GrowPots

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I thought I’d take an indepth look at the GrowPot – and then if you fancy trying them out next year you’ll know exactly what to get yourself as a last minute pressie! And when it comes to anything Christmas 2010, late is better than never !

GrowPots are designed to be used with grow bags. You cut a circle the same size as the ‘inner pot’ of  GrowPot out of the grow bag, place the GrowPot on top and push down so that the watering spikes, which form part of the ‘outer pot’, pierce the bag.

Once in place, effective use depends on getting planting, watering and feeding right.

This is how it is explained :

Planting – Fill inner pot with similar compost as in bag (fill to indicated level). Hollow out the compost and place plant within hollow. At this stage you could tuck support strings under the rootball or put canes in beside the plants. Water plant in the inner pot (approx. 1 pint). Fill the outer trough with water to the top (4 pints), leave to slowly saturate.

Watering – Ensure that there are drain holes in top half of the bag. For 1st 2 weeks do not water outer trough, this will ensure a strong and healthy root system. For the next 3-4 weeks pour 2 pints in each outer trough every 2-3 days (preferably in the morning). But DO NOT let the inner pots compost dry out by watering once a week. Excess water will drain out from the drain holes in the bag, if this happens, do not water for a day. After 4-6 weeks your plants will send out secondary (water) roots and it will be necessary to increase the amount of water given to the outer trough. Once again, if excess water seeps out of the drain holes, miss watering for a day. Normally with mature plants, on hot sunny days, you should be filling up each outer trough every day. A simple check is to squeeze the grow bag at the drain hole end. If no water appears, fill up each outer trough ( approx 4 pints).

Feeding – liquid feed made to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply to the inner pot, approx. 2 pints is normally sufficient for 1 week. If any surface roots appear in the inner pot, cover lightly with compost.

I always like a product which comes with clear instructions and precise measurements on how to best to use it – on that basis alone I’m impressed with the GrowPot. If Father Christmas delivers, I’ll make sure he gets some nice tomato chutney to stash in his empty sledge for the homeward bound run.