Tom: When I was a freshman in college I took an introductory course in logic, and the first thing the professor said was "post hoc, ergo propter hoc." Funny that I, who never studied Latin in school, should still remember this. The professor began his discussion of logical fallacies with this. Basically the idea is that people commonly ascribe a cause to something that happens before some supposed result, even though there may be no causal connection. This logical fallacy, he explained, causes an incredible amount of grief for mankind. In this case the observed root deformations, and the death of the trees, happened after the wire basket was placed around the root ball. But the does not mean that the wire basket caused the root deformations, or that the root deformations caused the death of the tree. In this case I can think of other things that could have caused, and in my mind, very probably could have caused the root deformations. First, of course, the roots were cut at the same margin where the basket was placed to enclose the root ball. Second, the tree may have been stored for a time in the wire basket before planting, causing the ends of the cut roots to die back from drying out at the surface of the root ball. Third, the roots would, naturally, reverse their direction and begin growing towards he moisture in the interior of the root ball, where there would be more moisture. This may look like the roots were somehow repelled by the wire, but in fact the cause was something else. Finally, the tree could have been planted in a soil that was very different form the soil from which the tree was dug, also affecting the growth of the roots out of the root ball and possibly causing them to grow even more unnaturally. The problem I have with the idea that the wire basket theory of root deformation, is that I canÂt identify anything about the wire that could cause this. Nothing I know about galvanized wire, and nothing I know about roots and how they grow, suggests any possibilities to me. I have not read any of the studies about this issue. I can imagine that any good study would have to control for a number of factors to ensure that what was discovered would be clearly an effect of the wire basket itself, and not other coincident factors.. When I have more time I will try to find out what I can about these studies. Maybe Nate could explain more about the study he cites and how it was designed and the factors that were controlled. I take the observations about the synthetic twine to be a separate issue. --Spruce

Just wanted to add, the coco liner is different than coco peat - it is made of longer 'strands' and I think it drains very well in hanging baskets. I agree that for small ones it may be bit thick, but still would consider it - depending on the root system of plants. But the plants in small baskets may have to be re-potted soon anyway if they start growing well - so even then it may be enough mix for a season or maybe two. Very nice hanging basket - so colorful, aftermidnight...Rina

Oops, I thought this was a tree thread I was responding too. I've only had a few b&b conifers that were so small I could take the basket off the plant before putting in the hole. I was referencing larger b&b deciduous plants below. Hoping to get some tree folks to chime in. http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1849687/the-truth-about-wire-baskets

Ahhh..sorry to hear that. Any option to upgrade to SS? Or maybe a different brand?. This s##t drives me crazy . Honest. I feel for the designers who came up with the wire bins and know they are the way to go. Then some mucky- muck higher up cheaped out on the manufacture. Which of course inspired the general public to now become cynical on all new and interesting products. Welcome to my world. Lucky for my customers I was both the designer and manufacturer. Not boasting just saying there are many small manufacturers on Houzz like myself , Rachelle?Sinks , Havens Metals and others who just don't play those games