Growbox alternative

[simonm]

Hey,
i have yet to aquire a grow box and i was wondering if there is any alternatives.
i did read a topic that suggested plant the tree in the ground but over a plastic or another "root proof" material so the roots dont travel to far. is that a good idea?

Simon

[LZRD84]

any fresh produce market would have stacks of those styro boxes in the back, there's even the option of coles or woolies... surely you have one of those nearby.

[simonm]

i do but i was wondering if i could just stick my tree in my veggie patch(which is empty-ish) as long as i could keep the roots from going everywhere.

[Jamie]

yes you can if you dont want to get the styro boxes, if you are going to ground grow then there is no point putting anything around it you might aswell get the styro boxes. putting an old plate directly under the tree or similar with the roots draping over the plate will help with nebari spread.

ground growing will give you quicker results but you will need to do more root work when it comes out of the ground over time, downsizing in pots every year or two at repot times to get it into the desired size pot.
the beauty of the styro boxes are they may not be as fast as ground growing but it gives the roots room to grow without going down massivly with tap roots and it also helps keep them horizontal which is what you want!


jamie

[buddaboy]

You can also get a large tile ie 300X300mm and put it under the tree in the ground. this will help keep the first section of roots horizontal. I read this somewhere, but cant remember where.
Buddaboy

[Chris H]

Jamie
Ive recently put a couple of black pines in the ground and they are not doing as well as the ones in the grow on pot.

Big advantage of poly box is that you can put it in the best position based on the time of year. Also I think the free draining soil (I use one third orchid mix with Scoria and some crushed granite) means that the roots are SOOOOOO much better in the box.

[gordonb]

Another thing to do with the tile is drill a hole in the middle [with a masonry bit] just a bit bigger than the tap root, and as the tree grows, it will self prune the tap root [ in a year or so] and the laterals will take over. I got good growth of an elm in my veggie patch btw, over just a year.

[Jamie]

yes, this is what i am saying though mate, grow boxes are a better option, in my opinion, what i was saying bout ground growing is that it can be faster, maybe not for 1-2 years but then it will boom! if not within the second year. i prefer grow boxes though, one i can control everything, two i can put them in the best spot for them like you said, three its convenient as i am renting and i could end up moving every so often, contracts only last so long.

its JMO though.

hope i cleared up my reasoning


jamie