Indoor Pots and Run-off

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Hey everyone I have a few questions about pots; specifically, using 5 gallon buckets as pots. I've used 2, 4, and 5 gallon buckets in the past and they worked great; but I keep seeing the cloth bags and these air pots.

My questions:
What is it about air pots that make them superior (are they superior?) to say a conventional gardening pot; or in this case, to a cheap hardware store bucket? Do the holes in the air pot really make that much of a difference in aeration to the roots? If I took the time and drilled spaced holes in a 5 gallon bucket; would this simulate the air pot effect to some degree? Or would I just be wasting time drilling holes in plastic and ruining my bucket to boot?

How about these cloth bags? I would think the fabric is far more breathable than a plastic polymer. Anyone have any experience with cloth? Do they hold up? Do you have any moisture/mold problems with them vs a conventional pot?

Second questions:
How do you guys handle your run-off from watering? Right now I just let them run off into the fabric drip tray of the tent; which doesn't really have any detrimental effects other than staining the tray fabric; but I really want to actually pay attention to my pH this time around, and I plan on doing several plants; so I'm trying to find an efficient way to collect the run off for pH sampling but that's not going to break the bank when I'm trying to do it for 9+ plants.

I've considered using plastic tubs; but unless I can fit multiple buckets per tub (which I probably can, I've got like a billion 14 and 17 gallon tubs around here,) it might get too cramped.

I think that will cover me for now. Appreciate any ideas or clarifications; hoping to pop some beans here in the next week and I have an epic amount of preparing to do with the new grow space. Thanks friends, hope this finds you well, smoke one up for me :smokebuds: and when I get home from work I'll return the favor :smokebuds:

Peace!
 
Hey V, airpots and smartpots air prune the roots, promoting growth and stopping curling. Are they better eh? There are DIY versions, drilling or lining with landscape fabric some of the reusable grocery bags could make smartpots.

I recently started a bucket. Simply put one in another drilled holes near the bottom not on of outter one so I can pull runoff with a turkey baster. Flood trays and totes come in all kinds of sizes.

:peace:
 
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