I'm not sure if it kills the roots, but I do know it does not promote good root growth. It has something to do w/ the light, roots do not like light..... It is definately not a myth, every book, every forum post, and every grow site I have read all state that clear pots are not good for the roots, and hinder the plants growth.
For my experience (Orchids Not with MJ) the roots will grow ok in low light, but exposure to high levels of light causes them to revert back to stem like growth. Like a tree that has it's roots exposed, they grow a BARK like structure on the outside (If big enough) but MJ grows small thin roots so IMO they will die from high light exposure. It would be nice to prove this tho!, Hey Mister you like experiments; perhaps one for you
Thats not a bad idea, I know a friend that used some clear containers he got from work, the plants grew well until the roots reached the outer sides of the pot and were showing through the soil, the plants then began to lose vigor and growth was poor, he thought it was nute def. and started pumping them full of nutes and they ended up dying. It would be nice to do some kind of controlled experiment to maybe learn why and how it effects the roots and overall growth of a plant.
hmmmmm, damn. I'll have to get some new pots, but we're in flower now and I don't want to transplant again. Perhaps I should paint them with blackout paint.
Can't you cover the outsides with wide tape? Some card or several layers of news paper. Just a thought.
This has been an ongoing debate. Alot of people here say that roots do NOT have light receptors so it makes no difference. Id be curious to know the facts. One of these times I think some of us are going to have to get together and redo the stickies and get some of these really debateable subjects out of the way because we just sit here and debate and never get the facts.
That's it, I really couldn't find any credible scientific evidence that leads me to believe that they shouldn't be exposed to light. What about aeroponics and hydro systems that have exposed roots? I'm happy to take the advice of other growers, but I would really like to know one way or the other about this. If I had the space I'd experiment, but I'm content to wait for someone with the space to do it for my answer.
Light does not kill the roots and i have planted in clear containers before with no problem what so ever out even in the sun. Only thing that MIGHT happen is you get some algae on the inside surface of the clear container because light+water=algae. If your soil is packed properly and your not overwatering none of this should be a concern.
i havent used clear.....but i have 4 white pots and 8 dark blue pots.................and i can not tell a difference in the growth between them..... you can see roots on sides of white pots, but the second largest is in a white pot....