out.
I guess it depends on what you're shooting for. I re-use my fabric pots outside and all of them now have the bottom cut out. If my beds were deep enough I wouldn't use a pot at all but this allows me to build the soil depth up and gives me the best results. I've grown both ways and always had better results by cutting out the bottom.

 

[cannon1]

I learned that cutting out the bottom of my fabric pots was a great idea. It allows me to put plants in beds that aren't overly deep by having the sides of the fabric pot allow me to raise the soil level. The roots grow through the fabric which pretty much ruins the bottom of the fabric pot anyway if you're reusing them. The roots also take much longer to get through the fabric. I've always had larger root mass using fabric pots with the entire bottom cut out.
I guess it depends on what you're shooting for. I re-use my fabric pots outside and all of them now have the bottom cut out. If my beds were deep enough I wouldn't use a pot at all but this allows me to build the soil depth up and gives me the best results. I've grown both ways and always had better results by cutting out the bottom.

Interesting idea, thanks!