Hello Martin,
James, Loslunasfarms and sansquid uses them!

Cecil

I heartily endorse them.
They do everything they claim.

Thanks i'll have to go back and look to see there sizes and prices ,i'm thinking it might take the fun out of root pruning for me.
Martin

Martin,

There are several posts both in the Fig and Container forums addressing these containers.

I am in my third year of using these containers. While I don't quite have Sandsquid's enthusiasm for them, they are much better than solid sided containers. I think the most important thing to note here is despite the benefits these containers provide to root structure, they are NOT a substitute for periodic root work. There are several reasons for this:

first: Even if the containers work perfectly and produce the most perfect root system (which they don't) the roots will eventually grow to fully occupy the container (become root-bound). Therefore, they will need to be thinned out. Despite being root pruned, roots will continue to grow thicker and less efficient at transporting moisture and nutrients into the trunk of the tree. These will need to be removed to make room for the finer more efficient roots.

second: The growing mix will break down regardless of the container they are in. There is much written within the walls of these forums regarding the problems associated with growing mix structure breakdown.

That said, I am hoping to increase the interval between bare-rooting/root work on my trees. If I can push the interval to three years, then I can perform root work only when it is time to pot up (even on the slowest growing trees).

If you are still interested (and need bulk quantities), Florikan had a 30% price reduction this past December (I think). They may reduce the price again this year.

~james

BJS496, thanks so much, from reading your post it would be better to stick then to my containers. Every 2 to 3 years i root prune and add more MG soil the old stuff thats spilled i just throw in garden. I guess for me then if its not broke don't fix it. Once again thanks.
Martin

Martin,

I did not mean to imply there was no benefit from the Air-Pots. I was only saying the containers are not a substitute for periodic root work. While I have seen roots "circling" around the perimeter of the Air-Pots, the number is greatly reduced. Also, particles in the growing mix can turn a root back into the container, thereby causing some of the problems normally associated with a solid walled container.

As the root tip grows out of the holes in the side of the container and dries out, the roots branch out behind the old growing tip (similar to Herman's pinching the growing tips of the branches). Where as a solid walled container has fewer long roots traveling around the perimeter of the container (between the growing mix and the side of the container), the Air-Pots have more of the shorter, finer roots occupying the growing mix. Herein lies the primary benefit of growing in the root-pruning containers.

For some varieties (Black Ischia, Black Madeira, etc.) which are slow growing trees... both above and below the soil line, getting three years between repots is not so difficult. In faster growing trees (LSU Purple) the issue of root growth/maintenance gains more importance. These are the trees I am most interested in extending their stay in a container.

~james

Let me clarify by stating that I use them ONLY when a propagated cuttings is coming out of the initial rooting box (I use "rootrainer"s) and for developing a good hearty root system, and then transplanting to their final home.

I personally would NOT use them for more than 3-6 months, and certainly NOT as a permanent home for my figs or grapevines.

But for my intended purpose; getting a young tender rootling beefed up and ready for final planting, they do what I expect.