Sinking pots

B

Bofig

Well-known member
Does anyone have experience burying part of your fig containers so the roots go out the bottom, then digging up each fall? I’ve seen it done on YouTube and was going to experiment with some. I’m hoping they don’t blow out the bottoms or get so big I can’t dig up. Here’s a photo of some I’m testing this with. I tilled the soil to make it easy to work with, then dug down a few inches, set the pot and moved soil back to level
 

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I’ve seen someone I think it’s Lou Monti that buries fabric pots each year. They root through the bag but not so bad he can’t dig up and move them in winter.
 
I took a screenshot of a pic that was posted in an old post because I liked the idea so much. I don't remember if it was posted here or at the other place but if I remember correctly it is a tree that belongs to one of the moderators here. It's looks kind of like what you are talking about but I don't know if the roots are growing into the ground. I hope they don't mind me posting it. Maybe the original poster will chime in.

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Bofig said:
Does anyone have experience burying part of your fig containers so the roots go out the bottom, then digging up each fall? I’ve seen it done on YouTube and was going to experiment with some. I’m hoping they don’t blow out the bottoms or get so big I can’t dig up. Here’s a photo of some I’m testing this with. I tilled the soil to make it easy to work with, then dug down a few inches, set the pot and moved soil back to level
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I did in previous years in a 15-20 gallon resin pot with holes drilled in bottom and lower sides. I was surprised how many and far reaching the roots got in just one season. I probably averaged burying it around 6 inches and in the fall I dug a trench around the pot and rocked it back and forth to prune the roots. Work around the pot until you can get at the roots under the pot. A sharp spade may be easier to cut the roots coming out the sides.

The biggest advantage I noticed was the pot being stable during wind and thunderstorms. The only reason I elected not to bury this year is I planted a tree inground at that location.
 
ETXfigs said:
I took a screenshot of a pic that was posted in an old post because I liked the idea so much. I don't remember if it was posted here or at the other place but if I remember correctly it is a tree that belongs to one of the moderators here. It's looks kind of like what you are talking about but I don't know if the roots are growing into the ground. I hope they don't mind me posting it. Maybe the original poster will chime in.

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That’s my tree - it’s now planted inground in that location.
 
Absolutely! It's a great idea. So many benefits!

You don't need to sink them deep but if you have issues with overheated pots, this will help a lot

The roots will crawl out the bottom and scrounge for water and nutrients. It'll behave (a little) more like an in-ground tree.

When the roots dig in, it will prevent the tree from blowing over in the wind later in the season when they are top heavy with figs. (perhaps my favourite benefit)

**One tip. If you live in an area with a longer season, growing lots of roots... cover any bottom holes in the pot and only have them along the sides at the bottom... this way you can easily chop them with a spade when you have to move them in fall.... otherwise you'll be breaking your back trying to get under to chop the roots.
 
I did this one year with about 12 trees in 7 gallon nursery pots. Some where not to bad to dig up at the end of the season. Some however had thick long roots coming out the holes in the bottom and sides of the pot. It was quite a struggle to get those out of the ground. Never did it again. But I think the trees liked the access to the soil, but my back not so much.
 
I'm trying this with a small tree this year. One I don't like enough to put In ground permanently. If it lives ill try this with more things. So far it's working out
 
ETXfigs said:
I took a screenshot of a pic that was posted in an old post because I liked the idea so much. I don't remember if it was posted here or at the other place but if I remember correctly it is a tree that belongs to one of the moderators here. It's looks kind of like what you are talking about but I don't know if the roots are growing into the ground. I hope they don't mind me posting it. Maybe the original poster will chime in.

View attachment 8254
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@GilaMonster What a Beautiful looking Fig Tree. @Bofig LOL I have only done something like that with dragon fruit.
 
TorontoJoe said:
Absolutely! It's a great idea. So many benefits!

You don't need to sink them deep but if you have issues with overheated pots, this will help a lot

The roots will crawl out the bottom and scrounge for water and nutrients. It'll behave (a little) more like an in-ground tree.

When the roots dig in, it will prevent the tree from blowing over in the wind later in the season when they are top heavy with figs. (perhaps my favourite benefit)

**One tip. If you live in an area with a longer season, growing lots of roots... cover any bottom holes in the pot and only have them along the sides at the bottom... this way you can easily chop them with a spade when you have to move them in fall.... otherwise you'll be breaking your back trying to get under to chop the roots.
Click to expand...
Genius thank you! I will file this away for use
 
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