Growing Systems

We use two types of growing system - surface mounted air pots and root control bags.

Air Pots

What are they?

Made from 100% recycled high-density polythylene (HDPE), the Air Pot is a proven, revolutionary growing system which encourages root systems to be developed quickly. Air Pots have unusual walls made up of closed inward pointing cones and open-ended outward pointing cones. There are no flat surfaces which deflect the roots and start the spiralling process. The inward pointing cones direct the roots further outward to the open ended cones. Because the air density in the plant responds to this 'air pruning' it sends out more roots to compensate which leads to a dense root system with a vastly increased number of active white-tipped roots. As the outward growing root tips reach the boundaries of the Air Pot, the cones funnel them towards the holes, where they eventually dehydrate upon exposure to the air.

What are the benefits?

• Automatic, constant and gentle pruning that stimulates the root system to send out lots of lateral roots
• A hightly robust, densely fibrous root system made up of thousands of water absorbing white-tip roots
• This growing system eliminates root circling
• They can be planted and transplanted throughout the year with a virtual 100% success rate
• This growing system delivers superior performance in extremes of weather
• Fast and easy re-establishment

Root Control Bags

What are they?

The Root Control Bag is an in-ground fabric container which creates a significantly better (fibrous) root system whilst preventing excessive growth. It is ideal for large trees such as walnuts, chestnuts and mulberries as well as figs, which benefit from root restriction. It is the only in-ground root enhancement system which is positively advantageous to the root structure. The Root Control Bag keeps the large roots under control, retaining the energy of the tree within. Only the white fibrous feeding roots can pass through the material - this is essential as the plant needs to be able to absorb water and nutrients from surrounding areas. A tree grown in a Root Control bag can be transplanted to another site without causing stress even 10 years after it was originally planted.

What are the benefits?

• Automatic root pruning - the bag naturally root prunes a plant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This natural root pruning also induces a natural callusing on the root tip and a build-up of carbohydrates in the root structure which all help to ensure transplantation success
• Smaller root ball size - this type of growing system usually results in a ball size up to one half of the size of a traditionally dug ball. This means the tree is easier to move and handle
• Quicker plant re-establishment time - this growing system helps plants quickly establish themselves in their new environment. New root generation is vastly increased, actively preparing the plant's root structure to be moved
• Less risk of freeze damage in the winter, and heat exposure in the summer
• Improved root penetration - roots penetrate the fabric and go through the bag instead of circling.