Ever used a Smart Pot?

[Troy_ATX]

I've got a few 25 gal trees about to crawl out of their plastic containers so I'm looking for roomier homes for them. I stumbled on these fabric pots online called Smart Pots (in small to 300gal sizes). Has anyone had any experience with these? Are they durable? Or are these more for plants and less for trees?

[Mats]

  On 11/18/2010 at 12:32 AM, Troy_ATX said:

I've got a few 25 gal trees about to crawl out of their plastic containers so I'm looking for roomier homes for them. I stumbled on these fabric pots online called Smart Pots (in small to 300gal sizes). Has anyone had any experience with these? Are they durable? Or are these more for plants and less for trees?

Those look similar to the 'Jackpot bags' Martin is using for his new nursery in San Angelo.

According to this site, Smart Pots work very well for trees.

[Got Palms]

I've seen them more often now they are supposed to aerate the roots and drain water a lot better than plastic and environmentally friendly only positive remarks that i've heard of so far! Sergio

[Gallop]

I'm using these and really like them. They have held up nicely and the palms seem to like them, they have been growing great since being placed in them a year ago. I recommend using a very light,well draining potting mix. Using a light mix also allows you to move the larger grow bags around easier. At 1st I found I had to water a little more often other than that I've been pleased w/ them. I'm using them up to 200gal, and using 1gal for all my seedlings. Hope this helps, IMO for the $ they can't be beat.

[AggiePalms]

These sound great! Anybody know if they are feasible in my situation? I have to take my tropicals inside for the winter, so are these movable after they are filled? I realize the 200 gallon ones probably aren't, but how about 25-50 gallons or so?

[Gallop]

I can easily move all my smart pots in for the winter, even the large ones. I use a very light potting mix so it's no problem @ all. There tuff I just grab them and drag them in.

[MattyB]

I have a feeling they might not be good for outdoors use in dry SoCal.

[AggiePalms]

Gallop:

That sounds great! Next year I will have to use some. Sure beats the pain of moving heavy pots.

[Gallop]

After my palms were accumulated to the pots, I actually water less now . Only when they where fist planted in them did I have to water more. You can find several articles on line that explain this and why watering more when first potted is needed.