What will grow well in 1 and 2 gallon pots?

Nightshade · July 31, 2009

I've been eyeing the space in front of my south-facing windows, trying to figure out how to best maximize TSF (tomatoes/per sq. ft.) ratio in that part of the winter garden this year.

My plans include a couple of hanging baskets holding pink and red Tumbler and Basket queen. An indoor windowbox planter will have three plants of Hahms Gelbe miniatures and I'll be growing some Minibels in 6 inch pots, for Christmas gifts.

Of course I will have at least one Sophie's Choice, which was so productive last year ieven though I had her crammed into a one gallon pot, that she's getting promoted to one twice that big this year.

I have seeds for Extreme Dwarf Bush, which I have been happy to learn will do well in a ten inch (presumably one-gallon) pot, according to a 1958 Gecker's catalogue.

Extreme dwarf rugged growth rarely grows more than a foot tall and the same in diameter. It is really a mystery how such a small plant can produce such an abundance of good size tomatoes. Extremely early, in fact we set out plants here in northern Ohio, Jun 15th, 45 days ripe tomatoes appeared. Leaves have a distinct upward curl, very thick and rigid. Beautiful globular red fruits attain a size up to 3 inches in diameter. Flavor is almost identical to the famous Rutger strain.... All you need to grow them in a 10 inch flower pot or larger and set in a southern exposed window.

Other tomato plants that can be grown in this size pot that come to mind immediately include Tiny Tim, Red Robin, Yellow Canary and Totem. Are there any others you can recommend?

Thanks,
Jan

tulsanurse1 · April 1, 2010

Bumped for suggestions

**mdvpc** · April 1, 2010

I am growing one now in my greenhouse-you can see it on my thread-here is the link:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=13525

The variety is called Vershok. Its loaded with fruit and blossoms now.

**nctomatoman** · April 2, 2010

One or two gallon is tough for all but the smallest of tomatoes as indicated above, like Red Robin. Any dwarf or compact or determine would live, but the yield would be impacted.

One gallon is perfect for the smaller fruited, beautiful and varied ornamental (but edible!) hot peppers - they will pump out the fruit no matter what the size of container!

jackdaniel · April 2, 2010

I had Tiny Tim in 3", then 6" pots, now 8" pots and I think anything smaller for a full-grown plant would stunt growth. Next time I will use 5 gal buckets or similar 10-12" pots. Less maintenance when watering, too! Lets me sleep at night.

Wi-sunflower · April 2, 2010

I seem to remember a thread here in winter 08/09 where someone was growing Lime Green Salad in a converted 2 liter soda bottle. There were pics of how to make the planter.

Carol

b54red · April 3, 2010

You might want to try a determinate called Applause. It makes a small plant with very little foliage but will put out some nice sized tomatoes until it gets warm. It is a very early tomato and seems to do very poorly once temps get into the 90s. It generally doesn't produce for very long; but I don't think many tomatoes will produce for very long in a container that small. I had a Jetsetter in a one gal. container that was 18 inches tall and very stocky that was blooming great when I set it out into the garden and it wasn't root bound at all. I have no doubt that it would have produced a few tomatoes if I had left it in that small pot.

July 31, 2009	#1
Nightshade Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So. California Posts: 178	What will grow well in 1 and 2 gallon pots? I've been eyeing the space in front of my south-facing windows, trying to figure out how to best maximize TSF (tomatoes/per sq. ft.) ratio in that part of the winter garden this year. My plans include a couple of hanging baskets holding pink and red Tumbler and Basket queen. An indoor windowbox planter will have three plants of Hahms Gelbe miniatures and I'll be growing some Minibels in 6 inch pots, for Christmas gifts. Of course I will have at least one Sophie's Choice, which was so productive last year ieven though I had her crammed into a one gallon pot, that she's getting promoted to one twice that big this year. I have seeds for Extreme Dwarf Bush, which I have been happy to learn will do well in a ten inch (presumably one-gallon) pot, according to a 1958 Gecker's catalogue. Extreme dwarf rugged growth rarely grows more than a foot tall and the same in diameter. It is really a mystery how such a small plant can produce such an abundance of good size tomatoes. Extremely early, in fact we set out plants here in northern Ohio, Jun 15th, 45 days ripe tomatoes appeared. Leaves have a distinct upward curl, very thick and rigid. Beautiful globular red fruits attain a size up to 3 inches in diameter. Flavor is almost identical to the famous Rutger strain.... All you need to grow them in a 10 inch flower pot or larger and set in a southern exposed window. Other tomato plants that can be grown in this size pot that come to mind immediately include Tiny Tim, Red Robin, Yellow Canary and Totem. Are there any others you can recommend? Thanks, Jan Last edited by Nightshade; July 31, 2009 at 02:37 AM.

April 1, 2010	#3
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	I am growing one now in my greenhouse-you can see it on my thread-here is the link: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=13525 The variety is called Vershok. Its loaded with fruit and blossoms now. __________________ Michael

April 2, 2010	#4
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	One or two gallon is tough for all but the smallest of tomatoes as indicated above, like Red Robin. Any dwarf or compact or determine would live, but the yield would be impacted. One gallon is perfect for the smaller fruited, beautiful and varied ornamental (but edible!) hot peppers - they will pump out the fruit no matter what the size of container! __________________ Craig

April 2, 2010	#5
jackdaniel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 94	I had Tiny Tim in 3", then 6" pots, now 8" pots and I think anything smaller for a full-grown plant would stunt growth. Next time I will use 5 gal buckets or similar 10-12" pots. Less maintenance when watering, too! Lets me sleep at night. __________________ Slow learner through trial and error. Indoor organic (soon to be hydroponic) grower. Small SFG outside. Two acre CSA. Any recommendation for OP dwarf varieties and trades are welcome!

April 1, 2010	#2
tulsanurse1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 71	Bumped for suggestions

April 2, 2010	#6
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I seem to remember a thread here in winter 08/09 where someone was growing Lime Green Salad in a converted 2 liter soda bottle. There were pics of how to make the planter. Carol

April 3, 2010	#7
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	You might want to try a determinate called Applause. It makes a small plant with very little foliage but will put out some nice sized tomatoes until it gets warm. It is a very early tomato and seems to do very poorly once temps get into the 90s. It generally doesn't produce for very long; but I don't think many tomatoes will produce for very long in a container that small. I had a Jetsetter in a one gal. container that was 18 inches tall and very stocky that was blooming great when I set it out into the garden and it wasn't root bound at all. I have no doubt that it would have produced a few tomatoes if I had left it in that small pot.