Grow Bags and Fabric Pots - Why I No Longer Use Them for Fig Trees

The video discusses the pros and cons of using fabric pots and grow bags for growing fig trees, ultimately concluding that plastic pots are preferred for main crop fruit production due to better soil moisture consistency and overall tree health. Fabric pots, while cheaper and durable, often dry out or become too saturated quickly and present difficulties during transplanting. Although fabric pots promote root pruning, the negatives outweigh the positives for long-term use.
To read more about the right pot size and other materials for growing container fig trees, check out this article on the Fig Boss blog: www.figboss.com/post/containe...
Introduction (0:00):
Discussing fabric pots and grow bags for fruit trees, particularly figs.
Fabric pots pros (0:34):
Cheaper and durable, but do not replace plastic pots.
Use of plastic pots (1:03):
Preference for plastic pots for main crop fruit production due to better performance.
Grow bags' issues (1:41):
Trees in grow bags often face problems and are kept in an infirmary area.
Soil moisture inconsistency (2:15):
Grow bags dry out or become saturated too quickly, leading to inconsistent soil moisture.
Health concerns (2:48):
Trees in grow bags appear less healthy.
Transplanting difficulty (3:16):
Need to cut the grow bag to avoid root damage and transplant shock.
Root pruning benefit (3:47):
Grow bags help with root pruning, creating a better root system.
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Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia

[@pswanberg1]

5 gallon fabric pots covered with a 5 gallon plastic grow bag.
The Fabric still breathes through the top handles (tons of air root pruning) and the plastic bag prevents excess moisture loss while being white to keep the roots cool. There are actually tons of roots growing on the outside of the fabric pot between the bags.

[@CapricaSoul]

One things for shure, you cant have the SAME watering cycle for plastic pots and grow bags. For the grow bags I recommend coco coir. Holds the moisture quite well.

[@bwhatitiz707]

Bigger bags watered twice a day works for me. Up potting rooted cuttings into the taller bags also has been more successful than the short and wide standard bag.

[@Detour4it]

Excellent point

[@braniganrobertsonlaw]

You should try the Rootmaker Rootraper containers. They are way better than the fabric ones you are using. Use fabric if you plan to plant the tree in ground. But if you plan to stay in container, plastic is fine.

[@xaviercruz4763]

I talked back and forth with this growbag older guy manufacturer and what he also has in his documented experiments pdf is that they are for making a tree ready for going out to the field with many more roots and never rootbound and even 3 years was too much he says so in this case I find 10 dollars for a bag that is disposable because he does say that you have to cut it in the end so I thought it sucks and wondered if I could cut the tips of the roots and let the rest be but haven’t yet tried. I have bags inside 5 gallons buckets with drainage in around half or first 3rd of the bucket drilled for consistent moisture and protection from direct side winds and sun but yes they are a little pricey for being disposable. Grow olives in pots and bring them inside Ross! :)

[@Inpreesme]

I am still using fabric bags 9B Las Vegas Nevada, where it is hot dry and windy during the summer months, I have to monitor these bags daily and that the results are usually disappointing due to the fact that I cannot maintain a consistent moisture level in the soil. I have installed shade cloth over the entire garden I’m hoping for better results this year

[@GrowsGoneWild]

I had the same experience. Figs just not happy in them. I kept them consistently wet, but maybe the roots got too cold or something. My citrus do not like them either, but they do well in plastic.

[@wolfebilt]

I've had the 3 gallon bags for a few years for many of my younger figs.
The bags do last, which is nice.
I've found that the fabric pots don't do as well in with overwintering. I'm in zone 6, and keep my potted figs in a garage over winter.
This year, many of my younger fabric potted figs died off. I think the roots dried out, and they couldn't take the cold as a result.
I hadn't had this issue with figs in plastic pots ever.
I'll be staying with plastic pots for overwintering going forward.

[@user-qm4xf4ob4t]

Did you water them during overwintering?

[@Sam-yn1jq]

Not watering enough would be my guess too but when overwintering my figs in my garage (zone 6) I like to wrap bubble foil insulation around them, individually or as a group. Works great for insulating the grow bags.

[@wolfebilt]

I think I should have watered them.
I like to push to the limits so I can see the general tolerances of the plants.
Never had a problem with plastic pots and doing nothing while dormant, fabric pots not so much.

[@RossRaddi]

Agreed. They dry out too quickly in the winter.

[@TheOnlyKontrol]

You need to get some grassroots grow bags if you wanna use grow bags realistically…their side linings are a game changer and keep the moisture in way better. Probably not worth it for you at this point especially for figs but thought I would share.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

It's early in the season, and I am not encouraged when comparing fabric bags to in-ground or pots. A cross section of plants reveals the same issue. Water management.

[@royhughes2854]

I have to agree with you on the bags. I used them in the past for my tomato plants and peppers. None of my crops were as productive as the ones I grew in plastic.

[@Abbasshahsso]

Great idea,Myfigs true grew well fruiting heavily cooler April spring but come May unusual temperatures stated rising after 10 May from 33 -38 degrees Celsius very hot from 11 am to 5pm then temperatures drops to 25 degrees Celsius at night ,this shocking increase is in fact auto - claving like situation for humans but more 4:19 for plants.There r four tree in a row but figs on them started shrinking turning crimson colours &falling heavily,what you recommend I should do ? Thanks.Due high temperature watering them morning &evening..

[@gercody9722]

How about terra cotta or clay pots?

[@RossRaddi]

They're heavy and expensive. Otherwise, I'm a fan.

[@yvonnew.116]

I also found the fabric bag attracts ticks 😢😢😢

[@ofrecentvintage]

😧

[@davidkoba]

fabric pots suck. I get the same results if not better for all my plants from pots. The only thing they are good for is if you are gonna repot as it root prunes and prevents circling.

[@RainbowWarriorChris]

They are a pain to up pot. I hate it!!!

[@RossRaddi]

Good point.

[@RainbowWarriorChris]

And down here in south Mississippi, they dry out way too fast, and they drop figs if I don't water every day.

[@frostylonewolf1700]

grow bags are only good for certain things not fruit trees so grow bags are good just not for everything