Fabric pots - Durability?

[CBG35]

Anybody use heavy duty fabric pots for container grown fruit trees?  Brands you like?  I'm wondering if roots grow out of them eventually and if they dry out too quickly.  Seems like a lightweight and inexpensive option.  If not, what type (and size) container would you use for a permanent pot for a Cherimoya tree that you plan to keep small?  And, where do you buy from?

[561MangoFanatic]

Anybody use heavy duty fabric pots for container grown fruit trees?  Brands you like?  I'm wondering if roots grow out of them eventually and if they dry out too quickly.  Seems like a lightweight and inexpensive option.  If not, what type (and size) container would you use for a permanent pot for a Cherimoya tree that you plan to keep small?  And, where do you buy from?

Been using these Root Pouches going on my 2nd season with them & theyre really good but for certain things I would be careful! I just transplanted 2 mango trees that were in 7gal root pouches & I had quite a difficult time as the roots were growing through the sides & bottom. Only real downfall other than poor watering if you make the mistake of over packing soil like I've done. Veggies do really well in them. The brand is Root Pouch & the kind are the boxer brown (longest lasting). Got them off amazon in 7gal & 10gal ten pack. They also have bigger sizes. Not familiar with cherimoyas & I think you will run into the same problem transplanting since it is also a tree & not a veggie. But you could also cut the pot to transplant but then that defeats the purpose of durability of using them as long as possible. If you want to cut them to transplant a tree I would go with a different color to last however long you plan on having them in the fabric pots- i.e. 1year, 3years,etc

[merce3]

I have used smart pots and jack pots and I find the jack pots to be way thicker. Roots do get stuck to the side but don't grow through. I have use smart pots for years with no real degradation. Biggest problem is salt build up for me. The jack pots probed 5o outperform the competition in a study I found on the web.

[Mark in Texas]

Conventional pots for me either using a copper hydroxide paint or air/light to terminate the root tips.   Great thread. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3239.0

[FruitFreak]

My nursery is heavily invested in the use of fabric pots ranging from 15-65gal.  I have noticed a definite improvement in the trees health/happiness and the pots seem very durable.  If you are worried about root penetration just place some dunnage or pavers to allow air under the pots.  My GroPros from Zenhydro are awesome.  I get the "tan premium" pots. 

[greenman62]

i use packing peanuts at the bottom of the fabric containers.
i have a mango ion a 7gal, and pretty happy with the results.
havent moved it much, but, that doesnt seem to be a problem
 i figured if i really need to move it a lot, i would put it in a larger plastic container
temporarily to move it, then take it out.

since then i have taken a knife and poked holes in the sides of all my plastic containers.
i was much easier and faster than repotting 50 plants.

i just bought a 18inch tall candle tree (Parmentiera)
the roots were 8 feet long wrapped around and around inside the pot.
it took a 1/2 hour to tease them out without breaking them.

i transplanted it in a kitchen tall trash can (LOL)
i put holes all around the sides with a knife
hopefully, it will stop the roots from circling the container.

this trash can is sold with prefab holes

i used newspaper around the sides to keep the dirt in
it owrked great for several months until the paper fell apart
then, when i moved it, little bits of dirt fell out the holes.

when the plant died, i looked at the roots
nothing wrapping around at all, and lots of fine roots.

[Mark in Texas]

2014, expanding (adding panels) to this RootBuilder pot containing a Moro blood orange.  Notice the excellent perimeter root pruning and large white roots growing into native soil.  Most of my tropical trees are in RootMaker products.

[greenman62]

one of the main problems i have with black plastic pots is heat.
when direct sun hits them, they can get quite hot and kill roots.
Putting holes in the sides like i do helps a little, but not much.

ive painted several of my black pots white,
others i have used something to block the sun from hitting them.

fabric has its problems also.

it looks like this guy had a problem with root rot
the roots would stick to the bottom of the fabric
ive noticed when i lift a fabric pot, if resting on cement or earth, the bottom is often wet.

if you dont have time to watch the whole thing
start at 4:00 mins of video #2

Fabric Pot Review Re-evaluated Part I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTiQ_D_P21E


Fabric Pot Review Re-evaluated Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t98NNmo1tmw

[FruitFreak]

fabric has its problems also.

it looks like this guy had a problem with root rot
the roots would stick to the bottom of the fabric
ive noticed when i lift a fabric pot, if resting on cement or earth, the bottom is often wet.

if you dont have time to watch the whole thing
start at 4:00 mins of video #2

Fabric Pot Review Re-evaluated Part I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTiQ_D_P21E


Fabric Pot Review Re-evaluated Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t98NNmo1tmw

Carlos hasn't had a good experience with Fabric Pots.  Always be sure to up pot with the appropriate container for the plant.  To eliminate the potential for soggy soil just use the correct medium for growth.  It also helps to not keep your pots directly on wet earth.  Same for plastic containers.  I personally have never experienced soggy soil or root rot in the fabric pots.