Grower's guide
How fabric containers prune roots, what research has found, and why nurseries, tree farms and growers have relied on them for more than 40 years.
When a root reaches the smooth wall of a pot, it doesn't stop. It turns, follows the wall and keeps circling. Over time those roots harden in place.
Container-grown nursery stock is prone to circling roots. Left alone, circling roots can turn into girdling roots that wrap the trunk and restrict the flow of water and nutrients. Warning signs include early leaf drop, small leaves and canopy dieback.
A fabric container lets air through its walls. When a root tip grows to the fabric and meets dry air, the tip dries out and stops growing. The plant answers by pushing out new roots further back along that root.
Repeat that across the whole root zone and you get a dense, fibrous root system that fills the container, instead of a few long roots wrapped around the outside.
The fabric itself makes the difference. How it is made decides how much air reaches the root tips, how quickly the root zone dries and how many seasons the bag holds up. RootPro founder Matt came to grow bags from a textile manufacturing background, and the fabric in every RootPro bag is the result of years of experimenting with that balance.
What the research shows
Studies show FIVE times less root deflection and circling in fabric containers than in traditional pots.
Our grow bags are grey and breathable, they don't attract heat from the sun which keeps roots cool.
Caliper, height, leaf area and root ball quality are significantly greater in fabric containers than in traditional pots as soon as the second season.
Pruned roots jump after transplant. Faster root growth and less shock after planting
Digging a field tree with a tree spade removes about 90% of its root system. Fabric grow bags retain the entire root ball.
Wholesale nurseries use fabric pots from the propagation to container yard to produce liners and finished stock with fibrous, non-circling roots.
Tree farms grow above ground and in-ground, lift the whole bag at harvest, saving time and labour and keeping more of the roots with the tree.
Container berry and vegetable growers use them for drainage, aeration and cooler roots in full sun.
Landscape and municipal planting crews get trees with fewer circling roots to correct at planting time.
Fabric breathes, so the soil can dry faster. Plan for drip irrigation or a regular watering schedule.
Fabric bags must be removed at planting so they don't restrict future growth.
The advantage of fabric is the root system you grow and sell: fewer circling roots, more fine roots, and a root ball that's ready to grow out.
Questions
They greatly reduce it. Roots that reach the fabric are air-pruned and branch instead of circling. Typically about 80% less root circling in fabric grow bags than in plastic.
Usually, yes. Air and water vapour pass through the walls, so fabric dries faster than plastic. Most growers use drip irrigation or a regular schedule.
Yes. Either keep outside full with soil or empty them at the end of the season, rinse, let them dry and fold them flat for storage.
Check the size guide on our Fabric Grow Bags page, or send us what you're growing and we'll recommend a size.
Yes. RootPro sells online and in bulk. From 5-Packs to truck loads.
Why buy from RootPro
Ordering from a U.S. or overseas supplier can mean border crossings, exchange rates and fees you only see at the door. RootPro takes all of that out.
Your order ships from London, Ontario. Our bags are in stock and ready for you.
No surprise brokerage and duty charges when the box arrives. The price at checkout is the price you pay.
Pick a size, pick a pack, and check out. Buying nursery volumes? Request a quote for wholesale.
Questions about sizing or volume go straight to Matt.
519-870-8923 or mclarke@rootpro.ca.
Fabric grow bags & ground cover fabric, from one Canadian supplier.
Air-pruning fabric grow bags from 2 to 100 gallons, in 5, 20 and 50-packs. Bigger packs lower the price per bag.
RootPro fabric grow bags air-prune roots with a fabric developed and refined over years of testing. Order online in packs of 5, 20 or 50, or request wholesale pricing for nursery and farm volumes.
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