Far too many debates about horticultural containers centre purely on cost and machinery constraints, ignoring completely the most important issue: the development of a good root system. This has to be the single most important consideration, when deciding on the best container.

Cheap pots are for cheap plants. A rigid pot unfortunately has its place in the mass production of plants. However, for quality growers concerned with the long-term viability of the stock they produce; for growers of 'difficult' species, which simply do not survive in a rigid pot; and for growers who suffer losses through heat in summer or cold/wet in winter, there's more to consider than saving one or two cents on the price of a pot.

Container growing is ever more prevalent, with more and more growers converting from field growing every year. This is the way the market is taking growers and dynamic, progressive nurserymen and women are seeking out containers that get around the old container problems - root spiralling, root rot and death through temperature extremes.

The Superoots Air-Pot is proving the answer. The unusual egg-box shaped walls, with air-holes in the outer cones, eliminate circling. Every root is air-pruned at the side wall. As each root is pruned more and more are sent out from the stem to compensate, resulting in the build-up of a dense mass of radial roots, ready to help the plant re-establish as soon as it is planted out in the landscape.

With so much root activity throughout the growing media, rather than just at the outer wall as in traditional rigid pots, plants in Air-Pots are not so vulnerable to extremes of heat and cold. The Air-Pot is providing the answer to growers in Norway and Sweden, where container growing in deep frost has been impossible - or at least very high risk - in the past. And also in Saudi Arabia, where the intense heat presents such a difficult challenge. Cherrylake Tree Farm in Florida no longer has to bury its containers to protect against heat (Pot-in-Pot), as the Air-Pot looks after the root system on its own.

An added bonus is that more air in the soil promotes aerobic activity. Roots thrive in such a healthy environment, resulting in increased growth rates.

David Ressler, Production Director of Cherrylake Tree Farms comments on the nursery's complete conversion to the Air-Pot: "The difference in root out and growing time is spectacular with trees grown in Air-Pots. Take, for example, a 2" caliper, 10' tall Quercus virginiana. It used to take 9 months to root out the tree when shifting from a conventional container, it now only takes 6 months coming from an Air-Pot. Trees are ready for sale 3 months early--we save 30% of root out time. Caliper growth is increased by up to 10% over this time period. This is a break through in production practices. We are getting a better tree with lower production costs. We know the Air-Pot is the way to go."

The excellent drainage of the Air-Pot also eliminates root rot. The investment in the conversion to Air-Pots paid off in the very first year for English fruit grower, Frank P Matthews. The nursery was accustomed to losing between 20-40% of its stone fruit crop, losses that have been all but eliminated with the introduction of the Air-Pot, making a massive saving for the company.

Managing Director, Nick Dunn confirms: "Air-Pots produce the best root system of any type of tree pot we have used. They provide the tree with super anchorage early in life and ensure quick and stress-free establishment."

Thus, the pursuit of quality pays off. Investment in the right container pays dividends with survival rates quickly reaping rewards for growers and their customers.

Guy Meacham of J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. is also extremely positive: "We have been doing trials with Air Pots for a two years now producing tree liners that are difficult to transplant or don't grow well in a container. They have seen a significant improvement in both root quality and quantity, and initial results from transplanting these liners to the field are very promising."

Thus growers and their customers are reaping the benefits of the Air-Pot and their commitment to quality.