Every container nursery has to find pots that optimally fit their operations. This means they need to be well suited for the crops grown, optimize growing space and – ideally – be economical.
The founder of JLPN Inc., a liner producer in Salem, Ore., thinks he’s discovered the answer for his company with square containers.
These bottomless, root-pruning pots allow the company to fit more liners per greenhouse. Owner John Lewis estimates he can fit 20 percent more of these pots per growing space opposed to round containers.
“There’s no dead space,” said John Lewis. “You can fit 20,000 square pots in the same space you can fit 16,000 circular pots. Plus you’re getting more soil volume. That makes a difference.”
Two sizes of the Anderson pots are used: 2 7⁄8 inches across by 5 1⁄2 inches deep and
Since these pots are not a solid flat, Lewis said this further allows JLPN to maximize space.
“If you’re using flats, and cuttings don’t take, you’re going to have holes,” he said. “With individual containers we can consolidate, which increases our production capabilities. It’s a lot cheaper than building more greenhouses.”
Lewis reuses the containers and has gotten 10 years out of single pots.
“They last a really long time. When we don’t send them out to a customer, we reuse them, and they work fantastic.” John said. “Plus they’re only 12 cents a pot. Most air-pruning containers out there are 30 cents or more per cell.”
For more: JLPN Inc., (877) 490-7844, www.jlpnliners.com.
Bottomless, root-pruning pots allow JLPN Inc. to fit more liners per greenhouse to help eliminate dead space issues.
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