Pot types? Smart or Regular.

[1lildog]

I hate my smart pots. Mold on bottoms and about 3" up, not solid enough ( I've had them almost fall over), pain to water, harder to clean, and don't last long + I think that they are expensive. I prefer the pots THG recommended; hmhsupply.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=273

 

[Roddy]

Mold on bottom and 3" up?

 

[Locked]

I hate my smart pots. Mold on bottoms and about 3" up, not solid enough ( I've had them almost fall over), pain to water, harder to clean, and don't last long + I think that they are expensive. I prefer the pots THG recommended; hmhsupply.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=273

Sounds like they were sitting in standing water....? Never hve had any of those problems with my Smart Pots.

 

[juniorgrower]

Nope me either, never had any mold issues.

 

[The Silver Bullet Special]

That square pot would fit my little scrog setup I just built a little better than a smart pot would. I just got back from the hydro store to get a start on soil ingredients and they're smart pots were crazy expensive about $6 one 3 gallon size. Might just have to wait on the smart pots for a little while and use those square ones till I can get my rooms dialed in good.

With the mold on your pots I would think that there could still be a mold problem in the bottom of your soil regardless of pot type, not sure if thats correct or not.

 

[1lildog]

I've used the 5 and 10 gallon pots 3 grows. Never had the mold problem with regular pots and see no evidence the plants like them better. I think they are very cumbersome with large plants since they are not rigid, sometimes they lean. 1st time I used them I had no mold. 2nd and 3rd time, plenty of mold. No standing water, dried out very good in between waterings, 2" of perlite on bottom (might be the problem), 1 fan on the bags at all times (not in a basement). I eventually got 2 air-cond-humidifier's running and it helped a little. Humidity ran in the 60's vs 40's recently. I'm sure it's just me, but they are not for me, I've paid the price. I LOVE the 9-12" square pots THG recommended. Very sturdy and reasonably priced.

 

[The Silver Bullet Special]

If I remember right Hamster has a thread comparing them side by side and the smart pots looked fuller and more lush but here another question. what about those weird lookin air pot things they look like they'd need a ton of water.

I'm going to be using NV's soil mix so I dont have to worry about feeding (unless the soil runs out of nutes) just watering. I'm also going to be scroging my plants so I really have no idea how well the smart pots will hold up unless I made a frame out of PVC to keep the bags upright.

 

[Red eyed gardener]

Sounds like growing in a giant jiffy chip.I havent grown in them.Where does the water drain out.Does it run through the bottem when you water or does it come out the sides on them things or what.Sounds like your holding some moisture down there for some reason.

 

[pcduck]

I've used the 5 and 10 gallon pots 3 grows. Never had the mold problem with regular pots and see no evidence the plants like them better. I think they are very cumbersome with large plants since they are not rigid, sometimes they lean. 1st time I used them I had no mold. 2nd and 3rd time, plenty of mold. No standing water, dried out very good in between waterings, 2" of perlite on bottom (might be the problem), 1 fan on the bags at all times (not in a basement). I eventually got 2 air-cond-humidifier's running and it helped a little. Humidity ran in the 60's vs 40's recently. I'm sure it's just me, but they are not for me, I've paid the price. I LOVE the 9-12" square pots THG recommended. Very sturdy and reasonably priced.

I can't imagine your problem being mold. I see it more as a bunch of dead microbes if organic or salt if growing non-organic. My smart pots dry out way to much to be mold.

If they are cumbersome and leaning I would place more soil in them and pack it down more. Plus the new one now have handles

 

[Locked]

I can't imagine your problem being mold. I see it more as a bunch of dead microbes if organic or salt if growing non-organic. My smart pots dry out way to much to be mold.

If they are cumbersome and leaning I would place more soil in them and pack it down more. Plus the new one now have handles

:yeahthat:

If you are talking about the stains on the pots, that ain't mold. Like pc said it's dried salts if you are not organic. Also Silver Bullet Special is right...I did a side by side and the Smart Pot plants were bigger and fuller.

 

[1lildog]

Organic and a Microbe Brew. I tried to get pictures but it's not there now. How much bigger and fuller? I didn't notice a difference in mine, but I didn't do a side by side comparison. REG, water runs out the bottom mainly and the sides a little depending on the composition and the speed it's watered.

 

[Roddy]

I can't imagine your problem being mold. I see it more as a bunch of dead microbes if organic or salt if growing non-organic. My smart pots dry out way to much to be mold.

If they are cumbersome and leaning I would place more soil in them and pack it down more. Plus the new one now have handles

:yeahthat: :goodposting: all around.

 

[linzwa]

Please tell me what the upside of smart pots are? Are they popular because it cuts down on the watering?

 

[kaotik]

doesn't cut down on watering (if anything, you need water more)
popular for the aeration they allow to the root system.. makes for a much happier root system. not like plastic where the roots go round and round the pot.

 

[Rosebud]

Please tell me what the upside of smart pots are? Are they popular because it cuts down on the watering?

It is all about the roots. In smart pots the roots are "air pruned" so they never circle. The roots are mostly the feeder small roots.

Keep a saucer under them and they will suck up most of the run off. They produce better root structure then in plastic.

 

[Locked]

Please tell me what the upside of smart pots are? Are they popular because it cuts down on the watering?

Yeah, healthier root system equals healthier plants equals better yields. I have a plant in flower right now in a one gallon smart pot with maybe a half gallon worth of soil. Plant is happy and healthy and will yield well regardless. They do require more watering but do like Rose suggested and it can help cut down on watering a bit. Jmo

 

[linzwa]

Thank you for all the replies, alot of good information on the subject. I may just give it a try.

 

[lindseyj]

Growing herbs in pots is not any harder than growing them straight in the garden. Just like most other plants, when growing herbs in pots, ensure that they have an adequate amount of sunlight.