Growing in mesh pots

10 years ago

Has anyone else tried this? Bonsai growers will sometimes grow their trees in plastic colanders in order to get more air to the root system. I've never tried it before, but thought I'd experiment on a Bursera fagaroides cutting that has been growing in a clay pot for a few years now. I picked up a couple 9x9x5 mesh pots from my local hydro shop. The holes were still a little large, so I had to line it with fiberglass insect screen. I'll compare its growth to the mother plant this summer, and see if there's any difference.

-Chris

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penfold2
Original Author

10 years ago

Time for an update.

A little background: The basket plant was a cutting from the other plant, so they are genetically identical. Both plants were repotted at the same time, in the same mix. The root systems even looked very similar when repotting.

Both plants were essentially leafless when repotted, but after just over a month, there is considerably more foliage on the basket plant.

It's not definitive proof, but so far, the basket appears to have a distinct advantage over the clay pot. I may have to start using more baskets if this trend continues.

-Chris

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Comments (8)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yessir, I love these baskets. I bought mine as pond-baskets from a local nursery, and I ordered them in all sizes. Originally, I used them in the ground as a gopher prevention for my peppers, but then I started growing my oldest Portulacaria afra in a round basket as an experiment.

Just recently, I was at a hydro store, and I saw some small baskets that I thought would be perfect for my orchids. I have a 'Blue Heaven' that has never bloomed, and so I transferred it to a basket and almost overnight it began to send out a new leaf. So, we'll see if it works!

Josh
0
ehuns27 7a PA
10 years ago
Great idea, Chris. I am interested in seeing the results.

-Erica
0
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penfold2
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks guys.

I'll have to look into pond baskets, Josh. It would be nice to get some different shapes/sizes. I'm looking for some smaller square ones for some of my orchids as well. I've been growing most of them mounted, but I think they'd do better in baskets.

-Chris
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
Hey, Chris! What size are the perforations/holes in your baskets/pots? Mine have 1/16 and 1/8 inch slats. I also use the big baskets to screen the fines out of Perlite, Turface, and bark, as well as rinsing various dusty ingredients. I have several big baskets, quite a few of the smaller size in the pic below, a stack of baskets that are half as deep as the smaller baskets pictured, and then some round baskets.

Josh
0
penfold2
Original Author
10 years ago
The holes in mine are about 1/8". Small enough to keep most of the soil in, but not everything. The insect screen just makes them less messy since nothing gets through. I never thought of using them for sifting, but that might be a good idea too. I'll keep an eye out for some like yours, and see how my Bursera responds in the meantime. I'm considering clipping some felt or burlap on them to keep the sun off. I'm not sure if the black color will heat up the soil, or if the perforations will negate that.

-Chris
andy_e
10 years ago
Wow...very interesting. Both are planted in gritty mix?
penfold2
Original Author
10 years ago
They're both planted in a mix of 3 parts Turface, 3 parts Floor Dry, and 4 parts granite.

-Chris