Economy flowerpots

Corncrake2

Hi all,
my locsl 99p shop has some _black_ plastic pots which, instead of the usual drainage holes in the base have short vertical tubes blanked off at the top.
Should I
(A) remove the tubes and get the usual hole in base drainage

(B) remove the top blanking to open up the top of the tube

If (A) ie. "classical" then why mold in those tubes ?

If (B) this would allow a space in the base of the pot to collect water. It might be good for the plant to have this extra reservoir ?

However all the old-timer books say that crocks etc should be used to allow for good drainage ! Thus I have a dilemma Can you help !

Tip :
If your local 99p shop has brown plastic ones avoid them, they are brittle and break easily leving very nasty sharp edges at rim-height, ideally placed to gash your shin,
dont ask,
!!
The new stock of black plastic are nicely flexible.

Arthog

The raised tubes in the base seem to be in the larger pots. I make a hole in the top of the tube (B), and that means that the holes are raised so there is a small reservoir of water briefly in the bottom of the pot as you say - useful when there is a water shortage. It saves the need for a saucer under the pot.
It's perfectly ok to have the holes in the base of the pot - whichever you prefer.
I read recently that the 'crocks' are no longer thought to be necessary.
BTW, another good source of pots is Freecycle.

Corncrake2

Arthog wrote: »

It saves the need for a saucer under the pot.

Thanks for your thoughts, two heads always better than one ! I think I'll do the same as you, holes in the top.
Ah yes the saucer, good point, I'm always looking round for lost saucers !

I had not heard that about crocks, makes sense, always wondered if they were needed cos it seems every time I examine an established pot the holes and crocks are always bunged up with roots and displaced compost, ie. the crocks never stay clear.