Field Growing in Grow Bags

[Maiden69]

You are showing an above the ground fabric container. Those that are used in ground are unwoven fabric that allow hair roots to grow through them, restricting the woody roots. It is a whole different breed of animal. I don't think many people understand them unless they have used them.

depends on the bag. Root Pouch (the brand) Boxer Line (above ground only), Black and Gray Line (above and inground) contain the roots inside and don't allow them to escape. The Charcoal and Thin Black do allow fine roots out, as it is an "air-pruning" bag. The Black and Gray prune by entrapment.

When used In-ground the natural fibers draw water from surrounding soil. When used for pot-in-pot the pouches prevent roots from penetrating fabric because it prunes by entrapment rather than air pruning. When used above ground roots are still pruned.

 

[penumbra]

It has to be experienced and evaluated to be understood.
There are many inconsistencies in this thread and in the use of grow bags altogether. In the days long before Root Pouch, when Root Control were the only bags out there, these early bags were very heavy non woven fabric like the heaviest of landscape fabrics. The would not degrade and when they could be saved they were sometimes reused. They still allowed the fine roots to penetrate easily enough. Many of the newer bags are made for various purposes which was not true in the early days. This confuses the whole issue for a lot of people.
In a nutshell, if the idea of grow bags appeals to you, try it. Results are going to vary. If it sounds wrong to you, walk away .... at least at this time. Fifty years ago many believed the grow bag was the answer to in ground growing. Now you hang grow bags with tomatoes planted upside down. It seems the entire concept is still in its adolescence and may not grow up until we are growing plants in space. I don't think it will ever perish though.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Awesome thread. I listened to the podcast with Telperion and they did mention that they place the trees on top of a barrier (board, etc) inside of the grow bags themselves to encourage horizontal nebari. Going to order some Root Pouch shortly. From what @penumbra shows in his pictures, and in concept, this approach would also be a space-saver for a growing area, right? Less reach from the roots and therefore able to squeeze more trees into an area for development. Worth a try!

 

[tgooboon]

I would recommend leaving some space between so light can get in to lower branches, and by having them too close encourages a really moist environment which aphids love (depending on the species your growing. I tried jamming them in nearly next to each other to fit more trees in the same space, but after a while i ended up separating them to 450mm centers, for lighting and for ease of access.

Another thing you will want to consider is leaving a gap between every second the row - enough to kneel or lay down in - I have found myself needing to get right down to the ground level to do some work - just branch/trunk selection, adding fertilizer, wiring.

the 450mm will still be a minimum if your trying to get vertical growth, but if your trying to grow side branching you may want to increase more.

Another thing - I would try using a higher area with good drainage or mound the area up or do it on a slight slope, otherwise I have found the bags being like a sump which collects water in the potting medium compared to the soil around it. this was not a problem for plants which love having wet feet, but for pines and junipers, not ideal to create a swampy environment.

The board in the bag does really help create a good root spread. Good luck

 

[penumbra]

Good advice above^^^^
Mine are all in grow beds that are narrow enough to get to them all. And do give them some space to grow. My earliest plantings were too crowded and needed spacing the next year.