Square Pots....

I am in the process of changing over to square pots as often as I can now.... I have found that the root systems are so much better than a round pot.. The roots stretch out to the corners & make such a stronger system than when they go around a traditional round pot.... I had noticed that garden centres & nursaries use them allot... Kew of course does for several kinds of plants too I noticed... So have been collecting them for a couple of years... They are hard to get hold of otherwise it seems, but good old Wilkos are selling them this year, so have treated myself to some new ones & some trays as well.... There is of course the other very obvious reason for changing to them... Which is, of them taking up less space in the end on the greenhouse shelves.. By using square pots & trays I can get another 2 trays in on the shelves... Also have managed to get hold of some larger ones too. So will try some Toms etc in them this year...
I as just wondering if any of you had any thoughts or observations on the subject.....???? :D

 

:D I Like root trainers too dendy, but over time have swapped over to the sq's & I was suprised at the extra space & the difference in the root systems... There must be something to it... I shall see how it goes this year...! :D

 

I shall certainly keep you up dated dendy.. I have pots up to 12" now Peter, so all sizes pretty much covered... So should give me an idea about them... Yes Fran, Kew people were saying pretty much what you have said & it is what I have found to date..! About how the roots are encouraged to go down in a circular pot, but in a square they head for the corners and work their way down & around in a much more steady fashion... I shall let you know as I pot on..!!!! :D

 

:D Yes Hex,,, I think there is an experiment gonna start..!! :D I found that there isn't that much of a difference in the smaller sizes between how much soil they take.. Seems to me it is when you move up to the 8"pots that the depth becomes more than a round one, but then you can keep them longer & sometimes all the time in those because of the depth about 12" on the ones I got..... So... They way I see it at the moment is not allot of soil difference, but I need to keep a record & see as you say..... As I don't think I shall have to re-pot quite so many things into a bigger than 8"sq x12" deep pot These I am told will take 6ltr of compost.. :rolleyes: Whereas with the round I always go to a 12" round pot for Toms etc... In fact I don't really think it is going to be that much of a soil difference, the more I think about it while writing this...!!!!! I do have some 12"sq pots if I need them.. They take 11ltr of compost to fill... I shall have to see..... :D

 

I can see what you are saying Hex, but I have been down a similar road in the past & I found it all a bit fiddley, where as all the smaller Sq pots have come to me via other plants I have bought.. So basically free..!! It is the convenience of them I think as well... I shall see how it turns out.... :D

 

Hi Elain, long time no speak.. I sow all my seeds into seed compost & Vermiculite for good drainage etc.....
I tailor my mixes to my plants though really... If it is just patio containers & pots with bedding etc going in then I use straight multi-purpose with gel crystals added for water retention...
For my other plants, I then tailor my compost mixes to suit the plants I am potting on... In different variations for different plants I use John Innes #2 or #3. Grit for drainage & proportions of compost or this year I may also try some coir mixed in as well for bulk...
I use organic fertilizers.. I have a "growing" one which has an NPK of 8%ntrogen 2%phosphorus 6%potassium for vegative growth.. Then for my flowering plants & shrubs I use another organic one with an NPK of 2%nitrogen 6%phosphorus 3.5%potassium when they are flowering..!! I vary the strength & do also mix the two at times.... Plus some other organic products....
I do of course have some acid loving plants, & I use organic feed for them but I have lost the packet so can't remember what make it is..... So really elain I make the feed & compost to suit the plants.... :rolleyes: Sorry if this isn't any help... But I hope it is... :D

Scotkat that is smashing that you use some you inherited.. I just think they are a better way for me anyway... :D