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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Using screen for grow bags to start cuttings/seedlings
 
 


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Rob

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I kinda had an a-ha moment, or maybe it's a duh moment.  There has been much discussion about what is the best type of pot or bag in which to start cuttings.  There are the little baggies, there are plastic cups, 32 ounce clear containers, etc. 

I'm sure there are many good ways to do it, but I had sort of settled on 32 ounce clear plastic containers with a bunch of holes in them (I use a soldering iron to make the holes). 

They work pretty well for three primary reasons:
1. they allow me to see what's going on and
2. they are large enough that the cutting can stay in there for a long period of time, probably until it is time to go outside and
3. they are durable enough to be re-used for many years. 

However, they have some drawbacks as well.  The three major ones are:
1. They are very stiff, which means it can be difficult to take the cuttings out when the time comes.  I have had to actually use a knife along the sides to cut them out. 
2. They promote circling of the roots.
3. It is easy to over-water and create a soupy mess that can hurt cutting success rate. 

I've started using fabric grow bags/pots and have been pleased with the results.  So I thought why not try something similar for rooting?  What if I took regular plastic mosquito screen from the hardware store and cut it into rectangles?  For example, If I wanted something 4 inches in diameter and 10 inches high, I would just cut a rectangle 12 inches high and 4 X pi (12.56 inches) long.  In other words approximately 1 square foot.  Then roll it up and staple it together.  Fill with potting mix, and voila.  I can get a 100 sq ft roll for $20, meaning $0.20 per pot. 

I would retain all the benefits of my clear plastic containers except durability.  But at that price, who cares if they only last one season?  Seems like they wouldn't really have any drawbacks, except possibly they could dry out quickly.  However they could be placed in a humidity bin if one was going out of town for a couple weeks, and I'm sure they'd be fine. 

Anyway, seems like a very cheap and effective solution with readily available materials. 

Any thoughts?  Has anyone tried anything similar? 
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Rob
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http://rbfigs.webs.com/
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
The roots may stick to the screen.  That's the biggest advantage to the plastic bags - the roots don't stick much.
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figpig_66

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
It would stop the chance of rotting
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Charlie

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
It will act just like the air pot.  Roots will grow through and die on the tips.  The rest of the root will put out side roots. If you can figure out the watering for your situation they will probably be the best you ever have grown. You will find by turning them inside-out after stapling will hold better.  I was thinking of trying some with velcro this year.  Nylon screen should last many seasons.  
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greysmith

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I tried small fabric bags for rooting. The big problem was getting them in and out without braking the roots. I found them not worth the effort. Maybe screen will work better, but I'd sure try one or two before buying a whole roll.
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Rob

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Thanks for the comments.  I hadn't thought about the root breakage issue.  I'm sure that could happen if one isn't careful.  If I did it I think I would leave them in the screen pots until they were really strong so that root breakage wouldn't be a major concern. 
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Rob
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DonCentralTexas

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Check out these from Greenhouse MegaStore...http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/root-pouch-black-fabric-pot-12-15-month/fabric-pots

They also have others that last longer.

I purchased the one gallon size, but they come in smaller as well.  Best thing is because they degrade so fast one could just place bag and all into ground/container kinda like a jiffy pot.

I just up-potted from clear cups to these, I like them, you need to stuff them full, and they seem to hold more than the gallon pots I was using.

I have not tried them for cuttings yet, but I have certainly been thinking about it.  I'm still fiddling with the mix for them, so far pine bark and perlite, I want them to dry out quickly.
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