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Post by willyswoodpile on May 8, 2011 13:04:01 GMT -5
I have noticed people using Grow Bags more and more lately. While my main interest is in using them for dwarfs I would like to know what your experience with using them is. Do you have links/sources for the strongest ones at the best prices: The pros and cons also. Bag thickness, colors, etc. ...? Likes, dislikes?
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Post by summerhawk on May 8, 2011 15:30:45 GMT -5
I have a buddy that uses them for blackberry propagation... He seems to like them. Black is the color that he uses. He told me he likes to use them because they are cost effective. The bags that he uses have drainage holes made into them. I am interested in the grow bags for greenhouse use. Does anyone have a favorite supplier of these bags? The 5 gallon size? That size should work great for dwarf and cherry tomatoes. I am wondering what other sizes they come in?
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maf
Breeder in Training
Posts: 102
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Post by maf on May 8, 2011 17:06:45 GMT -5
I make my own 5 gallon bags from landscape fabric, it works out dead cheap and they are pretty durable. It allows good oxygenation of the roots around the side of the container, similar to the Smartpots. If you know someone with a sewing machine, who can be convinced to sew them for you, then that is the best way to make them, but you can also use staples at the risk of gaps in the seams inbetween the staples. Pros: Dirt cheap Root aeration Can use less well draining (ie cheaper) potting mix than regular containers Cons: The work involved in making them
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Post by willyswoodpile on May 8, 2011 23:05:37 GMT -5
I make my own 5 gallon bags from landscape fabric, it works out dead cheap and they are pretty durable. It allows good oxygenation of the roots around the side of the container, similar to the Smartpots. If you know someone with a sewing machine, who can be convinced to sew them for you, then that is the best way to make them, but you can also use staples at the risk of gaps in the seams inbetween the staples. Pros: Dirt cheap Root aeration Can use less well draining (ie cheaper) potting mix than regular containers Cons: The work involved in making them Thanks maf. I have a mother and grandmother here who have already suggested making organza bags for me. The landscape fabric idea is superb. Thank you.
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Post by summerhawk on May 8, 2011 23:44:55 GMT -5
I make my own 5 gallon bags from landscape fabric, it works out dead cheap and they are pretty durable. It allows good oxygenation of the roots around the side of the container, similar to the Smartpots. If you know someone with a sewing machine, who can be convinced to sew them for you, then that is the best way to make them, but you can also use staples at the risk of gaps in the seams inbetween the staples. Pros: Dirt cheap Root aeration Can use less well draining (ie cheaper) potting mix than regular containers Cons: The work involved in making them That is a cool idea! Thanks
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Post by summerhawk on May 8, 2011 23:46:52 GMT -5
Thanks maf. I have a mother and grandmother here who have already suggested making organza bags for me. The landscape fabric idea is superb. Thank you. I bet your mother and grandmother could sell those "custom" organza style bags! I would buy some!
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Post by reubent on May 9, 2011 21:04:25 GMT -5
we got some from Hydrogardens long time ago, used for greenhouse vegetable growing, they worked OK.
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Post by mawkhawk on May 13, 2011 11:05:47 GMT -5
I have used grow bags that I purchased from Home Harvest. I like that they're inexpensive and last several years if you're careful with them. But they are difficult to move once they're filled. I used them in my little greenhouse where they'd stay put. If I was doing it again, I'd go with their Standard Duty 5 gallon Round Thermoformed Plastic Nursery Pots at $1.59 ea.
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PVP
Tomatophile
head spellerer
Only an Amateur
Posts: 798
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Post by PVP on May 13, 2011 12:13:05 GMT -5
I have a friend who grows 2 indeterminate vines per 5-gallon black fabric grow bag filled with coir and fertigated every six hours in hoop houses.
For growing dwarf tomatoes outdoors, I prefer the 4-gallon blow formed nursery tubs for the same reasons expressed by Mawkhawk. For indeterminates, I use 7 - 10 gallon heavy duty tree tubs, one vine per tub.
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hillbillypie
Breeder in Training
Tomato Growing Nutjob
Posts: 210
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Post by hillbillypie on May 14, 2011 8:47:03 GMT -5
I got some 5, 7, and 10 gallon bags to try this year. They are really awkward. I ended up not using them for tomatoes because until the plants root in really well they loose their shape when you water. I had to prop them up with bricks. So I ended up not using them for tomatoes but I did put some potatoes in them. Potatoes root in much faster than tomatoes and they are working pretty well. They are really cheap and I will use them again for potatoes. The 10's are monsters and take a lot of soil. I think I will use the 7's for all of my potato growing next year. Here is a good source. www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/grow-bags/growing-pouches-and-bagsDo you need pictures?
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Post by willyswoodpile on May 14, 2011 10:43:40 GMT -5
If you have one of the mater plant losing it's shape that would be cool for a reference [but I can picture that one already ]. And one of the different sizes with potatoes in them would be fine also. It seems that life size pics... in action, are better for reference material than looking in a catalog. Terry
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