Growing in conatiners

[cjp1953]

How large of a container would you need to grow a Black cherry tomato plant?My daughter and son-in-law live in a condo.,so no place to plant outdoors.I have extra seedlings growing and my daughter and grandson love cherry tomatoes.They have a back porch that gets enough light.I do have some 5 gal. buckets but might try a local nursery and pick up a plastic pot they would sell a small bush in.

[efisakov]

I grew it in 5 gal. container few years ago, it was low production. While in ground each plant would give me 10 pounds or more, small container gave only 3. Even though it is a cherry plant, it will grow big, easily 10 feet.

[AZGardener]

In my experience and bc it gets so warm here... At least 10 gal a pot will give you a nice harvest. I put two cherry tomato plants in whiskey barrels (I think those are 20 gal??) and they always grow 7+ feet and cover themselves with fruit. So I would say if they have the space on their patio, a nice big pot with a cherry tomato and some flowers surrounding it would like rather nice

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by AZGardener

In my experience and bc it gets so warm here... At least 10 gal a pot will give you a nice harvest. I put two cherry tomato plants in whiskey barrels (I think those are 20 gal??) and they always grow 7+ feet and cover themselves with fruit. So I would say if they have the space on their patio, a nice big pot with a cherry tomato and some flowers surrounding it would like rather nice

They do get out of hand in my garden with their size,I thought a very large container would be needed.Did not think 5 gal. would be enough.

[gregory]

I grow mine in 10 gallon containers one plant per container and they do well.

[luigiwu]

I would recommend a self-watering container like an earthbox or a diy of an earthbox like a Alaska grow bucket, and then dwarf varieties.
http://www.alaskagrowbuckets.com/
However, if they have a spigot out there or an ability to put a water barrel/supply (both of which can be controlled by a float for delivery) then the options are endless. The issues of container gardening is the fact that the smaller grow medium can't hold as much as say dirt in the garden. You negate that issue when you provide the ability to give the plant continuous water as it needs it.

All of this is under the assumption that the spot gets good light.

[luigiwu]

I want to add that there is a separate subforum called 'Growing in Containers' so perhaps take a look there too.

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

I want to add that there is a separate subforum called 'Growing in Containers' so perhaps take a look there too.

Thanks,I missed that subforum.I'll look into that.

[Gardeneer]

I agree with AZgardener.
In hot climates you're better off with 10gallon maybe larger Unless you stand by your plants and water them twice a day in a 5 gallon bucket. Big container offers ease of mind and less worry. I am growing few dwarfs in 5 gallon but then I am in cool PNW not in the deep south, CA, TX..FL, AZ.

BTW: lot of BER cases happen when growing in small container, due boom to bust moisture fluctuation. In bigger containers that can be prevented.

Gardeneer.

[parah]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

I agree with AZgardener.
In hot climates you're better off with 10gallon maybe larger Unless you stand by your plants and water them twice a day in a 5 gallon bucket. Big container offers ease of mind and less worry. I am growing few dwarfs in 5 gallon but then I am in cool PNW not in the deep south, CA, TX..FL, AZ.

BTW: lot of BER cases happen when growing in small container, due boom to bust moisture fluctuation. In bigger containers that can be prevented.

Gardeneer.

Gardeneer is sharing great advice. I compared growing in 5 gallon smart pot versus a 15 gallon smart pot right next to each other. As you would expect... the 5 gallon tomato fruit were smaller, and had a lot of Blossom End Rot. The moisture just was not stable enough on hot days, even with watering every day.

From now on.... only dwarf plants go in 5 gallon pots.

Yes, you can definitely grow in tomatoes in 5 gallon pots, lots of people do. Amideutch has amazing success:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...a%27s+Red+Plum

I find growing easier in bigger pots.

[AKmark]

You can probably grow any variety in a 10 gallon container with great success, I haven't had too much trouble with any yet. I have found I will get slightly more yield from a 20 gallon though. In a 10 gallon container I prune a beefsteak to two branches, in a 20 gallon I have got away with four, but I prefer three.
Piece of cake, have fun

[Tall Tier]

I grow the majority of mine in five gal buckets and have great success but I am in the PNW so Gardeneers advice fits. Or try to find what works best for the conditions in your area by trying each 2.5 / 5 / 10 gal and see the differences first hand. Also remember a starting mix that retains moisture with peat moss and compost along with lime, bone meal, blood meal.

[amideutch]

I agree as the growing location definitely will determine container size if you are manually watering your containers. I live in what would be your zone 7 and have had no problem growing any type of tomato in 5 gal. containers. Weekly fertilizer applications are needed and depending on what she sets the container on can get stained from the drainage of the container. Your biggest problem is supporting the plant!

There are several Self Watering containers on the market available and some have plant supports as add on's for additional costs. Below is an example as to whats available.

http://www.agardenpatch.com/

http://www.agardenpatch.com/Grow-Box-Staking-Kit-2/

[Gardeneer]

You are correct, Tall Tier and Ami, about the climate , as I said before. I I was gardening somewhere in Southern California or in SW Texas, I would at least double up the size of my containers, would use white color instead of black pots. So as they say there is no "one size fits them all " formula for container size. But one can be sure that bigger container would do no harm o do plants but might hurt you in the wallet.

Gardeneer

[luigiwu]

And ricman has amazing success with 50cent walmart shopping bags as grow bags which I'm told is appro 7 gallons. A huge part of his success is a constant supply of water (via the RGGS, bottom reservoir thus never letting the plant dry out and get stressed.)
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=33037