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People have been using plastic pots in their gardens for a long time. It’s logic.
Plastic pots are inexpensive and come in a variety of styles, patterns, and colors, making them easy to match your garden or home aesthetic.
However, they have several drawbacks, the most important of which is their effect on the environment.
These days, more and more people are moving away from traditional pots and adopting more environmentally friendly gardening methods.
Bamboo pots are becoming more common, and as more manufacturers bring them to market, you may be wondering if they’re right for your plants.
We’ll look at their characteristics, why they might work for your plants, what’s good or bad about them, and where to find them. Here it goes:
Contents
What is a bamboo pot?
Bamboo, which belongs to the grass family, is a woody plant and you may have noticed it in photos or seeing the plant in person.
With over a thousand species growing in Southeast Asia and North America, people have put this wood to good use.
Not only does he make furniture, but he also makes cups, straws, and now flowerpots!
Therefore, it is one of the most useful natural materials on the planet and has a variety of properties that make it even more of an option.
A bamboo pot is mainly made of bamboo scraps mixed with a few binders.
Since bamboo is often used to make cups and furniture, for example, makers have plenty of leftovers.
Instead of letting it go to waste, green companies take these bits and combine them with resin and cornstarch to make molded jars.
After heating and pressurizing the molds, highly biodegradable pots are made.
These pots are ideal for anyone who strays from the terracotta route and doesn’t want to use plastic for their pots.
And here’s some good news: bamboo fiber pots come in a variety of colors.
You may think that all jars have muted or neutral colors that may not suit your aesthetic needs.
However, this is not the case. From blue to green to pink, you can find the color that best suits your home and gives it a modern finish.
In addition, the pots are very practical and work even better than most pots you will find on the market.
Are bamboo pots good for plants?
Yes, bamboo pots are good for plants. It makes sense that you wonder if using wood is a good idea for a planter. Bamboo is not like typical wood.
First of all, it is much harder than oak. Can you create it? It can handle more than oak, making it a great choice as a planter because it won’t let you down in bad weather.
Second, it does not swell or shrink based on water added to the pot. It allows water to support the plant instead of feeding the wood.
Let’s take a look at a few other characteristics that make it a suitable choice for this role:
energy
Even if it doesn’t look like it, bamboo has a very high resistance to compression.
It is even more resistant to external forces than wood and concrete, resulting in excellent pot behavior.
Moreover, it has a high tensile strength, which makes it resistant to internal forces.
Compared to other materials, the strength of bamboo is closer to that of steel, which makes it much stronger than softwood.
So if a plant’s roots try to escape from the pot due to root binding, they will have a hard time getting through.
Keep in mind that the resistance of the pot depends on the manufacturer, but it should be quite high.
shrink
When fresh, bamboo can shrink very quickly and manufacturers often have to work hard to avoid this.
However, once the wood dries, it becomes stable and is much less likely to shrink than other woods.
Therefore, it is possible to use it on mugs and other items that come into contact with water.
So even if you live in a warm environment, you don’t have to worry about the pot structure losing due to changes in humidity.
porosity
Natural materials are always the best option when choosing a pot for your plants, and bamboo is a great alternative.
A porous material breathes and ensures that enough air reaches the roots.
In addition, it promotes evaporation and when the water leaves the walls of the pot, the earth cools and attracts more water.
This mechanism allows excess water to drain from the pot and prevents root rot.
Of course, this has the disadvantage that the soil dries out quickly, which can put pressure on the plant.
All you have to do is make sure you water the plant enough and you should be fine. It’s a small price for a healthy plant.
Advantages of bamboo pots
Bamboo pots are very similar to plastic pots in that they come in different colors and shapes.
So if you want to have a vibrant look in your home or garden, you can still achieve that without harming the environment.
Second, they are durable and highly biodegradable, and once you use the jar, you can reuse it.
In addition, the jars are reusable. So once you spend the money on planters, you will get great value for money because bamboo planters are gifts that keep on giving.
Disadvantages of bamboo pots
The main disadvantage of bamboo pots is that they are still relatively new on the market and not as widely available as other pots, so finding them for your plants can be difficult.
As such, it can be difficult to source pots that are not between 8cm and 13cm.
How long do bamboo pots last?
A bamboo pot lasts an average of two to three years. Some manufacturers state that their pots can last up to four years.
It follows that you need a new pot approximately every three years. Since most plants have to be transplanted after such a long time, this is a good time.
Plus, since most jackpot games cost around $4 for five jackpots, you’ll get a good deal.
If you want a high-end pot, the cost is about $2 per pot every three years, which is reasonable.
Are bamboo pots sustainable?
Yes, bamboo pots are sustainable! Aside from the binders used to make the jars, everything else used in the manufacturing process is completely biodegradable.
You don’t have to worry about harming the environment if you eventually have to replace the pot.
In addition, bamboo is a fast growing plant and some species grow up to 4 centimeters per hour.
It doesn’t take much to grow, harvest and process this plant with minimal impact on the environment.
Investing in a bamboo planter or another sustainable plastic alternative is therefore a great way to save the planet.
You might also like: Why is my bamboo dying outside?
The 3 Best Bamboo Planters
You can get your bamboo pots from one of the following suppliers:
green tones
Green Tones obtains its bamboo scraps from the manufacture of placemats, chopsticks, decking and other areas.
They then mix the bamboo powder with organic cornstarch and a small amount of resin and food-safe dyes.
Its pots contain 70% bamboo powder, 20% resin and 10% cornstarch. Unlike most plastics used in the garden, these pots are BPA free.
haxnicks
Haxnicks offers a collection of bamboo fiber pots, saucers and seed trays. Unlike Green Tones, this manufacturer also uses rice starch in its processing.
So the pots can last about five years or more, even outdoors.
If you want to compost the pots after use, the process will take at least six months, although you can break the pots to increase the speed of composting.
There are no petroleum based products in these jars and they are all BPA free.
parisian garden
Paris Garden, which promotes urban agriculture, also offers organic bamboo fiber pots. The pots are all biodegradable and come in new designs and different shades.
The pots also come with a plant of your choice to add a gardening twist so you can start gardening right away!
How to choose a bamboo pot?
Bamboo pots have a number of advantages that other pots do not have. However, you still need to be picky to find a pot for your plants considering:
Emptying the pot
You will always want to opt for a pot that has plenty of drainage holes. It allows the roots to absorb oxygen and prevents them from drowning in water and rotting.
If you ever notice your potting soil smelling sour, it may be time to change your watering schedule or pot.
lester
If you plan to move the pot, you need to consider its weight.
Keep in mind that adding soil to the pot and watering will make it heavier. If mobility is essential, consider it at this point.
Final thoughts: Are bamboo planters good for plants?
All in all, if you are looking for a trendy, economical and biodegradable planter, a bamboo fiber planter would be a great place to start.
Happy gardening!
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to help you solve more of your gardening problems:
What is the best pot for a spider plant?
Can bamboo be grown in Florida?