Which are better for seedlings .... round or square pots

[wbmkk]

I am just wondering which shape of pot is better for seedlings, such as tomatoes and chillis.

I once read that the roots of plants in round pots tend to grow in a circular shape and sometimes when they are potted into bigger pots or the ground, the roots still tend to travel in a circle.

Maybe the same principle, that holes fro trees should be square and NOT round.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[bearded bloke]

Think if the plant becomes "pot bound" (roots fill pot & touch sides) it becomes moot,up to that point I cannot see it making a lot of difference,other than the volume of a square pot is greater than that of a round pot of the same height & width,so more nutrients.

[rustylady]

Both are equally good for the plants, but the square ones are much easier to arrange in a gravel tray.

[darcyvuqua]

Both are equally good for the plants, but the square ones are much easier to arrange in a gravel tray.

And for that reason I vote square

[RaptorUK]

I am just wondering which shape of pot is better for seedlings, such as tomatoes and chillis.

A square pot gives you more volume for the same height and width of pot so I prefer square. Same applies to cells, some tend to be rounded (Wilcos) others more square so I go for the squarer ones (B&Q).

[Sandyback]

Square as there is less wasted space.

[Fleurisa]

I prefer square pots they take up less room than round ones

[Bigmallly]

As I adore my long handled bulb planter, I'm gonna go for round..............

[veggiechicken]

I vote Square! Round pots roll around when they blow over, square pots don't

[Kristen]

I mostly use round. I would question that square gives more-per-area as on a bench (rather than in a gravel tray) using staggered spacing they snuggle in so I don't think I would get more (or not many more) if I used square.

I find easier to pot-on round without disturbance.

I, too, plant out with a long-handled bulb planter and a 9cm pot's rootball drops nicely into the hole.

For seed sowing I use square - but I don't really like them very much as they are relatively deep (for seedlings) and I prefer seed trays - but even 1/4 sized seed trays take a lot of seeds, so for things where I only sow 15 seeds, or less, I find pots more convenient - but I could do with a shallower container, that was only 9cm square, and didn't dry out too quickly!!

[mothhawk]

As I have both types, I use both - (haven't bought a pot for years), and I agree with all the reasons above for both types of pot. I only have round pots for house plants though - I think they look more attractive, and all my pot holders are round so they fit better.

[cptncrackoff]

I've always used round until I discovered 12 3" square pots at B&M for 99p... there not the worst quality I've seen either...now a square convert!!

[Veggielot]

I think round pots some how look better so started off with those but then bought some square ones from wilkinsons and found they fit better in seeds trays so now have a mixture of both. Can't say I have noticed any difference in results depending on the shape though.

[starloc]

In normal pots I havent seem much difference between round and square, I tend to use round ones as I have hundreds of them I got for free after someones illicit grow room... was closed down locally.

For top growing results I found air root pruning pots are best, but expensive ( especially compared to my free pots ) so I use them for only a few plants

Root air pruning pots produce the best root structure you will ever see, it looks totaly different, no circleing and massive amount of branching giving a massive root structure

[Raybon]

I am transporting pots from home to allotment by car, square pots wedge and support each other nicely on tray/ in box with less opportunity for spillage!