clay pots

[detroitfish]

was wondering why clay pots were bad?

detroitfish Reviewed by detroitfish on 12-13-2008. clay pots was wondering why clay pots were bad? Rating: 5

[Dutch Pimp]

I find them hard to transplant from. Hard to pull the plant out. Can't drill extra drain holes.

[Rusty Trichome]

If the clay (terra cotta) pots are lined, (painted/glazed), there is no real problem other than weight and fragility.

The fine roots worm their way into the tiny spaces in the clay's surface and as Dutch said...it makes it a pain trying to slide them out for transplant.
The clay (terra cotta) can 'breethe' too much, (drying out too quickly) plus it can absorb nutes and salts throwing-off your application rates and soil chemistry. (the clay can act like a sponge)
Also, you have to be much more careful when handling the clay pots, as they are heavier and more fragile than the plastic ones.

But in a pinch, if it's all you've got...they do work. Using a knife around the inside-edge to unfasten the roots before transplant may be necessary, but some might still be attached to the bottom of the pot so care must be taken.

[Sidewinder]

I found during my first grow, that terra cotta pots made it difficult to regulate watering. Even though I had two plants in seemingly identical pots, they both soaked up a lot of the water, and at different speeds which really threw off my watering/feeding schedule. And they are also a pain in the ass when it comes to transplanting. You can get very cheap plastic pots at Wal-Mart, and they will save you a lot of headaches in the future. :twocents: