This is another find from the NYBG Shop. These pots are beautiful, very tactile, and extremely light. They are called 'Coir', very eco-friendly and lightweight for their size and thickness. There are coconut coir liners on the market already, but these can stand on their own as pots - and function up to 5 years...
You can find all of the details at their website, Ecosource.com. These pots appear to be made from coconut coir that has been rubberized (just a guess). These pots are thick and spongy, rubbery, not brittle. And extremely lightweight. Great for outside, but you would need a tray underneath them to use inside.
Although these would need replacing every few years, it is a trade-off for the benefits: environmentally conscious, low energy manufacturing process, doesn't deplete natural resources, will not pollute the environment when thrown away, and they also have great air flow and drainage which benefits the soil and the plant roots. These are not exactly cheap - with prices on the trapezoid ones, above, running $38-$84. But they may become more affordable over time as they become more widely used.
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I found something similar and cheaper and world market cost plus.
i found these amazing bio-pots made from straw, rice husks, and bamboo. They were ridiculously affordable at 6 for $9.99 8inch in diameter.
heres the link
http://www.biopots.com/products.asp
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Sumhope - Thank you for tha tlink - the pots you are linking to, did they sell directly to you?
They are similar to the EcoForms we posted about last year (and that I plant to do a follow-up to soon), would love to know how well the Biopots measure up. These types of pots are becoming more popular for growing and at nurseries - less plastic!
One difference between the Biopots/Ecoform type pots and the coir ones above is that the coir pots are made for outside and will hold up well under the elements. The Bioform/Ecoform pots biodegrade much quicker outside. The coir pots also are not prone to cracking in extreme temps or from dropping (Biopots/Ecoforms are). Coir pots have roughly 1" thick walls, as opposed to the Biopots' 1/8" or so.
For indoors I think the Biopot/Ecoform choice would be much more economical. I have been using the smaller ones for the past year and so far I love them.
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Are these pots really better for the environment? If I have to replace the planter every 5 years, it seems like that would be a lot more wasted energy (by the factory) than if I get something that lasts a lifetime.
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