Which root trainer to buy?

[veggiechicken]

Since I'm off to the Show on Saturday, and there's always someone selling Root Trainers, and, if my pocket money will stretch to it:-
What should I look for
Which type should I buy?
You have one day in which to advise me!!

[zazen999]

There's only one make - Hanicks.

I got mine when they were on offer at B&Q. IIRC they were £3.99 each so about half price.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Zaz! I looked at the website and they seem to come in all sorts of configurations - just to confuse me. There are slim, low maintenance, maxi, deep, with or without lids etc. Or should I just buy whatever is on offer at the cheapest price?

[chris]

At the end of the gardening season, for the past couple of years Lakeland have had them on offer too. The root trainer usual price £7.99

The lids are useful, not only as a propagator, but also for once the plants are up, but not planted out - they act as a watering tray too

[VirginVegGrower]

Haxnicks Rootrainers are the only legitimate ones and they come in a frame with lid, but you will need a gravel tray with them. I opt for the deep ones.

[taff]

I've got a couple of sets that have 32 in each, (8x4 separate ones). I'm using both for broad beans (1 seed in each module) and the other one for the peas (2 seeds in each module)
I think thye give both of them enough root room...I don't think I'd bother to get ones that have less modules because those ones are good enough for everything I use them for (sweetocrn next, i seed in each module)

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for all your advice. So far its Haxnick's deep with frame, lid and tray. Anything else to consider?

[chris]

Beating them down to get a good bargain!

If you do, I'll have a couple more

[veggiechicken]

Watch out Haxnicks - the Taffia are coming!

[Alison]

Haxnicks Rootrainers are the only legitimate ones and they come in a frame with lid, but you will need a gravel tray with them. I opt for the deep ones.

I've never used gravel trays with them but put them in normal plastic trays or just put them straight on the staging. I don't really use all the covers either and given the choice I'd probably have only bought them for half the number of root trainers. For example, I've sown sweetcorn recently and don't find I need the lid at all as it's warm enough without. The same will be true for my beans when I sow them fairly soon although my broadies which I sowed ages back definitely benefited. I have some of the deep ones and some standard ones (all the 32 module type) and use the standard ones by preference as they use less compost and I've not found the extra depth that much of a benefit.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I to have Haxnick Maxi Fleet, no trays no stand just two pieces of wood and two laggie bands. Mind you I did scrounge them from a mate.

Colin

[veggiechicken]

Thank you Alison and Potty. So if the set is as cheap as just buying the "books" I'll have the set, but its possible to get by without the trays etc if its inordinately more expensive.
Wish it was my birthday!!

[Alison]

You do need the frames thought really to hold them all in place, OK so you could make your own but the proper ones are very good.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've never used gravel trays with them but put them in normal plastic trays or just put them straight on the staging. I don't really use all the covers either and given the choice I'd probably have only bought them for half the number of root trainers. For example, I've sown sweetcorn recently and don't find I need the lid at all as it's warm enough without. The same will be true for my beans when I sow them fairly soon although my broadies which I sowed ages back definitely benefited. I have some of the deep ones and some standard ones (all the 32 module type) and use the standard ones by preference as they use less compost and I've not found the extra depth that much of a benefit.

Plastic tray - gravel tray. Same thing

[taff]

Thank you Alison and Potty. So if the set is as cheap as just buying the "books" I'll have the set, but its possible to get by without the trays etc if its inordinately more expensive.
Wish it was my birthday!!

I got one set (modules frame and cover) for 6 quid or something a few years ago on one of the end of season sales. I've used it at the beginning of the year three times now, they're still in one piece...not bad for 6 quid. It's not going to break the bank either
I spend about 40 or 50 pounds a year on seeds and compost, but make that back in veggies grown and eaten and bartered with, and they are the only pots I've ever bought, so all in all it won't break the bank either...