2 Brandys in 18-19 Gallon Containers?

jeffinjonestown · December 16, 2009

Hello,

In 2008, I grew (with some success), pink brandywines in 9-ish gallon containers. For last year and 2010, I have 18-19 gallon containers, and have mixed the soil and inserted 2 tomato towers with extensions in each one. I doubled up, growing red RL brnadywines in each container this year (2009), but was less successful, although I blame most of that on the weather, since everyone in my neighborhood had a bad tomato crop compared to the previous year.

Am I pushing my luck by planting 2 pink brandywines in each container next year?

Thanks for any input.

amideutch · December 16, 2009

Sure you can do it. Be prepared to add additional ferts to the plants during the course of the growing season. Ami

jeffinjonestown · December 16, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by amideutch

Sure you can do it. Be prepared to add additional ferts to the plants during the course of the growing season. Ami

Good point on the ferts. I'm trying something a little different next year. I have kelp, parrot ...umm...poop from my pets, and fish tank water. Also, a trace of ground eggshells.

Salty_Dog · December 16, 2009

Hello jeff,

I have a couple of varieties in a common container as we speak (Gold Nugget and Creise), they are doing ok.

Interestingly, i have Kelp collected from the beach in there too.

From my findings, i am not sure how beneficial my application of raw kelp is.... and to some point, i think it my of even harmed my plants.
Kelp is great, don't get me wrong, but raw (washed) kelp in smaller containers my raise your salt content per the small amount of mix. Perhaps not so bad on the garden, but next year, i think i will put more effort into breaking the kelp down and cutting it into small pieces.
I also have a small amount of egg shells in each container.

Ami is right, i'd suggest the BEST MIX you can buy, don't skimp like i did, then add ferts every 2 weeks, perhaps half strength on a weekly basis even.

I think i have found the biggest issue in a small container (your container isn't as small as mine) is getting everything right, very easy to over water, under water or get a build up of ferts, salts etc

jeffinjonestown · December 21, 2009

Thank you both. Thinking about it, the containers last year did vary between very wet and very dry at especially cool and hot times. I'm going to take some steps to fix that next year - going to use plastic mulch on top of the pots, with PVC pipes with drip holes drilled through which to water directly into the soil at varying depths. Still working on this idea, but I think it should help with both evaporation and watering.

December 16, 2009	#1
jeffinjonestown Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Jonestown, PA Posts: 91	2 Brandys in 18-19 Gallon Containers? Hello, In 2008, I grew (with some success), pink brandywines in 9-ish gallon containers. For last year and 2010, I have 18-19 gallon containers, and have mixed the soil and inserted 2 tomato towers with extensions in each one. I doubled up, growing red RL brnadywines in each container this year (2009), but was less successful, although I blame most of that on the weather, since everyone in my neighborhood had a bad tomato crop compared to the previous year. Am I pushing my luck by planting 2 pink brandywines in each container next year? Thanks for any input.

December 16, 2009	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Sure you can do it. Be prepared to add additional ferts to the plants during the course of the growing season. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

December 16, 2009	#4
Salty_Dog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lorne, Australia Posts: 188	Hello jeff, I have a couple of varieties in a common container as we speak (Gold Nugget and Creise), they are doing ok. Interestingly, i have Kelp collected from the beach in there too. From my findings, i am not sure how beneficial my application of raw kelp is.... and to some point, i think it my of even harmed my plants. Kelp is great, don't get me wrong, but raw (washed) kelp in smaller containers my raise your salt content per the small amount of mix. Perhaps not so bad on the garden, but next year, i think i will put more effort into breaking the kelp down and cutting it into small pieces. I also have a small amount of egg shells in each container. Ami is right, i'd suggest the BEST MIX you can buy, don't skimp like i did, then add ferts every 2 weeks, perhaps half strength on a weekly basis even. I think i have found the biggest issue in a small container (your container isn't as small as mine) is getting everything right, very easy to over water, under water or get a build up of ferts, salts etc

December 21, 2009	#5
jeffinjonestown Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Jonestown, PA Posts: 91	Thank you both. Thinking about it, the containers last year did vary between very wet and very dry at especially cool and hot times. I'm going to take some steps to fix that next year - going to use plastic mulch on top of the pots, with PVC pipes with drip holes drilled through which to water directly into the soil at varying depths. Still working on this idea, but I think it should help with both evaporation and watering.