Cut hole in fabric pot?

cannon1

cannon1

Member
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?
 
Last edited:
GreenhouseGreen

GreenhouseGreen

Well-Known Member
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

cannon1

Member
GreenhouseGreen said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.....
 
bam0813

bam0813

Well-Known Member
cannon1 said:
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?
Click to expand...
I think hes a veteran of bs
 
GreenhouseGreen

GreenhouseGreen

Well-Known Member
cannon1 said:
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.....
Click to expand...
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

cannon1

Member
GreenhouseGreen said:
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
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, and for the suggestions...
 
PadawanWarrior

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
cannon1 said:
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?
Click to expand...
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

cannon1

Member
PadawanWarrior said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
G

goofy81

Well-Known Member
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

cannon1

Member
goofy81 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Though these sturdy bags don't have drain holes...
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
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

Danielson999

Well-Known Member
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

cannon1

Member
Danielson999 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Interesting idea, thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top