Sungold in a SWC?

Greatgardens · December 28, 2015

I made reference to this in another thread, but it really fits better here... Has anyone had experience with a large cherry tomato plant like Sungold in a SWContainer? My issue is splitting, but I guess this is not a universal problem. It definitely has been for me -- touch them to pick them when ripe, and about half of them split. If you don't let them completely ripen, then they don't split, and also don't taste as good.

A SWC seems with a good high-drainage media seems like it might be a good solution. Keeps them from getting too much water during heavy rains with a cover, and avoid "ups and downs" in the moisture content. I've got an old square Rubbermaid planter that should serve this purpose quite well. But hopefully someone has done this before and can tell us how it worked.

-GG

Worth1 · December 28, 2015

I have often wondered if the low barometric pressure that comes with a storm has something to do with it.

Worth

luigiwu · December 28, 2015

I grow everything in SWC and have had no issues with sungold splitting, unless they are super duper overripe ... I try and cover the tops of my 5-gallon buckets with a plastic "shower cap" so the only water supply should be from the bottom

rwsacto · December 28, 2015

I have grown sungold in an 18 gal. SWC for several years. I also grow sungold in the raised bed every year.

The sungold plant in the SWC can be planted earlier with some heat to the reservoir and plant protection. The SWC plant growth will be limited by the size of the container. By mid season, the roots will find there way into to water reservoir. This makes the fruit less flavorful (more watery) than those grown in the ground.

If the SWC is your preference, go for it.

Rick

Uncle Doss · February 17, 2016

Please forgive my ignorance, but what id an SWC?

Gerardo · February 17, 2016

Self Watering Container. Makes things a breeze.

Cole_Robbie · February 17, 2016

sub-watered container

Just for what it's worth, my Sungold don't split. I grow them in ridges of the best soil I can scrape up, under black plastic with drip. Even when other varieties split, my Sungold don't. Elongated cherries are the worst about splitting for me.

Cole_Robbie · February 17, 2016

We're all wrong. It's a "SIP."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-irrigated_planter

Uncle Doss · February 17, 2016

self watering container?

Gerardo · February 17, 2016

Sub irrigated planter it shall be.

Gerardo · February 17, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Doss

self watering container?

Sub Irrigated Planter is a better way of saying it. The self watering part means it has some type of reservoir-water source below the mix. Typical designs involve a container within a container, and rely on capillary flow.

Raybo's earthtainer, earthboxes, RGGS, I think all those can be called self-watering.

Ricky Shaw · February 18, 2016

Anyone get a sizable and productive Sun Gold in a 15 or 20 gallon pot?

ginger2778 · February 18, 2016

Growing one right now in a 7 gallon. It is a monster. Splitting hasn't been an issue at all.

Ricky Shaw · February 18, 2016

Excellent, thank you Marsha.

encore · February 18, 2016

iv'e grown them in just 5 gallon buckets (actually they are 6 gallon) for 2 years now, and didn't have any problems, they grew great, over 6 feet tall, had tray under buckets and just watered from the bottom keeping tray filled.

December 28, 2015	#1
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	Sungold in a SWC? I made reference to this in another thread, but it really fits better here... Has anyone had experience with a large cherry tomato plant like Sungold in a SWContainer? My issue is splitting, but I guess this is not a universal problem. It definitely has been for me -- touch them to pick them when ripe, and about half of them split. If you don't let them completely ripen, then they don't split, and also don't taste as good. A SWC seems with a good high-drainage media seems like it might be a good solution. Keeps them from getting too much water during heavy rains with a cover, and avoid "ups and downs" in the moisture content. I've got an old square Rubbermaid planter that should serve this purpose quite well. But hopefully someone has done this before and can tell us how it worked. -GG

December 28, 2015	#3
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I grow everything in SWC and have had no issues with sungold splitting, unless they are super duper overripe ... I try and cover the tops of my 5-gallon buckets with a plastic "shower cap" so the only water supply should be from the bottom __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

February 17, 2016	#5
Uncle Doss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: zone 5b/6a Posts: 134	Please forgive my ignorance, but what id an SWC? __________________ Anything in life worth doing is worth over-doing. Moderation is for cowards.

February 17, 2016	#9
Uncle Doss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: zone 5b/6a Posts: 134	self watering container? __________________ Anything in life worth doing is worth over-doing. Moderation is for cowards.

December 28, 2015	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have often wondered if the low barometric pressure that comes with a storm has something to do with it. Worth

December 28, 2015	#4
rwsacto Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 288	I have grown sungold in an 18 gal. SWC for several years. I also grow sungold in the raised bed every year. The sungold plant in the SWC can be planted earlier with some heat to the reservoir and plant protection. The SWC plant growth will be limited by the size of the container. By mid season, the roots will find there way into to water reservoir. This makes the fruit less flavorful (more watery) than those grown in the ground. If the SWC is your preference, go for it. Rick

February 17, 2016	#6
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	Self Watering Container. Makes things a breeze.

February 17, 2016	#7
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	sub-watered container Just for what it's worth, my Sungold don't split. I grow them in ridges of the best soil I can scrape up, under black plastic with drip. Even when other varieties split, my Sungold don't. Elongated cherries are the worst about splitting for me.

February 18, 2016	#12
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	Anyone get a sizable and productive Sun Gold in a 15 or 20 gallon pot?

February 18, 2016	#13
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Growing one right now in a 7 gallon. It is a monster. Splitting hasn't been an issue at all.

February 18, 2016	#15
encore Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: wisconsin Posts: 536	iv'e grown them in just 5 gallon buckets (actually they are 6 gallon) for 2 years now, and didn't have any problems, they grew great, over 6 feet tall, had tray under buckets and just watered from the bottom keeping tray filled.