Best growing containers?

[RubySlippers]

Hello! My partner and I are preparing for our first grow. Can I tell you how immensely helpful GWE has been? We'd gratefuly hand over our first born child if I knew where you all live. Seriously. Anyway, we took the advice of a friend, and purchased several 5-gallon buckets, drilled holes in the bottom and filled them with Black Gold. Then I found this website and we're having second thoughts about our choice. Do you guys think we'd be better off with something else, like a smart pot or air pot? I think regular pots would be cost-prohibitive at this point. Thanks so much!

[Bikerstonrr]

After studying the website for days (or so it seemed) I decided to use cloth pots (smart pots) for my current grow. The biggest reason to me is the chance of root problems seems very liw,if you follow the recommendations found on the site.

[Speedygreen]

5gal buckets work just fine. watch for high winds during flower. stake the buckets stable to the ground so ma nature doesn't slap ur plants to the ground. they get real top heavy n bushy af in a bucket

[Chemichael]

Buckets work great. I'm using a combo of 5 gallon buckets 3 gallon containers and 3 and 5 gallon fabric pots. I'm seeing awesome development of my autos in fabric right now

[Tika]

5 gal smart pots all the way! Love them.

[Potted]

You can keep the kid to $$$ as for a container 5gal. Pots with holes work fine if on a budget, I'm trying smart pots for first time,I've been told the latter uses more water because it dries out quicker,but the trade off is thay dont get root bound and get more O2 to roots. .02 cents peace

[Tika]

Another good point for smart pots Potted!

[PuravidaC]

I have only used 5 gallon buckets so far with good results but thinking about trying smart pots soon. Be sure to put a layer of gravel in bottom of buckets before adding soil to help with drainage.

[Royal Nugs]

Fabric pots seem to work a little better. More air exchange in the roots and no way to get rootbound. Win win.

Plastic buckets work though.

[rockman]

I love the 5 gallon smartpots, especially because they are big enough for root development and give roots the air they need. No problem with having to water too much....always a pleasure to give my girls a drink! 🌿 Good luck on first grow....it's an irreplaceable adventure! And keep asking on forum...so much growing experience here! 🙌

[Weed Pharma]

The 5 gallon buckets with holes you have will work fine!

Mostly I use plain old nursery pots-sturdy when you carry them- easy to clean and reuse-inexpensive- it's my "go to" container.

[RubySlippers]

Thanks so much for the info and encouragement! Based on your advice, I think we've decided to do a couple of both: 5 gal bucket and smart pots. You guys are the best!