too many...need help with planting

[birdermom]

So my seedlings were a success....all 70 or so. For some this may not be many or too many but for me with limited space, containers, etc, it is overwhelming. I need advice on how large the container needs to be for dwarfs and varieties that are reported to remain under 3 ft. What size grow bag, pot, etc, will be ok? I am planning to use my ground space for the larger ones that sprawl and grow 3+ feet but would like to grow others if I can accommodate their needs. As always, thanks for all advice and experience.....

[AZGardener]

I choose to put all my cherries and dwarfs in pots. This is because I don't have enough space in my garden for everyone so I plant the big maters in the raised beds, dwarfs in 5 gall or 10 gall pots, and the cherries in whiskey barrels. The more space you give it, the better it will do (though I believe the dwarfs only need 5 gal?). Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by birdermom

So my seedlings were a success....all 70 or so. For some this may not be many or too many but for me with limited space, containers, etc, it is overwhelming. I need advice on how large the container needs to be for dwarfs and varieties that are reported to remain under 3 ft. What size grow bag, pot, etc, will be ok? I am planning to use my ground space for the larger ones that sprawl and grow 3+ feet but would like to grow others if I can accommodate their needs. As always, thanks for all advice and experience.....

I am growing close to 10 dwarfs . I put them in 4 to 6 gallons : Some pots and some fabric bags.

In the ground, you can plant more (square foot wise) if you stake them instead of letting them sprawl. Maybe twice as many. Plus you'll have :

---Ease of harvesting
--- Disease prevention
--- Reduction in spoilage.
--- Keeping critters away

BUT you have to spend some money for stakes and lots of time and efforts to maintain them.

Choice is yours. It is your garden.

Gardeneer

[Cole_Robbie]

I've had to stake all my dwarfs, container or ground. The weight of the fruit makes them fall over. But it's quick work, not like having to tie indeterminate vines to a trellis every day. I had a high tunnel of Big Beef last year, and I spent 1-2 hrs a day tying back vines.

[birdermom]

So if I went with a few grow bags....5 gallon would do?

[Cole_Robbie]

I did well in 4-gallon pots. Five should be fine. That's not to dispute that ten gallon is good, too, but five will work.

[birdermom]

I have access to several large containers...20 inch deep, 22 across, maybe 25 or so gallons. How many dwarf or others do you think I could grow in these?

[Cole_Robbie]

The limit for me is usually the cost of the media. I am going to try to make my own from the best topsoil I can find, at least for the bottom layer of the container.

[rhines81]

Container plants require a whole new level of care and can be substantially more time consuming than growing in a garden unless you have a really good system in place. Ask yourself how much time you have and decide how many you can really take care of, then give away or sell the rest of your spares. Better to have 1/2 the amount of healthy productive plants rather than twice as many mediocre ones.

[Ed of Somis]

I have grown pretty intensely in containers for 3 years now. I have made it a point to study and learn. There are several knowledgeable experts on GardenWeb in the "container" forum. I can tell you confidently that there are a few key elements to success. 1. use a free-draining potting mix (whether you make custom or buy commercial). Do not use garden soil. 2. bigger pots are usually better (within reason). 3. It is best to fertilize often...but a dilute solution.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by Ed of Somis

I have grown pretty intensely in containers for 3 years now. I have made it a point to study and learn. There are several knowledgeable experts on GardenWeb in the "container" forum. I can tell you confidently that there are a few key elements to success. 1. use a free-draining potting mix (whether you make custom or buy commercial). Do not use garden soil. 2. bigger pots are usually better (within reason). 3. It is best to fertilize often...but a dilute solution.

Amen.
You have to learn the ropes in container gardening.

NEVER USE GARDEN SOIL AND/OR COMPOST. only SOIL LESS MEDIUM.
AVOID THINGS LIKE mg MOISTURE CONTROL
PRO MIX IS THE BEST COMMERCIAL POTTING MIX. KELLOGGS SEEMS TO HAVE SOME GOOD STUFF TOO.

Planting in a container the surface area / air is a big factor. If the container has round/square shape you cannot plant more than one, for the simple reason of controlling the foliage. That is why I recommend ONE plant per container. 5 gallon is good for dwarf. For dets 10 gallons might work. For some indets perhaps 15 to 25 gallons. The potting mix and container costs make planting huge indets in container uneconomical, IMO. Plus, supporting it is even a bigger problem.
So as long as you have in ground space, never plant indets in pots. JMO