Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Tom S. | Delivered July 31, 2019

Fabric Garden Planters

Goals

Using qualitative and quantitative data from university studies, industry reports, etc., identify and detail the proven benefits of using fabric planters for gardening, as opposed to plastic or ceramic pots, for growing herbs and vegetables specifically. This information will be used to develop prominent product claims that will be used on packaging and in advertisements.

Early Findings

In 2005, the Department of Horticulture Sciences at Texas A&M University conducted a study to measure the growth of rose bushes in traditional plastic pots compared to Smart Pot fabric planters. After the study, scientists found that the roots of the flowers grew larger in fabric containers, but the rose buds themselves remained the same. 
Scientists from the above study believe that this was partially due to differences in temperature around the roots because of the pot type. The temperature near the roots in plastic pots was found to be more than 30°F higher than in fabric pots, which resulted in higher water evaporation rates and thus less growth.
In a study conducted by the University of Tennessee's Institute of Agriculture in 2015, evidence showed that fabric pots are capable of increasing plant growth and survival, especially in plants that have a higher risk of root rot. This was found to be the case largely because of the porous walls of fabric planters, which permits better air flow and more stable evaporation rates for water, thus leading to stronger root growth.
In 2006, research from the Auburn University Department of Horticulture also found that temperatures in fabric pots were consistently lower than those in plastic points. From September to February, the highest temperatures ratios each month for fabric-to-plastic planters were approximately 92:120°F, 67:95°F, 68:94°F, 59:77°F, 52:62°F, and 55:80°F. These lower temperatures are truly what promote plant growth in fabric planters.