A 1 gallon C10-Net-Pots™ (left) is compared to the growth of a Trade 2 gallon standard. The resulting plant has a better stem caliper and more density than the plant grown in the standard container. The grower used less soil mix and achieved better results under the same conditions and practices.
Root ball temperatures in container grown plants can be critical to maintaining a health. Many studies have concluded that elevated root ball temperatures as a result of heat absorbing black plastic containers can reach 120 degrees F. or higher.

These temperatures literally bake the roots on the hot side of the container. Better Plastics, Inc. of Kissimmee, Florida has recently released a plant container series that effectively reduces the root ball temperature and provides a beneficial method of air-root pruning. Offered as the Net-Pots™ series, Better Plastics has begun the production of 1 gallon and 3 gallons sizes for field and greenhouse growers. The Net-Pots™ are manufactured by injection molding polypropylene in two types. One plastic blend known as homo polymer, is designed for temporary use and to be shipped with the plant when sold. The other blend is known as co-polymer which is designed for multiple uses in production step-up programs. The homopolymer type seems to be more than adequate for use up to two years in the field. Another discovered benefit of Net-Pots™ is that it actually reduces the root ball temperatures during the entire growing season to near ambient levels without excess dry-out.