Old Reviews Air pots vs. Smart pots

[ThaGreenBandit]

I'm using both right now, and I prefer Air Pots. They have a smaller diameter, which is important to me because my cab is only 3.5' wide, and they seem to dry out just a but quicker, which I like. The smart pot is better in that you don't have to remove the runoff, as the roots will suck it right up, and as the video pointed out, runoff in the Air Pots will just sit. That sucks. They're both pretty good pots, though. I think they pretty much perform the same, and it all comes down to preferences

Edit: smart Pots win the price battle, hands down. Air Pots are way too expensive

 

[namvet25]

Tang,eventually all the screw holes ware out.:Haha:

 

[Eyes on Fire]

ive always been jealous of the thin frame of air pots and how many you can get in there lol thats an awesome plus for them in my eyes.if i could afford them Id have them too.they do stellar work with a good medium.im just a cheap ass though soooo lmao!:Sharing One:

They ware out he says lmfaorotf :Haha:

 

[tag60435]

Great conversation here. I am relatively new to this plant and thought I would add here. I have been raising tropical hibiscus for years now, and thought that I had this dirt thing figured out. Then I tried a couple of auto grows and had way less than acceptable results. I think I fall into that, it's not so much what container you use, but what is in the container that counts. Don't get me wrong, I really want to try airpots, I think the concept is sound and I see it as one of those refinements that add to the overall success. But if you haven't successfully grown a plant to term in a plain old nursery grade plastic pot, an airpot will not be the miracle that makes that happen. As I stated, I have had several problem grows, that I can now attribute to soil. I have a soil that I use with my hibiscus and they thrive in this. But it is obviously not the soil for growing autos in. For my current grow, I picked up some Fox Farm Happy Frog, and mixed this with some coco coir, and additional perlite. My grow is much more successful now, and although I know there are additional factors which have positively impacted this grow, I am convinced the soil base is the primary reason.

Once I master this soil mixture and the amendments, as well as the fertilization profiles, I can make changes to Pots and periphery equipment and processes to refine my yields and quality.

Just Sayin.

 

[Feenix]

I'm using both right now, and I prefer Air Pots. They have a smaller diameter, which is important to me because my cab is only 3.5' wide, and they seem to dry out just a but quicker, which I like. The smart pot is better in that you don't have to remove the runoff, as the roots will suck it right up, and as the video pointed out, runoff in the Air Pots will just sit. That sucks. They're both pretty good pots, though. I think they pretty much perform the same, and it all comes down to preferences

Edit: smart Pots win the price battle, hands down. Air Pots are way too expensive

Good morning guys,
With the 3 gallon Airpot, if you trim the bottoms edge on a scroll saw leaving 1/8" to 1/16" of the lip, it shrinks an inch in diameter and just fits the next row of holes for the screws.

Edit: I've only done the threes but as the sides are the same on all, it should apply to all.

 

[Corgy]

Well said.........I'm presently tinkering with a little DIY project together with my mate Steve(everybody calls him Dopey Dad though since he had twin girls a while ago).............the Aero Smarty pot................more in due course(when we are ready to be the potty laughing stock)........

 

[mauricem00]

I have only used fabric pots and plastic pots but have seen no difference in growth rate or yield. I do use a good organic poting soil with about 25% perlite added so the soil is well aerated and have not seen roots coming thru the fabric pot. I think money is better spent on good soil and perlite than expensive pots. placing pots on a drain table also helps prevent salt build up and with organic nutrients like bone meal.blood meal and manure I don't worry about rinsing all my nutrients our' with chemical feed this might be a concern

 

[HD Grower]

Howdy all...I was going to start a new post,but seen this one and figured I'd sound off..

Working on a new grow and have been thinking about with the air pots..But seems to me that with more runoff a bigger chore for myself..My other option was the smart pots.Their down fall seems to be that they are harder to handle and move around..Hmmm

I came up with an idea..Not sure how it will work,but I wanted to run it by some folk and get thier thoughts..

How about placing a smart pot in a Mesh pot from the hydro world.. I found the 10 mech pot to be about the same size as the 3 gallon smart pot..The roots will still get plenty of air pruning and the mesh pot aids in the handling..One and biggest down fall is the cost of the two added..About $10(US) for the setup..

Any thoughts?????

Thanks

 

[heythere123]

I do not have much experience, currently using a smart pot and happy about it. Only thing I can say about them is that you shouldn't move them around too much unless they are on a plate or something because they ain't rigid and that might disturb the soil structure therefore the roots.
Also, Airpots seem a much, much better choice if you intend on LSTing, where you can simply put the thread through the air holes, which is definitely not simple when using smarpots.

 

[BayLee420]

I do not have much experience, currently using a smart pot and happy about it. Only thing I can say about them is that you shouldn't move them around too much unless they are on a plate or something because they ain't rigid and that might disturb the soil structure therefore the roots.
Also, Airpots seem a much, much better choice if you intend on LSTing, where you can simply put the thread through the air holes, which is definitely not simple when using smarpots.

Once the soil settles and the roots spread. You'll be to able to move them easily. If you get nursery Velco strips from the nursery store or JoAnn's Fabric. They work wonderfully in LST.

I rest the SmartPots on 1" nursery grates to get the air circulating around the whole pot. I put a saucer under the SmartPots after they have been watered a GOOD saturation. After a few hours I'll remove the saucer and let the air do it's thing. Wet/Dry cycles have been my forte in watering/feeding. SATURATE the soil. Then wait till it's almost dry. Then do it again. Lit the pot and see how it feels then when it gets light you need to water. A 20%-25% run off is a very good way of mini flushing every watering and the SmartPots will give you a great grow even the one gallon ones, where space is a premium.