Are root trainers any good?

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Are root trainers any good?

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Dreamcatcher

Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Posts: 82
Location: Brechfa Forest

Posted: Sun May 05, 13 8:54 pm Post subject: Are root trainers any good?
Dont know whether to invest in some root trainers for sowing runner beans, peas, sweetcorn etc. They seem to be a bit flimsy looking at all the reviews on them. On the other hand, I've got a box full of very large clear yoghurt pots lying about doing nothing. Maybe I should use these instead! Would a clear pot cause a problem?

john of wessex

Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 2130

Posted: Sun May 05, 13 9:10 pm Post subject:
I have used them in the past - nuff said. These days it's either Jiffys or pots

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4586
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 8:24 am Post subject:
I got root trainers last year, I like that they're compact/deep, but this year they are cracking. Very annoyed at this, for £8 a pop I wanted something pretty permanent

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 8:37 am Post subject:

We've had the same set of root trainers for about 10 years. Yes, they can split after a few years use but that hasn't stopped us using them. (Take care using them and store the used ones carefully for next season).

What I do like about them is that they do what they say, they have channels inside that train the roots down, rather than around the pot, and I think that makes a healthier plant. If you go for the deep ones then you can also get more plants in a tray compared to normal pots as you go for depth rather than girth.

catbaffler

Joined: 31 Mar 2009
Posts: 937
Location: Barry

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 5:19 pm Post subject:
I use the cardboard tubes from loo rolls then just plant the whole thing. Admittedly, the occasional root will find its way out, halfway down but generally they work ok and cost nothing - yay!

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45420
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 7:19 pm Post subject:
I think they're great been using them for years

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4586
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 7:23 pm Post subject:
I wonder if the newer root trainers are thinner...? I tried the loo roll thing but they just went mouldy

catbaffler

Joined: 31 Mar 2009
Posts: 937
Location: Barry

Posted: Mon May 06, 13 7:37 pm Post subject:
Mine go mouldy sometimes too but it doesn't seem to affect the result (although perhaps I shouldn't be tempting providence here...).

robkb

Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 11:39 am Post subject:
I've been using the same ones for three years now, no problems with splitting and they're great for beans and sweetcorn.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 2:21 pm Post subject:
I've been using plastic root trainers for years, and they are a bit of a mess now, but still seem to work. I have tried loo rolls for things like sweetcorn, but last year was the first year, so not a fair trial as nothing worked.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45460
Location: yes

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 5:36 pm Post subject:

catbaffler wrote:

I use the cardboard tubes from loo rolls then just plant the whole thing. Admittedly, the occasional root will find its way out, halfway down but generally they work ok and cost nothing - yay!

it works

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9714
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 6:15 pm Post subject:
I was given some root trainers and have used them for years - they are good for sweetcorn which have long roots, but I also grow sweetcorn in an assortment of pots - usually ex bedding plant modules donated to me. and they seem to work just as good as the root trainers. I think clear pots might be a mistake; roots like to be dark.

Dreamcatcher

Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Posts: 82
Location: Brechfa Forest

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 6:55 pm Post subject:

colour it green wrote:

I think clear pots might be a mistake; roots like to be dark.

A pity really as I have hundreds of them. I'll try a few and see what happens.

gray_b

Joined: 24 Jun 2011
Posts: 251
Location: Leafy Shires of the Midlands

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 7:07 pm Post subject:

I have been user clear liners (similar to root trainers) for growing walnuts, hickory and pecan trees in. As they have very long roots.

Anyhow my experiences in using them, are that if they are used for long term growing. The liners/trainers that are exposed to daylight have a tendency to grow moss down the insides in the compost. Whereas if they are packed into bins, the inner ones that are not exposed to daylight are perfectly OK.

However if used for short term growing, that is less than one season, there is no problem with moss growing. The roots do not seem to mind at all.

Dreamcatcher

Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Posts: 82
Location: Brechfa Forest

Posted: Wed May 08, 13 7:22 pm Post subject:
only using them for 2 months tops so should be ok Thanks

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