Are black platstic buckets ok to grow in?

I've been looking for decent pots at my local hardware shops and nurseries, but they don't have anything I see as fit. "Fit" being deep enough (height) or they're just too pricey for the construction of the planters. Then I started thinking why not try a black bucket? I was thinking something along the lines of : http://www.hydroshop.ca/english/black-bucket-19l.html

Yes it's expensive, but then so are the other ones that didn't look like they'd fit the bill.

SO....all I want to know is : Are the black plastic buckets I've provided a link for, sturdy enough for me to grow in? Of course I'd have to drill holes in the bottom (and maybe on the sides as well) for air but will they work?
Please advise.

Gr8ness said:

SO....all I want to know is : Are the black plastic buckets I've provided a link for, sturdy enough for me to grow in? Of course I'd have to drill holes in the bottom (and maybe on the sides as well) for air but will they work?
Please advise.

Click to expand...

Those buckets will be fine. What you want to avoid are clear containers. Black is fine.

Those containers are fine. I would caution you about drilling too many holes in the pot.
3 or 4 pencil-sized holes in the bottom will suffice. Do not drill any holes in the side of
the pot. We reccommend flushing each pot at least twice in the growing process and
holes in the sidewall are not a good idea.

Good luck, BigSteve.

Sweeeeet.

Why not a 5 gallon bucket from HD or Lowes? Cost is under $3 and the only difference is the color.

I have ~40 of various colors, but I'm liking the silver from Lowes.

Wet

Most nurseries or hydro shops have black plastic pots ranging from one gallon up to a hundred. They have the rubber ones, and cheap thin plastic ones even cheaper. Like cheaper than buying an actual bucket, and they have lots of good drainage holes already

I get my black buckets from www.usplastic.com
Shipping might be the decider for you.

Gr8ness said:

I've been looking for decent pots at my local hardware shops and nurseries, but they don't have anything I see as fit. "Fit" being deep enough (height) or they're just too pricey for the construction of the planters. Then I started thinking why not try a black bucket? I was thinking something along the lines of : http://www.hydroshop.ca/english/black-bucket-19l.html

Yes it's expensive, but then so are the other ones that didn't look like they'd fit the bill.

SO....all I want to know is : Are the black plastic buckets I've provided a link for, sturdy enough for me to grow in? Of course I'd have to drill holes in the bottom (and maybe on the sides as well) for air but will they work?
Please advise.

Click to expand...

yes, lot of people actually use them. i use them for DWC in hydro. for soil i would drill holes on the bottom sides as well. roots really love oxygen along with water. they dont like being suffocated with only water.

you wanna save some money go with a 5 gallon grow bag. there like cents a piece. these things http://www.amazon.com/Gal-Grow-Bag-10-ea/dp/B002JLCG4G

also what i switched to are called smart pots or dirt pots. http://www.greners.com/i/pots-tables-reservoirs/products/smart-pots.html they're made of a fabric which water goes through but holds all your dirt. they dry out faster and get the roots much more oxygen. also i like how they have no holes, the water just goes through the material. one problem with holes is if you have bugs they like to hide in the holes. especially fungus gnats!

the links i posted are just examples. probably not the greattest prices so if you go with them you may have to search around more for a better price. i get all my supplies at a local hydro/garden supply store.

BlueBalls said:

I get my black buckets from www.usplastic.com
Shipping might be the decider for you.

Click to expand...

That's the company I use. Last order I got 5 black 5 gallon buckets for $19.97/shipped. You cant beat that unless you go to Home depot or lowes and buy them in person. And im not one to leave my house so....

NO! No one uses black plastic buckets... EVER! LOL

sorry couldn't resist YES those will work just fine... tho they are easily twice what you should be paying....

alp

you can get free 4, 2, 1 gallon pots at Low's if they have any from customers that bring them back for recycling.They will be at the outside garden center