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Smart Pot Frequently asked questions
How does the Smart Pot work?
Smart Pots are manufactured out of a custom, non-woven, polypropylene material that research discovered has important and unique horticultural applications. As roots grow they soon reach the container walls. In hard sided, plastic containers, these roots immediately start circling and continue to circle. Examine a circling root structure and you find a few large roots growing in circles with very little side branching. These roots often bind or girdled upon themselves. Circling roots can never give optimum growth.
Smart Pots are manufactured out of a tough, porous fabric. When roots reach the side of the Smart Pot, they Air Prune!
What is air pruning?
Air pruning is a natural process occurring when a root comes in contact with the air on the side of the porous Smart Pot wall. The root tip stops growing (pruned) and causes the remaining root to extensively branch. Now, instead of fewer circling roots, the plant develops new lateral roots. New, fibrous roots fill the Smart Pot allowing the plant to maximize uptake of both moisture and nutrients. And when the roots grow well, the plant grows well. Upon comparison, root systems that developed in a Smart Pot have a much greater mass or volume then those found in hard-sided plastic containers. Plants grown in Smart Pots have greater root mass in less soil.
Why is the Smart Pot better than hard-sided containers?
The Smart Pot aerates and plastic does not. Aeration stops root circling and releases heat, helping your plant build a better root structure. Better roots will give you a better plant.
How often should a Smart Pot be watered?
Watering the Smart Pot is not too different than watering hard-sided containers. For all containers watering frequency depends on a number of factors including the types of plant being grown, the potting mix and the weather conditions. Keep two things in mind – The Smart Pot is an aeration container. The porous fabric allows water to evaporate so you may need to water a little more. But, the Smart Pot releases heat. It does not get hot like a plastic container, so you may water a little less.
Why is a root system grown in a Smart Pot more desirable?
Any plant is only as good as its root structure. A fibrous root system is a more efficient one and enables the plant to maximize water and nutrient uptake in the limited surrounding soil mass. Also, a fibrous, highly developed root system roots out quicker and establishes quicker when the plant is transplanted.
Is it true that plants grown in Smart Pots don't have to be repotted as often as those grown in hard-sided pots?
Yes, it is true. Remember, roots do not circle in the Smart Pot. Because of the large volume of fibrous roots, plants growing in a Smart Pot can stay longer, and be healthier, growing in a Smart Pot.
Does this mean I can leave my plants a few years in the Smart pots?
Yes! We urge you to try leaving some plants in the Smart Pots for a long time. With healthy roots, you will be amazed at what your plants will do in their second or third year in the same Smart Pot.
What other advantages are there to growing in the Smart Pot over traditional, plastic containers?
The fabric will not crack or break from frost or when dropped. Heat release gives you better control of slow release fertilizer. A fibrous root structure has fewer problems in cold or warm weather.
Why does the Smart Pot have a fabric bottom?
To help you grow a better plant. The Smart Pot is made with a heavy porous fabric bottom that gives a plant intimate ground contact. This ground contact helps the plant maintain a ground temperature, as opposed to a plastic container temperature. Also, small roots may penetrate the bottom of the Smart Pot. These roots will help intake moisture and nutrients.
How do I clean my Smart Pot?
After use dump out the soil and let the bag dry. After a few days of being dry, the dust and small roots will easily brush off. For most people, this is good enough. At this point the Smart Pot folds easily for storage. However, a lot of our customerswill wash the bags in a bleach to sterilize (I have heard lately that many people prefer OxyClean). They use a washing machine or dip the bag in a tub. Do not put the Bags in a dryer.
My plants were growing well until I moved them. What happened?
Water the plant! Because of the fabric bottom, if the plant is moved to a dry ground area, the dry ground can move water out of the Smart Pot by capillarity. Water when you move plants.
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