Depth vs width for max growth? Assuming Equal volume
This is a question that has always been in my mind. When trying to maximize growth and thickening. Does depth or width matter assuming equal pot volume ?
I think it depends on what you’re going for. From my understanding, deep roots will help young trees grow taller, quicker. The other style of pot is more focused on training the roots for a good nebari. I’m still very much a beginner, but I put anything under 2 years old in a deep pot and just try to make sure the roots are laid out as radially as possible. Definitely interested to see what others say.
fujigrid
Good question. I dont have the answer but some input. Weirdly, shallow pots drain slower. So that’s something to take into account. Generally you want your roots to grow outward, so a shallow wide pot is ideal for achieving this. At the end of the day, the best luck I’ve had with “growth maxing” is pond baskets or something where the soil gets lots of oxygen.
Sonora_sunset
Assuming all else is equal (soil, exposure, frets, etc.) I think the deeper pot, because it has a taller water column which means more consistent moisture levels for the roots.
finnymo92
I’ve been hearing that if you want growth and a thicker trunk, throw it in the ground for a few years, then dig it up and cut it back
Serentropic
The other comments here are correct I believe. A few tangential points I’ll add, from my few years of experience.
* Tall pots are much less stable in the wind. If you’re using regular nursery pots, it’s worth securing them.
* You can use a false bottom like a felt disc or ceramic tile to help control nebari in a deeper container, but you’ll still get thick diving roots around the edges that need occasional management.
* Deep pots are more forgiving of organic soils and shallow pots are more forgiving of aggregate soils.
5 Comments
I think it depends on what you’re going for. From my understanding, deep roots will help young trees grow taller, quicker. The other style of pot is more focused on training the roots for a good nebari. I’m still very much a beginner, but I put anything under 2 years old in a deep pot and just try to make sure the roots are laid out as radially as possible. Definitely interested to see what others say.
Good question. I dont have the answer but some input. Weirdly, shallow pots drain slower. So that’s something to take into account. Generally you want your roots to grow outward, so a shallow wide pot is ideal for achieving this. At the end of the day, the best luck I’ve had with “growth maxing” is pond baskets or something where the soil gets lots of oxygen.
Assuming all else is equal (soil, exposure, frets, etc.) I think the deeper pot, because it has a taller water column which means more consistent moisture levels for the roots.
I’ve been hearing that if you want growth and a thicker trunk, throw it in the ground for a few years, then dig it up and cut it back
The other comments here are correct I believe. A few tangential points I’ll add, from my few years of experience.
* Tall pots are much less stable in the wind. If you’re using regular nursery pots, it’s worth securing them.
* You can use a false bottom like a felt disc or ceramic tile to help control nebari in a deeper container, but you’ll still get thick diving roots around the edges that need occasional management.
* Deep pots are more forgiving of organic soils and shallow pots are more forgiving of aggregate soils.