NO - Capillary forces pull water from all parts of the soil medium. The capillary flow sets up an automatic siphon that removes all free water from the bottom of the pot. (see Drainage examples)
The Capillary force operates in all soil medium types, including sand based mixes. Your choice of soil medium can influence drainage time though and holding capacity of course– ie: 100% coir mixtures can drain reasonable quick.
Water takes longer to drain from the NOVA pot than from most other pots. Water is conserved longer in the pot and a more thoroughly wetting of the growing medium occurs. Thus making the watering event very efficient.
Root ball and soil shrinkage - a normal growing condition - causes the soil medium to shrink away from the side wall of the pot. Water is simply wasted - as it rushes down the side of the pot and out sideholes at the bottom – having no effect on wetting the root ball, and thus having a detrimental effect on the health of the plant. This can not occur with the Nova pot.
When used with capillary mat irrigation systems – where irrigation occurs from the bottom of the NOVA pot, water wastage can almost be totally eliminated. Capillary matt irrigation offers a very efficient irrigation system where the Nova Pot is design feature are very well suited.
When we refer to holding capacity, we refer to the ability of the soil within a pot to hold moisture - after full drainage of the free water, after saturation. Good holding capacity (sometime referred to as field capacity) is defined as the state between total saturation and welting. It is in this state that the plant has good access to water and air within the soil medium, and grows best. Due to the slower drainage flow and the effect of the drainage pattern, the Nova pot produces this environment for longer and and more consistently than side holed pots.
Good quality potting mixes are well aerated and maintain their structure. Very healthy roots are grown in NOVA pot often appear healthier than those in multi-hole pots. This occurs even in bottom watered – capillary mat irrigation systems where air is most limiting.
Air-pruning (dying back of the root tip) occurs when the root enters an environment of low humidity (air). Some species are far more susceptible to such damage than others. Some species are not effected at all. Air pruning can shock the plant and effect growth. This mainly occurs in “side holed” pots. As well as plant shock, roots that need to be manually removed when preparing the plant for sale, increases cost . The Nova pots greatly reduces air pruning through root escape and has a positive effect on the plants overall health – especially relative to side holed pots, however some roots do escape, but it is very limited.
The pot spacers at the bottom of the pot have some effect in stopping this circling effect. Root circling is an issue that needs attention in most types of pots including the NOVA pot
High quality potting mixes are well aerated and maintain their structure. Very healthy roots are grown in NOVA pot often appear healthier than those in multi-hole pots. This occurs even in bottom watered mat irrigation systems where air would be most limiting.
There is less mess in potting up with only one central basal hole. The central collar at the bottom of the pot retains all but the finest fractions. The NOVA pot will help in pot watering at home.
The NOVA pot performs well for all plant species in a wide range of environments.
The Nova Pot can be used in Field Growing, Green House Growing, Capillary Matt Growing and Ebb and Flow Growing.
The NOVA pot and the ANOVA pot are both registered brands utilising the same drainage technology in different countries. The Names are often interchangeable when referred to in studies and research.
