Quote Originally Posted by tevfik
I recently bought 3,6 liter plastic pots, there were two different in store, i bought cheap ones. They're a bit ugly compared to originals and they smell very much like industrial plastic. I don't have much info about pots, so i'm just worried about these. Salesman said they're ok but anyway he wants to sell his goods. Is it ok to grow in them or can they effect on plants?

"they smell very much like industrial plastic."

Good question.
If, what you smelled is pthalates outgassing, it's a big problem.
Pthalates are softening agent that's used for plastic hose.
They are toxic to plants.

Can't think of a reason for it's use in ridgid plastic, but what do I know?
I don't even play a chemist on T.V.!

So, I doubt that's the case, but the fact that you can smell it means there's something coming off of it.
I don't know if Pthalates even have a discernable odor.


Had a similar situation here.
They smelled more like benzopyrines and styrene than, say vinyl.
Smell was strong enough that I didn't want to risk $10 seeds.

Tried running them through the dishwasher but it seems it was not an external contaminant .

So I planted some bagseed and some tomato seed in them.
They grew jus' fine, but I still did not like the smell and I'm picky about the aroma and taste of my meds, so I used those cheapies for outdoor ornamentals.


You can grow in anything.
All a container has to do is, contain, yah?

Got a friend who uses plastic bags.
No, not grow-bags.
Bread bags, kitchen trash bags, whatever blows his way.
Seems to work fine for him.
And I've used gallon milk jugs with the tops cut off for veg.


Then had a minor brainstorm on a nursery visit.
Pointed to a huge stack of 4" 'ling pots and offered to haul a few hundred away for them to "make room".
She grinned and allowed me to pay her 2 cents ea.

Aloha nui,
Weezard