Can I make a recommendation?

[Redforlife]

Well if not, tough

All growers out there need to be aware of these marvels of pot technology.

The Air Pot



IMO, an essential piece of kit for the budding horticulturalist.

I use 7 litre pots. I generally squeeze 5-6 ounces dry from that. A friend who has an abundance of light and digitally controlled temps has managed 12 ounces from one!

I used to use 15 litre 'normal' pots, and didn't achieve anywhere near the same yield.

Why? Because of the air.

The way these work is that like normal pots, roots grow to the outside edge from the middle (or tap root). With a normal pot, the roots will basically wrap themselves around the perimeter of the pot, potentially becoming root-bound if you don't keep a close eye on them.

The air pot has the 'teets' that you can see which are open to the air. Basically the root grows out to the edge, is forced through the teet, and is 'air pruned' when it's exposed. This causes the root internally to branch out, filling the pot inside almost entirely. I've never been root-bound in one of these. Other obvious advantages is fresh air to the root-zone, constantly.

You'll probably need to keep a closer eye on your temps down low, so the roots don't get cold-shocked or anything.

But these are highly recommended

[Boner]

Nice post, I agree.

[geoffk]

I noticed there are a few types on their website:
Air-Pot for Trees & Shrubs
Air-Pot for Greenhouse Growing
Air-Pot for Potatoes & Root Crops

I'm assuming you would use the "Greenhouse Growing" version?

[Redforlife]

To be fair, any local hydro supplier should have the correct ones in stock - I don't know which I've got - but they logically should be the greenhouse ones!

One other thing to note, is that plants will often increase their rate of feed consumption - so the first time you use them it's a good idea to keep an eye on wetness etc to make sure they don't dry out - otherwise it's horrible saltiness. This is especially relevant in an automated system (like a Wilma for example). A simple pick up and feel of the weight should be enough.

If hand-watering, water slowly, otherwise the reservoir part at the top fills, and all the feed cascades out of the first set of holes!!! Nice and slowly does the trick.

[gixxer]

i was thinking of usuing these on my next grow, now i defo will use them
thanx m8

[Redforlife]

Cost-wise - money's always important, right?

Normal pots I paid around £1.50 for a 6 litre.

Air pots are around £4.50 each.

So not too debt-inducing, although if you do many at a time it might be costly to upgrade.

But you know what they say? Very few things in life where you can make an investment and see a return in three months!!

Certainly not with the banks

[gixxer]

hydro grow uk,,,,,£4.29 for 15l pot

[Redforlife]

hydro grow uk,,,,,£4.29 for 15l pot

How long you planning to veg?

The reason I ask is that a friend was using the 15litre pots. He was going from clone into large pot and flowering almost immediately.

With that size, you'd probably need a bit of veg time to get the most out of them - you need to get the roots to the point where they're air pruning themselves - with a 15l it's a lot for the roots to do in s short period of time - even taking into account the acceleration of root development during the early stages of flowering.

My mate wasn't really getting the advantage of the 'technology', moved down to 7l, and now gets a higher yield.

I can veg 2-3 weeks in a 7l, flower and still not have problems. And they're utterly huge, multi-stemmed beasts

[Bob2]

got one to compare with other pots i have, WOW the root structure is amazing and Plant 20% bigger at least +flushing so much easier. ill take a pic of inside when i remove the cocoo when shes done..
15ltr pot

during growth roots were amazing drank about 50% more dried up pretty quick as well.during flower they drink 2 and a half times more and just drank up the nutes brushed them first time flushing felt like a spongy wall off roots/afro, ive moved down to 10ltr airpots now. only drawback they suck the coco bone dry Quick

[Cisco]

I think there is a thread on airpots already ?

I'm all for them myself , I had a brief experience with them during a cfl grow and my yields did improve

[Cisco]

Here we go https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewt ... 15&t=18135


Just to get the conversation going

Great post Redforlife

[Bilbo Baggins]

Basically the root grows out to the edge, is forced through the teet, and is 'air pruned' when it's exposed.

I like the sound of this, but what does '' air pruned '' mean ?

[Redforlife]

Basically the root grows out to the edge, is forced through the teet, and is 'air pruned' when it's exposed.

I like the sound of this, but what does '' air pruned '' mean ?

Basically from what I understand the air prunes the root - at the tip. From there the root will banch out inside the pot, and you should find the air exchange at the teets to be farily epic. So basically it stops outward growth at the point it's air pruned, and branches out inside the rootball.

[Trad]

These sound very interesting.
Are they just for use with soil or can they be employed with something like Hydroton (or someother similar product)?
Fantastic looking root balls.

EDIT:-Sorry, just read the other thread and got my answer.