Bruce Elliott
Seedling
I'm curious to know anyone else's experience using air pots as training pots. I started using them a year or two ago, but I haven't yet repotted a tree from one of them, so I don't know yet how the root development will turn out. I first learned about them from Graham Potter of Kaizen Bonsai, and they sound perfect for bonsai development, but I still don't see too many people using them.
For anyone who might not be familiar with them, they are plastic pots that have numerous openings all around surface of the pots. Here are the claimed benefits:
The only disadvantage I see is that the increased air flow can potentially lead to the roots drying out faster, so you have to stay on top of your watering routine even more than usual.
Anyone else tried them?
For anyone who might not be familiar with them, they are plastic pots that have numerous openings all around surface of the pots. Here are the claimed benefits:
- The numerous openings promote air flow, bringing plenty of oxygen to the roots.
- Roots are directed by the shape of the walls into the holes, where they are exposed to the air, dry out, and are "air pruned". This prevents the typical spiral wrapping of the roots as they encircle traditional pots.
- Because the roots are not allowed to grow long, new root growth is promoted near the base of the tree, which is exactly what we want for bonsai.
- Because the roots are shorter, the transport of nutrients from feeder roots to the main plant is faster, promoting more vigorous growth.
The only disadvantage I see is that the increased air flow can potentially lead to the roots drying out faster, so you have to stay on top of your watering routine even more than usual.
Anyone else tried them?