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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.
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