Air pots, again..

[Victorim]

Hi,

Am quickly considering before any growing momentum of this season in repoting to i suppose what would be air pruning style pots...

have read a lot! and lot is from posts from the guys below.

Would love to get the quick rundown from the heavy weights,(and anyone else ofcorse)latest consequence on this.... but also considering UK climates.

sorry to poke but:
@markyscott @sorce @Vance Wood @Smoke @Anthony @jeremy_norbury

 

[miker]

I just purchased a few of these (less than aesthetically pleasing, though highly functional) pots. This growing season should give me an excellent idea of just how well they do.

 

[Underdog]

I just picked a couple pond baskets. I have a Holley doing well in a cut down milk crate lined in screen. I have a lil Jap Maple doing well in a small vented one too.

 

[sorce]

considering UK climates.

If Conordash's maple really did stay wet that long, I would guess they would be very useful for training in your raining!

Soil type must be considered.
I use DE sifted at 2mm.
I think the tight structure of the DE encourages feeder roots more than other soil to begin with.

Also, my bottoms are solid, which makes them act different.

Types of "General word?" for these should be considered as well.

I can't stand Colanders themselves, unless they are very porous and uniform.

I like the True Air pots because of the funnel shapes that gather the roots.
But dislike the height.

They call rootmaker bags good.

But I chose the material I did
To last forever!

And because there are no
"Walls" to keep any roots from
Reaching air and dying.

More......

 

[aml1014]

I've used the bags before with good success for air pruning. I did notice growth rate was slower then trees in boxes or nursery pots, but the root system was PACKED!!! I think they are good to get trees into bonsai pots.

Aaron

 

[Soldano666]

Got 48, 9x9x5 pond baskets on Amazon. I'll let you know after this year. I've read nothing but good about them so we'll see

 

[miker]

The air pots I am using are assembly required and look like something aboard a klingon spacecraft.

 

[sorce]

I think yearly (deciduous) root pruning is still vital during repot.

This last season I went without repotting to get better growth, but it backfired.
Everything grew poorly.

I've found them to provide very tight feeder root pads, with very little giant fattening of close surface roots, which is preferable to keep the Nebari in scale with the rest of the tree.
I believe the effects of this can be controlled simply by making a wider colander, which is also why I like to not be limited to "stock" sizes.

I got mad other outlandish "tricks" that you can do with colanders.

For instance, if you have a weak side of Nebari, you can allow just that side to escape into more soil, or the ground, and monitor it from above, so you can remove it and cut those roots back to the wall before they go to far.

I consider them a tool for the roots.

We just have to uncover the near limitless ways we can utilize the benefits and control that they offer us.

Sorce

 

[Victorim]

I did notice growth rate was slower then trees in boxes or nursery pots

Is this the general conciseness? Slower growth overall?

 

[Victorim]

guess they would be very useful for training in your raining!

Lol`ed a good while at this bit

 

[sorce]

Is this the general conciseness? Slower growth overall?

I have only noted slower growth after not repotting.

The previous year, with root pruning and GardenTone organic fert mixed in, I got the best growth ever.

Relatively same summer weather and season length. Same previous winter too for that matter.

Personally, the best growth I've ever witnessed in 6 years was in a tiny basket.

Sorce

 

[Victorim]

Sort of thing I`m looking to implement :

 

[Anthony]

What are you trying to do ?

[a]
Expand trunks --------- ground growing
Only a few trees expand trunks in grow boxes, air pots, colanders, pond baskets etc.
On our side the extreme example is --------- ficus.

[b ] Refine your branches / branchlets -------------- grow boxes and all of the above allow for that.

The air pot has the potential to give you many more feeder roots, as will the colander/pond basket.
More feeders can mean more branchlet refinement.

With ground growing the focus is radial roots, if the tree . shrub has them in nature - observation,
a fatter trunk and the first 6 branches.
Additionally using a colander and a tile will enhance your situation.

Grow in colander until you know the tree has mastered the soil, then shift to ground growing.
On the tile, drill holes, tie with twine, better to decay the organic thread, than have a wire cut
into your root.
Check for runaway root thickening -------- cut or other.
To observe just brush away the top of the soil.

Take notes and experiment on expendables, not the mother plant please.
Best of growing.
Good Day
Anthony

* Please don't use the human stand shown in the image, she will need to go to the bathroom from time to time,
and obviously sleep.

 

[Victorim]

* Please don't use the human stand shown in the image, she will need to go to the bathroom from time to time,
and obviously sleep.

There is 3 stands, they can take shifts

Ground growing is not an option. Small garden ect.. have you noted better growth compared to standard potting?

 

[sorce]

That little scroll down to see those eyes was a joy!

And the little Avatar guy is the cutest!

Cheers Victorim!

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

Victor,

for trunks, as stated before, ground growing. You can simply try 8 concrete blocks placed
on each other and fill the space with freely draining soil mix.
Place blocks over open ground, to let the roots grow down into the soil.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[sorce]

Victor,

for trunks, as stated before, ground growing. You can simply try 8 concrete blocks placed
on each other and fill the space with freely draining soil mix.
Place blocks over open ground, to let the roots grow down into the soil.
Good Day
Anthony

Or....

As I think I may do this year....

Earth stands....



Basically, a regular height hollow post, filled with compost, to allow the roots to run down the 4ft and into the ground.

I like that I can keep an eye on mine as they can't go through the bottom, so I can cut any that get too large.

And.....you don't have to work on the ground!

We know trees in the ground are more likely to be neglected.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Oh...now I see you have the exact same idea!

Love it Anthony!

Sorce

 

[Victorim]

Victor,

for trunks, as stated before, ground growing. You can simply try 8 concrete blocks placed
on each other and fill the space with freely draining soil mix.
Place blocks over open ground, to let the roots grow down into the soil.
Good Day
Anthony

Would love to, but simply dont have the room :/ The misses, kids and dog would object if i started filling up the small space with these.

 

[Anthony]

Victor,

Well how about friends, family who have space or a farm or just someone who has a farm ?
There are no problems, only solutions.
Good Day
Anthony