The Pros and Cons of using Grow Bags

BVGardener · March 14, 2008

I don't have a ton of experiance with growing in containers....have experimented with the self-watering types and thinking about using a grow bag type of container.

For those who have experiance with them, could you tell me a little about the product itself....what it's made out of, how large, etc. How well did the plants do....same as in a bucket?

Craig mentioned trouble with keeping them upright.

I might add that my intended purpose for these would be for the dwarf varieties but am interested in growing experiance with all types....dwarf, indeterminate, determinate, etc.

Comments??

Jay

**Dukerdawg** · March 14, 2008

Jay, I don't have experience but am curious to get answers to this question also. In my exuberance I ordered approx 100 grow bags! Some 5 gallon, some 10 gallon and some 12 gallon. My deck, driveway and extra space around my GH will be a tomato jungle this year. After vowing to cut back last year, which I did, I am going gung-ho this year. Crazy? Yes? Fun? I sure hope so!

Duane

**mdvpc** · March 14, 2008

I have used grow bags for years-I wash them with bleach and a soap solution. I use 5 gallon for herbs and dwarf tomatoes in the winter greenhouse.

Have used 5 gallon for eggplant , chile and cukes in the summer-I think there is a cuke thread from last year. I only grow in containers.

I will be planting 4 plants to a 15 gallon container this summer (will put my plants out on 3/30)-I have done this many times-including brandy boy, brandywine red landis, momotaro, etc. Dwarf, determinate and indeterminate-all can be grown in a grow bag. I only use the ones I can buy at groworganic.com, and they are called easi-lift.

"Similar to our plastic nursery grow bags, but made with heavier plastic and handles. These strong handles make carrying heavy plants and trees easier. The white color of these bags helps to prevent root coiling and drainage holes allow for proper drainage. All components, including the sewing thread, are UV stabilized, thus prolonging the bag's longevity."

Someone posted they don't have the 5 gallon now, but I have plenty of the 5 gallon left from previous years.

One reason I use the easi-lift is that they are white, and the roots stay cooler in our desert heat. I also use zeba in the containers to keep the moisture levels good. I have mine caged, and have never had problems with them tipping-I cage them and fix them to the rock wall with wire and a nail. Craig puts his out on the driveway which is concrete.

Be happy to answer any other questions.

edward · March 15, 2008

what are grow bags and where would one get them?

**mdvpc** · March 29, 2008

Edward and BV-

Edward, sorry my post answering your question didnt make it to TV. Dont know why. You can buy 5/12/15/30 gallon grow bags at groworganic.com.

Here is the link to the grow bags.

http://www.groworganic.com/search.ht...tegory=catalog

I use the easi-lift white bags. This summer, I am using 15 gallon.

Jay-I grow everything in grow bags-for one plant in the greenhouse in the winter/fall, I use 5 gallon. Outside, I am getting ready to plant 4 plants of the same variety in 15 gallon grow bags.

feldon30 · March 29, 2008

The most obvious "con" or negative to me is where do you put the tomato cage?

**mdvpc** · March 30, 2008

mine fit right over the grow bag-like this:

real stable-doesnt tip over.

squibT · March 30, 2008

Hi mdvpc,

I guess those are 15 gal bags in the pic? Did you make the cages yourself?

**mdvpc** · March 30, 2008

Squib-They are the 15 gallon. I didnt make the cages myself, I bought them from Tomato Growers years ago, and they are still great. They fold up after the season is over.

BVGardener · April 2, 2008

Thanks for the feedback on the growbags. Too late to use this spring but I may give them a go this fall.

Jay

edward · April 2, 2008

Thank you very much for the info on grow bags.
Ed

**mdvpc** · April 2, 2008

Edward-No problem-if you have any other questions, just ask.

mresseguie · April 3, 2008

Michael,

I'm sitting here scratching my head trying to decide if it is outside of the greenhouse or in it, but.....Is that an air conditioner in the back of the picture for your greenhouse???

**mdvpc** · April 3, 2008

It is an air conditioner. The greenhouse came with a "swamp cooler" an evap unit, but there was just too much moisture. So I put in a refrigerated unit. Its not used very often, but I use it in April/May for a while and also in Sept/Oct.

natural · April 4, 2008

I am trying grow bags for the 1st time. I will be using the 12 or 15 gallon size.

Would you recommend 1 or 2 Indets per bag?

Can anyone provide info regarding expected watering needs?

As for watering requirements, what would be the expected frequency and duration of watering cycles, assuming I am watering by hand? Note: I am in the southeast US. Also, I will be applying the standard rate of the Zeba product to the soiless mix. This will definitely be an experiment, so any info is appreciated.

Thanks.
Bill

March 14, 2008	#1
BVGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 542	The Pros and Cons of using Grow Bags I don't have a ton of experiance with growing in containers....have experimented with the self-watering types and thinking about using a grow bag type of container. For those who have experiance with them, could you tell me a little about the product itself....what it's made out of, how large, etc. How well did the plants do....same as in a bucket? Craig mentioned trouble with keeping them upright. I might add that my intended purpose for these would be for the dwarf varieties but am interested in growing experiance with all types....dwarf, indeterminate, determinate, etc. Comments?? Jay Last edited by BVGardener; March 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM.

March 14, 2008	#2
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	Jay, I don't have experience but am curious to get answers to this question also. In my exuberance I ordered approx 100 grow bags! Some 5 gallon, some 10 gallon and some 12 gallon. My deck, driveway and extra space around my GH will be a tomato jungle this year. After vowing to cut back last year, which I did, I am going gung-ho this year. Crazy? Yes? Fun? I sure hope so! Duane __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

March 14, 2008	#3
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	I have used grow bags for years-I wash them with bleach and a soap solution. I use 5 gallon for herbs and dwarf tomatoes in the winter greenhouse. Have used 5 gallon for eggplant , chile and cukes in the summer-I think there is a cuke thread from last year. I only grow in containers. I will be planting 4 plants to a 15 gallon container this summer (will put my plants out on 3/30)-I have done this many times-including brandy boy, brandywine red landis, momotaro, etc. Dwarf, determinate and indeterminate-all can be grown in a grow bag. I only use the ones I can buy at groworganic.com, and they are called easi-lift. "Similar to our plastic nursery grow bags, but made with heavier plastic and handles. These strong handles make carrying heavy plants and trees easier. The white color of these bags helps to prevent root coiling and drainage holes allow for proper drainage. All components, including the sewing thread, are UV stabilized, thus prolonging the bag's longevity." Someone posted they don't have the 5 gallon now, but I have plenty of the 5 gallon left from previous years. One reason I use the easi-lift is that they are white, and the roots stay cooler in our desert heat. I also use zeba in the containers to keep the moisture levels good. I have mine caged, and have never had problems with them tipping-I cage them and fix them to the rock wall with wire and a nail. Craig puts his out on the driveway which is concrete. Be happy to answer any other questions. __________________ Michael

March 29, 2008	#5
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Edward and BV- Edward, sorry my post answering your question didnt make it to TV. Dont know why. You can buy 5/12/15/30 gallon grow bags at groworganic.com. Here is the link to the grow bags. http://www.groworganic.com/search.ht...tegory=catalog I use the easi-lift white bags. This summer, I am using 15 gallon. Jay-I grow everything in grow bags-for one plant in the greenhouse in the winter/fall, I use 5 gallon. Outside, I am getting ready to plant 4 plants of the same variety in 15 gallon grow bags. __________________ Michael

March 29, 2008	#6
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	The most obvious "con" or negative to me is where do you put the tomato cage? __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

March 15, 2008	#4
edward Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 5	what are grow bags and where would one get them?

March 30, 2008	#8
squibT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nanaimo, BC (7b) Posts: 89	Hi mdvpc, I guess those are 15 gal bags in the pic? Did you make the cages yourself?

April 2, 2008	#10
BVGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 542	Thanks for the feedback on the growbags. Too late to use this spring but I may give them a go this fall. Jay

April 3, 2008	#13
mresseguie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 159	Michael, I'm sitting here scratching my head trying to decide if it is outside of the greenhouse or in it, but.....Is that an air conditioner in the back of the picture for your greenhouse??? __________________ Learning to speak tomato! Got compost?

April 4, 2008	#15
natural Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North GA Posts: 530	I am trying grow bags for the 1st time. I will be using the 12 or 15 gallon size. Would you recommend 1 or 2 Indets per bag? Can anyone provide info regarding expected watering needs? As for watering requirements, what would be the expected frequency and duration of watering cycles, assuming I am watering by hand? Note: I am in the southeast US. Also, I will be applying the standard rate of the Zeba product to the soiless mix. This will definitely be an experiment, so any info is appreciated. Thanks. Bill