Fyba Shortlife Pots

Material

Fyba Shortlife Pots are made from a strong paper-like organic material made from wood pulp, recylced paper and textile fibres, saturated with pure bitumen.

Characteristics

Strong. Even when wet they do not tear when handled.
Lightweight.
Clean.
Sterile.
Biodegradable. The pot stays on the root ball when transplanting, so avoiding root damage and any check to growth.
Good water retention. The pot will absorb a little water but there is no evaporation through the sides, so frequency of watering is reduced compared to peat pots or soil blocks, etc. Potting soil does not dry out quickly and is easily re-wetted if this does occur. Drainage is through slits round the outer edge of the base of the pot. The base is designed for capillary watering.
Good heat retention. The pot absorbs heat readily and as the temperature of the potting soil rises, the insulating properties of the Fyba material maintain the temperature in the soil. The moisture and heat retaining characteristics ensure that root development is strong and growth rapid.

Shape

Most of the pots are the same depth as the top diameter and have wide bases to ensure stability on the bench. The Sweet Pea Tube is 55mm diameter and 125mm deep to allow the tap root of sweet peas and beans to grow straight down. The Long Tom Pot is extra deep for large deep-rooted plants. The pots are delivered nested.

Pot Life

Fyba Shortlife Pots will last for 10-12 weeks on the bench, depending on the growing conditions. In dry conditions with air circulating round the pots the bench life is longer. Root penetration of the sides and base will ususally occur within five weeks. In warm damp conditions with the pots close together a white mould may occur on the side of the pot which indicates that the pot is beginning to rot. The mould is harmless and will disapper if watering is reduced or the pots spaced out.

Decomposition

The pots decompose due to the action of bacteria in the soil, breaking down the organic material of the pot. When planted in damp soil conditions decomposition begins immediately and more roots pass through the pot to establish the plant very quickly.

Advantages

Fyba Shortlife Pots help to create very strong root systems and encourage fast growth by keeping roots moist and warmer than other types of pot. They protect roots from sun, scorch and frost. Fyba Shortlife Pots are biodegradable. They are planted with the pot, thereby avoiding root disturbance. The roots pass easily through the sides and base of the pot. The flexible pot allows plants to be packed tightly in boxes or pallets, using less space than with rigid pots.

Uses

The sizes 65mm to 90mm are univeral propagation pots for all types of plants and cuttings.

90mm is often used for tomato and cucumber plants for retail sale. 110mm and 125mm low pots are recommended for tomato plants grown in the nursery by any system: growing bags, rockwool, cropping pots or in the soil. The plants in the pots are placed on the top of the substrate and the roots quickly pass through the wide base, spreading out laterally. If the substrate becomes water logged and roots are damaged, fresh roots will come down from the pot. The air circulating round the pots keeps the soil in the pot warm and fibrous roots continue to develop.

Cucumbers are usually grown in the standard 125mm pots which contain 20% more potting soil than the 125mm low pot.

Trees and shrubs are grown in either the 110mm or 125mm pots and planted out in the pot. Tree Mats made from the Fyba material can be used to protect young, newly planted trees, keeping surface soil moist and warm, and preventing weed growth round the stem.

Shrubs and herbaceous plants go into 160mm pots.

Sweet Pea tubes are 125mm long, narrow pots, without a base and are used for tap-rooted plants such as runner beans, sweet peas, etc. Individual sweet pea plants sell for a higher price than multi-seeded pots. The tubes are often used for autumn-sown peas.

Long Tom Pots are very useful for deep-rooted nursery stock and clematis.

Pot Sizes and Volumes

Code		101	102	103	104	105	106 Low	107	108	109	110	111 S.Pea Tube	112 Long Tom
Top dia. Height	mm mm	55 50	65 90	75 75	90 90	110 110	110 90	110 115	125 125	125 115	160 160	55 125	100 125
Top dia. Height	ins ins	2.25" 2"	2.5" 3.5"	3" 3"	3.5" 3.5"	4.25" 4.25"	4.25" 3.5"	4.25" 4.5"	5" 5"	5" 4.25"	6.25" 6.25"	2.25" 5"	4" 5"
Volume	ltrs	0.12	0.22	0.28	0.45	0.87	0.61	0.72	1.33	1.00	2.34	0.22	0.82
Pots per 100L potting soil		833	455	357	222	115	164	139	75	100	43	455	122
Pots per pack		2000	2000	2000	2000	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000	2000	1000