Do I have to use black pots?

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agap015

New Member
Hi all

I am using 1 gallon ice cream buckets for pots. I have read that roots don't like light. Should I cover the outside of the buckets with black material to stop the light. I can see the roots through the sides of the buckets.

I am using 18 100 watt Daylight CFL bulbs on top of a 20" x 48" area.

Thanks

G
 
mikek420

mikek420

Well-Known Member
you could do that, or get a coloured container next time. too much light is not good for roots, you could use canvas, like a coffee bag, it breaths easily. You might not have problems, but you might have problems, so I would definately get something to cover them
 
Twizzlor

Twizzlor

Active Member
Couldn't you just paint the buckets what ever color you wanted to? Maybe white would still allow light through but I'm not entirely sure. Also if you could do that it would probably be best to use a paintbrush and not spray paint, it might affect your plant. Is it 18 100 watt equivalent CFL's, does it say uses 23 watts but is equal to 100 watt incandescent? That's about the size of my area how tall is your room? I'm assuming it is 20 inches deep by 48 inches wide?
 
A

agap015

New Member
Hi
My room is 7 foot tall and about 6 x 8 feet. Different areas are for different stages. The 20 x 48 area is for vegging 8 plants.

I think I will cover the pots with black duct tape.

The bulbs are 23 watt / 100 watt equiv.

G
 
Twizzlor

Twizzlor

Active Member
Ya black duct tape will be perfect :) I didn't even think of that good idea. The 18 bulbs don't make the area to hot? I only have 8 of the same bulbs for 1 plant going and it gets pretty warm in there.
 
loquacious

loquacious

Well-Known Member
agap015 said:
Hi all

I am using 1 gallon ice cream buckets for pots. I have read that roots don't like light. Should I cover the outside of the buckets with black material to stop the light. I can see the roots through the sides of the buckets.

I am using 18 100 watt Daylight CFL bulbs on top of a 20" x 48" area.

Thanks

G
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Quit being so damn cheap! Pots are dirt cheap and there is no point in not using them.
 
topfuel29

topfuel29

Well-Known Member
Light doesnt kill roots but it can promote mold growth in the soil and in hydro set ups it can promote algae growth just like in an aquarium.
You can use some dark colored tape and tape up the sides, Good idea who ever said it.
 
A

agap015

New Member
Twizzlor

I have a temperature controlled fan on the room. Fall/winter is on the way and my basement could use the heat then, in fact I hope I don't need a heater then.

G
 
Sand4x105

Sand4x105

Well-Known Member
Hey all....
Cover them with any material to block the light from passing through.
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Never use clear containers for your plants.
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spray or paint them.
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light on roots = bad; mmkay?
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So you guys that wrote this /\ above, is this from ’real life’ experience or is this something you have heard, and are “parroting“?


Because I have found what you are saying to be complete bull sheiot…

No fungus, no root rot, no damage to my roots at all, just a beautiful few plants I have grown…


I have found no ill effects to using clear buckets/bottles etc…I’ve used Pepsi bottles, and Snapple bottles cut , and mega drain holes… medium must drain, and my clear containers have more drain holes than a ‘bought’ black pot holder…

Now, the only thing is, I grow 6-8 week plants before I throw switch to 12/12...

Now, if I was growing a bigger plant I’d up size pot …

Just saying, real world findings, by me, beautiful plant can be grown out of a Snapple bottle, just as nice as a ‘black’ nursery pot of same soil size, and date, same side by side grow, epic myth busted….

I was/am waiting for a problem to happen, and all I got were beautiful plants !!!

Good Luck!
 
robro

robro

Active Member
Theres a reason why you cant buy clear pots at a garden centre.Its not natural for roots to grow in the light.
I appreciate your experimentation though,and good luck to ya.
 
iblazetoomuch

iblazetoomuch

Active Member
Sand4x105 said:
Hey all....











So you guys that wrote this /\ above, is this from ’real life’ experience or is this something you have heard, and are “parroting“?


Because I have found what you are saying to be complete bull sheiot…

No fungus, no root rot, no damage to my roots at all, just a beautiful few plants I have grown…


I have found no ill effects to using clear buckets/bottles etc…I’ve used Pepsi bottles, and Snapple bottles cut , and mega drain holes… medium must drain, and my clear containers have more drain holes than a ‘bought’ black pot holder…

Now, the only thing is, I grow 6-8 week plants before I throw switch to 12/12...

Now, if I was growing a bigger plant I’d up size pot …

Just saying, real world findings, by me, beautiful plant can be grown out of a Snapple bottle, just as nice as a ‘black’ nursery pot of same soil size, and date, same side by side grow, epic myth busted….

I was/am waiting for a problem to happen, and all I got were beautiful plants !!!

Good Luck!
Click to expand...



In nature light is not abundant in the soil, so its probably human nature to attempt to mimic what it thinks nature may have intended. I noticed the roots turn green when exposed to light enough, but I dont use complete darkness for flowering either I just have blankets hanging up with my incadescent room light on so I don't really care too much personally. I don't think the aforementioned mold/algae problem was over-estimated either, while you may have carried out crude growing experiences and indeed got similar results in yield and plant health for your grows, it doesn't necessarily mean there is no increased chance of plant problems, mold or other problems in soil ect.

I think I would get similar results with the containers if I did side by side of one dark and one clear, but "realworld" tests are not controlled environments and not really accurate at determining much given the outstanding number of dynamic variables in the average grow environment.

I wouldn't call it parroting unless I was trying to promote something that goes against what I interpret nature has intended for a average environment of a cannabis plant (roots not exposed to light much).
 
B

bigsteve

Well-Known Member
I had the same question when I started using some semi-clear 7-inch berry pots for seedlings. I either painted the outside black, or, just used 2 pots nested together. Works Works 4 me, BigSteve.
 
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