Topsy Turvy - Page 4

nolabelle · August 17, 2013

Topsy Turvy graveyard...

tlintx · August 19, 2013

I bought a couple. They are cheap grow bags at $1 and can just as easily be planted upright!

Tl

SEAMSFASTER · August 20, 2013

Planted in 4 of them last year (a gift, not something I would have purchased at any price because of the numerous negative comments I've heard from local growers...). They did great in Spring, soaking up the sun's heat on the south side of the house. But by late June then well into September, the vines did terribly. No amount of water could compensate for the many days of 100+ degree heat. The roots just cooked.

I would never recommend using these unless:

1) You live where temperatures rarely get above 80° (or else you use shade cloth and misters - what a pain and extra $...)

2) You grow only small determinate or dwarf plants (IMO, most varieties of tomatoes should be given a minimum of 20 gallons for their root mass)

A local novice commercial grower purchased and is using about 200 of these - blatantly contrary to my strenuous advice. They are some of the sorriest looking tomato plants I've seen, even with shade cloth and an automatic drip system. Many are dead, most are not producing.

To me the most interesting part of the story is the social commentary: millions of dollars in advertising for a virtually useless product, yet countless millions of gullible gardeners (or wannabe gardeners) have taken the bait. You would think that many of us are simply desperate to spend our money on anything fancy and new, while unwittingly padding the pockets of the wealthy advertisers...

tlintx · August 21, 2013

Lots of people have success with the air-pruning grow bags. You really can grow right side up in these - just plant the top. Any plant I've tried pside down has insisted on righting itself.

Tl

August 17, 2013	#46
nolabelle Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: N.O., LA (Zone 8b) Posts: 136	Topsy Turvy graveyard... __________________ I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it!

August 19, 2013	#47
tlintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SeTx Posts: 881	I bought a couple. They are cheap grow bags at $1 and can just as easily be planted upright! Tl

August 20, 2013	#48
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: American Fork, Utah Posts: 160	Planted in 4 of them last year (a gift, not something I would have purchased at any price because of the numerous negative comments I've heard from local growers...). They did great in Spring, soaking up the sun's heat on the south side of the house. But by late June then well into September, the vines did terribly. No amount of water could compensate for the many days of 100+ degree heat. The roots just cooked. I would never recommend using these unless: 1) You live where temperatures rarely get above 80° (or else you use shade cloth and misters - what a pain and extra $...) 2) You grow only small determinate or dwarf plants (IMO, most varieties of tomatoes should be given a minimum of 20 gallons for their root mass) A local novice commercial grower purchased and is using about 200 of these - blatantly contrary to my strenuous advice. They are some of the sorriest looking tomato plants I've seen, even with shade cloth and an automatic drip system. Many are dead, most are not producing. To me the most interesting part of the story is the social commentary: millions of dollars in advertising for a virtually useless product, yet countless millions of gullible gardeners (or wannabe gardeners) have taken the bait. You would think that many of us are simply desperate to spend our money on anything fancy and new, while unwittingly padding the pockets of the wealthy advertisers...

August 21, 2013	#49
tlintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SeTx Posts: 881	Lots of people have success with the air-pruning grow bags. You really can grow right side up in these - just plant the top. Any plant I've tried pside down has insisted on righting itself. Tl