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potting rootstocks/grafts....my idea
The following thread was started by Ed of Somis on May 31, 2010 at 12:02 am PST
Hi Ed,
Yes it works. But there is a much better reason for doing this, you get much better root system as a result. The roots that hit the air die back a bit, and branch. Air root pruning always leaves a tree with a denser rootmass, which is good. Avos do well with taproot intact, so try to keep this lateral branching to the sides only, and maintain the taproot structure, unless you are on an impermeable pan soil.
I've seen avocados grown in bags made of wire or plastic netting, where every external surface creates air root pruning. They perform well as bonsai fruit trees and are very prolific, but have high management requirements. This is taking your idea to the next step.
The above followup was added by Ben (NZ) on May 31, 2010 at 1:09 pm PST.
Smart Pots...
Yep, Ben (NZ) is right. The "next step" are things like "Smart Pots":
http://www.smartpots.com/about-us#axzz0pYE8Aj4C
Here is a picture of a #7 and a #10 next to a std #15 black pot.
The people I know that use them, use them for very large landscape trees. I am thinking of using them for "specimen" size olive trees. Since I have really strong winds where I am, I am thinking of "planting" the smart pot in the ground to givd the tree stability. When the tree is sold, apparently you just sort of "pop" the tree out of the ground, as the roots never penetrate the fiber material.
The people I know that use them really like them, and say they form a dense fiberous root system...
The above followup was added by DavidInAmityOr,Usa,UsdaZ8 on May 31, 2010 at 4:14 pm PST.
understanding this root thing....
B and D....do I understand that the air hitting the root system allows the roots to branch off more, and create a more developed/larger root system? When you say it branches out....you are referring to the fact the roots bifricate and develop faster/more full? It does not create problems with branching above the soil line...right? thankyou
The above followup was added by Ed of Somis on May 31, 2010 at 5:15 pm PST.
RootMaker, RootTrapper, Smart Pots, DIY, RPM
Ed, Dr. Carl Whitecomb of Oklahoma as been working with air-pruning pots since the 60s. I've been communicating with him recently as I'm trying out RootMaker pots and RootTrapper pots, and some of the methods similar to what is used by Keelinng nursery in their RPM trees (their method is patented though it seems to me that the methods they employ have been used elsewhere with slightly different procedures).
Dr. Whitcomb seems to prefer the RootTrapper pots, using a material similar to weed block fabric, but these pots are pretty much a one-use product though Dr. Whitcomb says he staples them back together to re-use once. The RootTrapper pots actually "trap" the tips of the roots and forces them to lose their apical dominance, similar to root pruning, except it does this along the entire surface of the pot whereas RootTrapper and Smart Pots do this at select locations. You can see examples of this at the company's web site: http://www.rootmaker.com/ The grower wholesale price for RootMaker pots is only slightly higher than RootTrapper pots but these can easily be used for 10 years or more.
RPM at Keeling only performs root pruning at the bottom of the pots though I've seen that their trees have performed quite well in reforestation areas in Missouri during a visit there several years ago. You can see examples of this at their site: http://www.fknursery.com/
In searching for more information about these methods and other alternatives, I stumbled across a site for marijuana growers who are quite creative. These Do-It-Yourself methods appear to have very good results and the photos on this lengthy discussion thread show pretty well what is happening. The pot without air pruning on the bottom had circling roots only on the bottom so the grower manually pruned the roots and added fabric on the bottom of the pot. See http://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/303229-diy-air-pruning-pot-experiment.html
Of the different methods shown, the DIY method is the easiest and cheapest for you to try out since materials are readily available.
Good luck!
The above followup was added by HarveyC on May 31, 2010 at 5:32 pm PST.
propagating seeds....the root question
Wow....I should have known the marijuana growers had it figured out...haha. It looks like a version of this idea could be achieved by simply drilling holes in the sides of the plastic pots. Thus, allowing more airflow/drying to occur, besides just around the bottom drain holes. My intent was actually to discourage root rot by avoiding the mucky/muddy condition which can occur due to the inactive roots, by slightly drying out the soil mid-pot....with the holes in the sides. It sounds like this is certainly related thinking....huh?
The above followup was added by Ed of Somis on May 31, 2010 at 6:30 pm PST.
One of our members recently went to Thailand
One of our members here recently went to Thailand and in some of the pictures he posted elsewhere, they had trees in wicker pots that were eventually planted (pots and all). Seeing those reminded me of this thread, the wicker pots would act to air prune the roots. I have some ideas I want to test and need to select a few sacrificial plants to test them on (probably guavas). My concern will be getting water into the soil and the soii drying out in my very hot/dry enviro.
-Ethan
The above followup was added by Ethan-Bakersfield 9/9 on June 14, 2010 at 2:45 pm PST.
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