Author Topic: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"  (Read 79476 times)

Mark in Texas

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Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« on: September 27, 2013, 10:26:01 AM »
Got in 2 beautiful condo mangoes (Mallika and Pickering) from PIN yesterday and put them in bottomless RootBuilder pots which I made up to about 24" D. Also shown is a Oro Negro in a larger pot in which I cut the cables, added about 3 more panels, and tied them together with cable ties.  That is the Rootmaker system - to expand the pots while inducing a large fibrous root mass.  The value is much higher vigor, production, smaller pot size because the root tips are terminated by air/light which induces a very fibrous rootball.   That allows for much greater root mass which translates to more uptake of water and salts.  The hundreds of extruded downward pointing nipples have 1/4" holes which directs the root out into the air whereby it's terminated (burned). Side benefit is NO root rot.  Click (zoom) on the 1st photo for more detail.  Root tip pruning is the only way to go for me, been doing it for years.  ;)

I'm into organics so my (open and airy) mix consists of 50% organics (composted horse manure, regular compost, pine bark mulch) and 50% in-organics (washed builders sand and coarse vermiculite).   Alfalfa horse cubes were soaked in water and this tea and pulp was used to add moisture to the mix.    Alfalfa not only contains beneficial minerals but an alcohol based growth hormone called triacontanol.   It took an entire tractor bucket load to fill those 2 mango pots.

I collect rainwater and use a small transfer pump and garden hose to water.  Works like a champ!



Pickering in the foreground, Mallika in the background.



PIN Oro Negro in expanded pot, first time fruiting, holding 8 fruit.






Young Reed sporting a new haircut.   I veneer grafted the scion to a Florida pit raised as rootstock. Transfer pump on column.



Mark
« Last Edit: April 24, 2018, 08:43:57 AM by Mark in Texas »

nullzero

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2013, 11:48:04 AM »
Mark,

Very impressive, excellent looking plants! I have noticed great results with the root pruning containers.
Grow mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Tim

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2013, 12:11:29 PM »
Congrats on the new acquisitions.  Very nice & healthy looking trees, I still don't see enough trees in your greenhouse btw
Tim

zands

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2013, 12:24:43 PM »
The stork flew in from Pine Island bringing your two new babies. Pickering reputation of growing slow and mine confirms this. I got six mangoes in the second year in the ground, got 8 this year. You know the deal...Pickering puts more resources into fruiting instead of leaf and branch. Mine is still only 4 ft high

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2013, 04:25:14 PM »
Yep, the stork was good to me and so was PIN.  I wish all nurseries had their level of plant quality and shipping excellence.  The plants are in pristine condition. 

Tim, I think I'm up a creek when my faves put on a few more years.  Got my pruning shears sharp and ready to go.  Glad to hear the Pickering is staying true to it's dwarfish rep.

nullzero, do you use their pots or make your own with RootBuilder?

nullzero

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2013, 06:46:32 PM »
Yep, the stork was good to me and so was PIN.  I wish all nurseries had their level of plant quality and shipping excellence.  The plants are in pristine condition. 

Tim, I think I'm up a creek when my faves put on a few more years.  Got my pruning shears sharp and ready to go.  Glad to hear the Pickering is staying true to it's dwarfish rep.

nullzero, do you use their pots or make your own with RootBuilder?

I use various sizes of superoots containers. From 3 gal to 12 gal. All plants have great root systems in them.
Grow mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

CTMIAMI

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2013, 07:38:53 PM »
Mark, nice dog.
Carlos
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www.myavocadotrees.com
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LEOOEL

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2013, 10:06:21 PM »
You collect rainwater coming from the heavens, and then use a pump for irrigation, well, that sounds like a nice advanced system you have there, impressive. And, the fruit trees look very healthy, as if they can't wait to begin growing and producing. You're off to a great start, thanks for posting.
'Virtue' should be taught, learned and propagated, in order to save others and oneself.

bangkok

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2013, 04:41:50 AM »
Mark, nice dog.

That's a raccoon who came to see what's going on in that fancy greenhouse. Mark forgot to put a shotgun behind the door. ;)

I like those pots but i guess they are not suitable for using outside on a concrete floor in full Thai sun. They will get soo hot and with all them holes will dry out really fast.

Mark you might have german motors but i still see electric wires hanging in the air. That it is not by german standard installed because you might trip over them and that can be dangerous. Those wires will be there for the lifetime of the greenhouse so it is worth to connect them to something solid for about every 2 feet.

I love those tree's and wished mine grew like these. Reed avocado is the one i really want to grow one day.







Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2013, 07:59:00 AM »
You collect rainwater coming from the heavens, and then use a pump for irrigation, well, that sounds like a nice advanced system you have there, impressive. And, the fruit trees look very healthy, as if they can't wait to begin growing and producing. You're off to a great start, thanks for posting.

305 gal. Norwesco with a cheap (but effective) Wayne transfer pump I got off Amazon.  Water hose to the tank thru a side vent, water hose for the plants.   Rainwater collection systems are becoming very popular in the arid parts of Texas.  My dermatologist has a 43,000 gal. system that supplies his family of 6 including plant irrigation.

Thanks, I baby those trees even giving them an overhead shower by hand every morning.  Sheesh, what we won't do for our faves. :)   They recovered quickly after the mite attack.  I've got the best of both worlds, able to grow the finest wine grapes, stone fruits like peaches, pomegranates, olives, pecans, etc. thanks to a lot of chill hours...... and now I'm bringing the tropics indoors.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2013, 08:09:44 AM by Mark in Texas »

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2013, 08:06:38 AM »
Mark, nice dog.

That's a raccoon who came to see what's going on in that fancy greenhouse. Mark forgot to put a shotgun behind the door. ;)

Hah!  She does look like a raccoon.  Yep, one that got away.  Actually a rescue dog, a heeler, that was about to be put down because she wouldn't herd.  Shy, scared of her own shadow, obviously abused but with my love and socializing, she's coming around fast.

Quote
Mark you might have german motors but i still see electric wires hanging in the air. That it is not by german standard installed because you might trip over them and that can be dangerous. Those wires will be there for the lifetime of the greenhouse so it is worth to connect them to something solid for about every 2 feet.

Those are water hoses running to the water tank at the outside corner.   Except for the pump, everything is hardwired to code, including the German vent 'Lock' brand controllers and motors.   :-*

Quote
I love those tree's and wished mine grew like these. Reed avocado is the one i really want to grow one day.

Every year I try to find a source for Reed fruit out of California.  They should be ready about now.  Don't know why they're not more widely planted as the fruit is some of the best.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2013, 08:12:29 AM by Mark in Texas »

bangkok

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2013, 09:24:24 AM »
Every year I try to find a source for Reed fruit out of California.  They should be ready about now.  Don't know why they're not more widely planted as the fruit is some of the best.

Actually i have never eaten a Reed avo but that's about the best i will be able to grow in Bangkok. On the parts of the world where i stay i have never seen a Reed but mostly they don't mention the variaty so i have no clue what avocado i m eating.

Last month i had Fuerte bought in Germany which was okay and huge. In Holland they only sell Hass.

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2013, 09:58:41 AM »
Actually i have never eaten a Reed avo but that's about the best i will be able to grow in Bangkok. On the parts of the world where i stay i have never seen a Reed but mostly they don't mention the variaty so i have no clue what avocado i m eating.

Growers in California have a saying, "we sell the Hass and keep the Reeds for ourselves."

simon_grow

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2013, 01:20:03 PM »
Hey Mark,

Do you know how long those air prune pots will last outdoors? I have the same type as you and I'm hoping they won't break down too fast in direct sun. Your trees look great, have they grown much in the last couple months?
Simon

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2013, 02:31:37 PM »
Hey Mark,

Do you know how long those air prune pots will last outdoors? I have the same type as you and I'm hoping they won't break down too fast in direct sun. Your trees look great, have they grown much in the last couple months?
Simon

Simon, I think the pots would last "forever" but it's really not an issue as you can replace the entire pot around the rootball very easily just by cutting the cable ties tieing each end together (I use 3 ties - top, middle, and bottom).......putting a new "pot" around the rootball, plus follow the intent/design of this air pruning system and add a few panels to expand the pot's size.  I have gone from 2' diameter pots to 3' diameter pots and that's where I call it quits regarding any future upcanning and rootball expansion.  No mas....

Trees have really kicked butt the last few months and should fruit really heavily next year. We've been eating delicious Mex Limes via teas, margaritas and pies and FINALLY the grapefruit sent out a fine flush of foliage.  It sat dormant for most of the year, typical of my experience with Flying Dragon rootstock.   When they say low vigor, they aren't kidding.  Soon to harvest is - Moro blood orange (I quit counting at 40), Meyer lemons, Rio Red grapefruit and Oro Negro cados. 

5 new flushes on Pickering since planting in Sept.   Recently topped Mallika in the foreground:


Pickering using "Illustrated Option" on my camera for the first time.  This is too cool!



Purty girls!   New leaves on Pickering are double in size over the previous flush.  Yay!


Oro Negro:


Meyer lemons just beginning to turn yellow. Notice zinc chlorosis on older leaves:


Sharwil in the foreground Reed in the background:


Reed in newly expanded pot:


Happy gardening!
« Last Edit: November 24, 2013, 09:55:00 AM by Mark in Texas »

xshen

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #15 on: November 20, 2013, 05:41:00 PM »
Those root pruning air pots show promising results but they're a bit pricy.  Would you get the same result if you manually stick a machete into the pot and trim around edges to prune the roots?   I know this is a dumb question...

Ethan

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #16 on: November 20, 2013, 08:04:03 PM »
Nice results Mark, the trees look great.

plantlover13

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #17 on: November 20, 2013, 09:29:23 PM »
so if i were to use these fabric things as containers that i would have to move around, how large a pot would be needed for avocados? I'm guessing it would be smaller than a non root pruning pot?

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2013, 10:14:03 PM »
Those root pruning air pots show promising results but they're a bit pricy.  Would you get the same result if you manually stick a machete into the pot and trim around edges to prune the roots?   I know this is a dumb question...

RootBuilder is, uh, "dirt" cheap.  Check out the price on a 105' roll.

You would not get the same result using a blade as you'd not be busting up the spin-out.  The root tip pruning pots prevent spin out in the first place and that's what you're after.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2013, 11:09:53 AM by Mark in Texas »

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2013, 10:15:48 PM »
so if i were to use these fabric things as containers that i would have to move around, how large a pot would be needed for avocados? I'm guessing it would be smaller than a non root pruning pot?

This is not fabric.  Buy a root pruning pot that has a bottom if you must move it or use a chemical root tip pruning paint on the inside of the pot - copper hydroxide in latex paint.   Yes, you can get by with a smaller pot due to the increased root mass surface area induced by roots that are tip pruned.  The rootball tends to be fibrous thoughout as opposed to being bunched up against the pot's side and bottom.

Thanks Ethan, webee having fun!
« Last Edit: November 21, 2013, 11:16:00 AM by Mark in Texas »

plantlover13

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #20 on: November 20, 2013, 10:24:04 PM »
Those root pruning air pots show promising results but they're a bit pricy.  Would you get the same result if you manually stick a machete into the pot and trim around edges to prune the roots?   I know this is a dumb question...

RootBuilder is, uh, "dirt" cheap.  Check out the price on a 105' roll.

would you be kind enough to give me a link? i can't find the prices on their site and feel quite lost.

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #22 on: November 23, 2013, 02:30:20 PM »
Great work Mark, the trees are looking really healthy.  8) The mangoes have settled in nicely!

Mark in Texas

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #23 on: November 23, 2013, 02:48:15 PM »
Great work Mark, the trees are looking really healthy.  8) The mangoes have settled in nicely!

Thanks.  If you're ever in the area please give me a holler.

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Re: Greenhouse, RootMaker pots for tropicals and fruit "porn"
« Reply #24 on: November 23, 2013, 03:40:37 PM »
Are these pots similar to superoots? Your plants are so healthy thanks
« Last Edit: November 23, 2013, 05:44:49 PM by socal10b »