Ways to stabilize/stiffen top rim of fabric pots?

I love my fabric pots, but I’m wondering if anyone has a good suggestion for stabilizing the top rim. I like to use wire secured to the side of the pot for low stress training, but the fabric pots are too flexible and get pulled in as I tie stuff down. Anyone have a suggestion to make the top rim stiffer? Thanks in advance if so!

DeadHeadX said:

I love my fabric pots, but I’m wondering if anyone has a good suggestion for stabilizing the top rim. I like to use wire secured to the side of the pot for low stress training, but the fabric pots are too flexible and get pulled in as I tie stuff down. Anyone have a suggestion to make the top rim stiffer? Thanks in advance if so!

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Figure out what diameter you want them to be, buy a metal ring that size.

When I was still using fabric pots, I attached my tied to the stems farther out than the edge of the pot, so they essentially pulled the pot out instead of in.

I dropped crazy glue on my shoelace once and it went rock hard and stayed that way. Maybe it will do the same to a fabric pot

Air pots are probably what you want.

I have switched my fabric pots to the AC Infinity fabric pots. They have a stiffer top and eyelets built in for low stress training. They cost a little more, but they are very nice quality.

I just bought, and am using, 7 gallon pots with metal rings sewn into the fabric. It makes loading grow medium much easier and if you need tie downs there are eyelets around the top of the pot.



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If you don't mind making baskets from plastic mesh for the fence.
This stabilizes not only the top, but the entire bag. If desired, the top can be reinforced with a ring of rigid wire.
It is easy to attach any strings for guy ropes and even a Scrog grill on four posts made of thick wire to the frame.

Put chicken wire around it and tie to that

DeadHeadX said:

I love my fabric pots, but I’m wondering if anyone has a good suggestion for stabilizing the top rim. I like to use wire secured to the side of the pot for low stress training, but the fabric pots are too flexible and get pulled in as I tie stuff down. Anyone have a suggestion to make the top rim stiffer? Thanks in advance if so!

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Someone said glue.. but maybe some extra holld hair gel?

Or a peony planter in the bag?

Hobbes said:

I just bought, and am using, 7 gallon pots with metal rings sewn into the fabric. It makes loading grow medium much easier and if you need tie downs there are eyelets around the top of the pot.

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Thanks. Mine have the rings, but when I tie off the wire, the fabric pot bends towards the point of tension. Some good suggestions here that I’ll try. Or simply work with the resistance that’s there, lol.

So one person recommends "fabric" pots that have walls made of solid plastic. Conventionally they are called plant pots. The next person recommends using stiff plastic with holes. Like the original air pots have.

Can someone explain to me what is so special about fabric pots that everyone wants to use it in the marketing? Why do air pots get ignored?

Lou66 said:

So one person recommends "fabric" pots that have walls made of solid plastic. Conventionally they are called plant pots. The next person recommends using stiff plastic with holes. Like the original air pots have.

Can someone explain to me what is so special about fabric pots that everyone wants to use it in the marketing? Why do air pots get ignored?

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I’ve heard pretty mixed reviews on the airpots and they’re expensive. Fabric pots are cheap and work great. I’m also pressed for space in my 3x3 and fabric pots have a lower profile. My only complaint is the LST issue, and that’s easily solved (even though I’ve been lazy about it). Lots of variety to choose from, certainly. Fabric pots cost a few bucks and can be reused indefinitely. Great for aeration, etc.

Use good old plastic nursery pots, problem solved. I’m not a huge fabric pots fan, if your watering practices are not spot on you can leave dry pockets creating all kinds of issues.

Funny we were discussing this last night. What I'm going to try is cutting up a few 5 gallon pails, and just using the rim...maybe 3 or 4 inches deep/high. It measures very close to the diameter of my fabric pots, just need to figure out a way to anchor it.

Im doing a test. I lined the inside top 1/3 with some plastic sheet, actually dollar store paint drop, very thin foam like. Just to help water go down rather than out the side. Also prevent a bit of evaporation. It does stiffen the top area a bit. Prolly not enough to the to. Thicker plastic would work.