Question

Possible Plant Pot 1  

Possible Plant Pot 2   Hi Jeff and Jacob,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions - I've tried to read as many previous answers as possible, and I don't think you've touched on this particular topic.

I have a collection of the plastic pots you see in the pics - they're what my favorite Indian takeaway restaurant uses for takeout containers. I'd like to use them for longer-rooted plants like my pygmy sundews, capensis, and so on, but I'm concerned about the transparency.

As you can hopefully see in the picture, they are neither completely clear or completely opaque. I understand that it's not advised to use clear pots with some species. I'm wondering if you think I should stay away from these containers, or if you think they're opaque enough to prevent roots from trying to form plants? I would like to be able to use these both indoors (under a bank of 4 x T8 grow lights) and outdoors during the summertime here in Indiana.

I'd love to hear your insights on pot transparency, for those of us that like to recycle random objects into plant containers. I'd also be interested to learn more about the problems associated with clear pots - I understand that will encourage some plants to try to form new plants where they shouldn't be, but what is the actual negative effect on the mother plant if this happens?

Thanks again for all you do.

Answer
Hi Mark,

Sorry to put a wrinkle in the good re-purposing plan, but transparent pots are not good for a few reasons.  What happens in these is that roots can overheat in sunny conditions, roots grow away from the light limiting growing space sometimes, and you get algae forming in the pots.  Orchid pots like this exist, but that's different since you are dealing with plants that are often epiphytes where roots are exposed, and frequently grow in shadier conditions.  As you mentioned, plants that often form plants from their roots such as Drosera adelae would form a mass of new plants from the exposure provided they didn't cook.

Now having said all that, if you had opaque white containers, those can work fine since not enough light gets through to cause the same problem.  A well known Venus Flytrap grower in our state has custom made pots like this since flytraps like tall pots.

Now if you could wrap your clear containers with something to block the light out, you could still use them.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com