Smart pot opinion

[MrMagic]

I'm currently growing in 3'x3'x7' tent with 2 15gal plastic pots. I'm thinking of switching to smart pots or air pots whatever you want to call them. I find that the bottoms dont dry out enough between waterings, so the roots dont really spread out. I was surprised at how small and spindly they were on my last grow. I can bury my index finger as deep as it will go and it dryer than a popcorn fart but an inch or 2 lower is moist.
I'm wondering what size air pots I should go with for the size of then that I have. Ideally I'd like to do 4 plants but it's not set in stone as yield is more important to me.
I should mention that with the 2 pots I'm currently using I have been manifolding to a finish height of 36". And will be adding a second light to cover the entire footprint.
Oh also how many grows can you get from one pot. I would imagine you could get a half dozen or so if you where gentle with them. Thanks for the input.

[Rwise]

You can add a bunch of holes to the pots you have.
I like the cloth pots and use 3 - 20+ gallon, but I am outside.

[Xena]

IDK all I can add is, I have 4 plants, 2 in 3 gal smart pots and the other two 2 in big plastic coffee cans (with a butt load of holes) and my smart pots dry very well all the way through and my plastic ones do exactly the same thing you were saying.

[golfnrl]

I've only ever used cloth pots. They self prune and are reusable. Some have handles. I grow in a 3x3 tent and have 4 plants in 5 gal cloth pots.

[MeEasy]

I also use fabric 5gal pots I put em in a plastic trays with the grooves in em but the bottoms would stay wet I ended up with a little mold like year ago so I added two pieces of scrap wood sticks (actually old cedar pickets from fencing) under each and have had no problem since

[CaptainWiese91]

I just drilled a lot of 3-4mm holes all over my 30L plastic pot.
And 10mm holes all over the bottom and the sides about 6-9Cm up the pot and the rest is 3-4mm.
They are really big pots, and I don’t have this experience you are having. I think it’s because of all the holes I made. Just a homemade smart pot of you want.
Used plastic pots since my beginning- I don’t think I’m ever changing 😅.

[golfnrl]

Hi CaptainWiese91 I totally get it. I think the pot choices are kinda like the Ford Chevy debate. Each have there own pros and cons. I don't see me changing from cloth pots, but I do consider it. I think thats just because I know the cloth pots work well with my current skill level. Ever learning, right?

[MrMagic]

golfnrl I agree it is the ol Ford and chev debate. The main reason I'm thinking of switching is my current pots are just a lil too big for this tent. I've got it narrowed down to either 5 7 or 10gal pot. Im just not sure there will be enough room for 4 to gal in a 3x3. I also think my plant will be a little more robust in these with a smaller footprint. I'm leaning toward the 7gal I think. I will admit i didnt consider mold issues with them being fabric and all.
thanks everyone for the input

[MeEasy]

Just to throw in another two cents I've been eyeballing some new square fabric pots or at least new to me and I think they would be space savers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SN2YSG5/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_.m3xFb43HW4YD

[MrMagic]

Yeah I saw them. The biggest I've found was 5gal