Hello,

I was thinking of ordering some of these 5-gallon air-pruning containers for my citrus. After reading several threads, they seem like good pots that could perhaps reduce the amount of root maintenance required.

http://www.rootmaker.com/rmprod.php

However, after reading the website, I was unable to determine the difference between the 5 gallon "Grounder" and the 5 gallon "Round", except a small difference in dimensions. Can someone enlighten me on this?

Cheers,

Ed.

The RootMaker Grounder is a full 5 gallon heavy duty injection molded container with hundreds of precise openings (holes) for girding roots in the fields. The Grounder has a series of vertical ribs and ledges that guide roots to hundreds of 3/32 inch diameter drilled openings all along the ledge for root girdling and water drainage from the container into the ground. The Grounder is designed to set on the ground or better yet if the soil drains well, to be inserted in the soil either by using an auger or digging a hole. Roots grow out through the many openings but are consistently girdled. A soilless mix works best in the Root Maker Grounder container, whether used setting on the ground or inserted in the ground. If used setting on the ground, the Grounder works best when surrounded by a good mulch to reduce container temperature and to prevent blow-over. If inserted in the ground the soil temperature will be lower compared to an above ground container, so a shorter term release slow-release fertilizers are needed. For example, use a combination of 19-6-12 and 18-6-12 instead of 17-7-12 Osmocote. The 5-gallon RootMaker II container is designed to be used above ground only. The 5-gallon RootMaker II is a thermoformed or vacuum formed container. The design uses a series of horizontal ledges to intercept roots after they extend out and contact the sidewall. With the natural outward direction of the roots plus the effect of gravity encouraging roots to grow down, the root tips stay against the outside wall and on the ledge until they reach the opening to be air pruned. To further insure that the roots stay on the ledge until they get to the opening the container uses a recess in the ledge. I have used RootMaker containers for a while, and I find them absolutely the finest and most successful method of growing container citrus. - Millet

Millet,

Thanks so much for your reply. Just to verify, the "above ground" type (which is what I want) would be the "5-Gallon Round" RMI-5R (the blueish one)? The reason I'm asking is because it is not listed under "Rootmaker II", so I just wanted to be sure.

Cheers,

Ed.

Ed, yes it is. Sorry for the "II" , the "II" is the designation for the smaller germinating containers. The RMI-5R is the container you want. It does look blue on the internet, but the container is actually black. It is really a GREAT CONTAINER, there is none better on the market. - Millet

Millet,

Thanks for clarifying. Now, I just need to figure out what to do with all the extra containers I will have from the minimum order. . .wait, I can just buy more citrus! =)

Cheers,

Ed.

Todd,

I sent you a PM.

Ed.

I had one more general question of the experts here:

Is a 5-gal rootmaker container big enough to grow citrus long-term, or would it just be a transitional pot for a couple of years? If the citrus were on dwarf rootstock, would this help?

Cheers,

Ed.

do they make one larger than 5 gal say 15 or 20 thanks

endietz, every container is a transitional container for a couple of years, unless you want to begin root and foliage pruning the tree. Nospice, after a tree grows out of the 5 gallon size container then you purchase a 100 foot long roll of either the 18 or 30 inch high Root Builder material. With the Root Builder you can make containers up to 250 gallons in size. - Millet

thanks millet. could you put inside another pot?

Yes, when the tree out grows a 5 gallon container, you can purchase larger containers to transplant into. If your asking can you put a container made from the RootBuilder material into a larger container, the answers is you don't need to. The RootBuilder containers can stand on their own. - Millet

Millet- can you post a link to the 30 inch high rootmaker 100ft roll.

When you make the containers from the roll, does the container have a bottom- i.e, can youy lift up the container and move it around or do you need to leave it on permanently on the ground with the ground acting as the bottom of the container?

Also could I put the containers I make into a slightly larger regular containers if I want to do that for asthetic reasons without losing the benefit of rootmaker container?

www.rootmaker.com

5-gallon Root Builder containers have an attached bottom. Larger Root Builders containers do not have an attached bottom. For larger containers you use either polyethylene or a Root Trapper felt mat that you can purchase from Root Maker company. However, when the tree's root system is developed enough, the container can be moved easily with out much loss of growth medium. If you make a Root Builder container, and then set it inside another container, just be sure that the outside container is a minimum of 4-inches larger all the way around. This would give a large enough air space to air root prune, by root desiccation. The 4-inch space would also be required maintain the lower humidity level, that is required for efficient air root pruning. - Millet

Thanks millet -

does anyone know of a source to buy these type of containers without spending a minimum of $50? (does not necessarily have to be from rootmaker- i think there are other manufacturers of similar containers though I cant find their websites).