August 06, 2020
Which growing container works best for indoor plants? What is it that makes some containers better than others?
The answers are contained in the roots of your indoor plants. The idea behind choosing the right container is to pick one that is going to provide the best possible environment for your indoor plants roots. Your roots are like the “heart” of your of your indoor plants. They need to be healthy for your plant to get nutrients and grow. Now let us take a look at the various types of growing containers available along with their differences.
Plastic Pots
You can get plastic pots pretty much everywhere for little money. Aside from the above-mentioned considerations of size, there is not much to finding a plastic pot for your indoor plants.
If you’re growing indoor plants in your indoor grow tent, you may want to opt for rectangular pots and not the standard round ones. Although the latter are absolutely fine, rectangular pots allow you to make much better use of your available grow space. Some rectangular planters for growing indoor plants are particularly deep. These are well-suited to maximising the growth of individual specimens, as the roots can expand deeper and the plants can get larger.
One consideration when you’re growing outdoors: Choose white pots, as these don’t retain as much heat as black or grey containers.
Fabric (Smart)Pots
Fabric grow pots and smart grow pots are one and the same. Their purpose is to ensure that plants do not become root-bound. Instead of growing in cycles as growers usually do with standard closed pots, fabric pots air prune all the roots once they reach the container’s sides. Because of this, the roots can grow without any hindrance, in turn improving plant growth. Fabric-growing bags or pots also have another advantage – they make sure you do not overwater your indoor plants by a single drop.
Air Pots
Air grow pots make use of the same principles as the above mentioned “smart” pots. These are plastic containers with openings on the side, that provide automated “air-pruning” for the roots of your indoor plants. Like smart pots, you will have to water more often, since these pots can dry out faster as compared to standard pots. Compared to fabric pots and grow bags, air pots have the advantage, that they are sturdier and won’t likely tip over. Since air pots are also leaking water from the openings at the side, you may want to set them above properly sized saucers.
Hempy Buckets
Hempy buckets are just simple buckets that contain a hole on both sides. These buckets are filled inside with coconut coir soil and perlite. The bucket works as a passive watering setup by retaining a decent amount of water in the section that contains pure perlite. The reason why hempy buckets use perlite is because of their light weight and perfect water drainage abilities. Essentially, it tricks the plant into thinking that it has a natural pocket of water.
How To Determine The Right Pot Size
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing containers for your indoor plants is their size. Indoor plants grows particularly long roots that need ample room to really flourish. If you grow indoor plants in a container that is too small, it can cause your plants to become root-bound, leading to stunted growth.
In a typical indoor plants grow-op, suitable container sizes vary between 4 and 14 litres. The exact size you choose will depend on the strain you are growing (the bigger the plant is, the more room it needs) and also your available space.
A pot that is too small will negatively affect your plant’s growth and ultimately your yields. But a planter that is too big won’t really have a benefit unless your plant has the potential to fill it.
What is important is that the roots of your indoor plants never run out of room. As a rule of thumb, it is best to choose the biggest containers you can practically fit in your grow area. That way, you never have to worry about your indoor plants becoming root-bound.
Final thoughts
Selecting a pot is a decision that most experienced growers base on maintenance. Some containers need less maintenance, as you do not need to water them often. Other containers may require frequent maintenance, and you may need to water or monitor them regularly. It all comes down to how much time you can dedicate to the container on a daily basis.
August 19, 2020
August 19, 2020