General discussion regarding the techniques and methods used to successfully grow tomato plants in containers.
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September 8, 2006 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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So far my success on growing tomatoes in containers is 0 for 2.
That said, soil from a construction site + lots of compost = heavy soil. It slows down root growth. By how much, I don't know. I do agree with drilling holes a few inches up the side of the pots in addition to the holes in the bottom. If the only holes are resting on hard-packed clay, then you get no drainage.
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September 8, 2006 | #17 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 2,984
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My container success has been very mixed and unpredictable.
You'd think dwarves generally would do better than indeterminates, right? Well, it seems to depend on the variety of dwarf. Some did well for me and some were complete failures ... all in the same size containers and same growing medium which basically has been composted pine bark and hardwood fines, sand, perlite, and baked clay oil absorb (unscented kitty litter). I have a very limited experience in container grown tomatoes, but here's a scant few diverse tomato varieties that have done well for me in containers ... and I've never used anything larger than 5 gallon buckets and generally the soil is about 2 - 3 inches from the rims: Early Girl Health Kick Lemon Boy Lime Green Salad Patio F1 Queen Anne's Lace Silvery Fir Tree And every single one of my hot pepper varieties did great this year in 3 - 5 gallon containers using the same or similar media with regular watering, fertilizing with MG-type blossom, rose, or tomato formulae about every two weeks, and flushing once a month. PV |
September 8, 2006 | #18 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
Posts: 3,848
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Pot Pics 2006:
Silvery Fir Tree (large clay pot - has come back alive aNd is still producing tomatoes ???!!! Loved production and flavor BTW) Golden Dwarf Champion (large square plastic pot - I did not like the taste at all, but did produce plenty of toms) Mary Ann (5 gallon bucket - got 4 fruits) Seems to me , that some fertilizer would help my cause ... I need to use something organic ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
September 8, 2006 | #19 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 1,241
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Thanks Michael. I will do the second way as I have already planted. The potting mix I used has some fert in it anyway.
This Sudden Impact for Roses gets rave reveiws from the rose folk so I hope the tomatoes like it as well. |
September 9, 2006 | #20 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 347
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Mantis, Have you look around to see if there is something similar to the Tomato Tone here is Australia?
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September 9, 2006 | #21 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 1,241
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Sudden Impact for Roses. Dont know if its Tone or not. It smells OK. Similar specs.
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September 9, 2006 | #22 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,386
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Tone is a trade name for Espoma-they have different Tones-Garden Tone, Tomato Tone, etc. The tomato forumula is 4-7-10 with all micronutrients-in other words, its a complete fert-macro and micro.
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Michael |
September 9, 2006 | #23 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 347
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Tom some of those tomatoes don't look too bad considering you didn't fertilize at all. They might enjoy a nice seaweed cuppa
Thank you Michael I'll see what I can find that is organic and comes close to that formula. Mantis, I think I'd rather find something ready to use then start to raise levels of this and that myself. Bit too risky I think for me. |
September 11, 2006 | #24 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
Posts: 3,848
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Full Moon -
Did you happen to get out and gather seaweed for your garden ? Your seaons just getting started right ? ~ Tom
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
September 11, 2006 | #25 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 347
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Tom, Yes I did. We build the new raised bed back in March/April and fill them with half new soil and half mixture of seaweed/mushroom compost/manure.
Spring is definatly here and the weather is beautiful. Yesterday I planted 10 tommies in pots I will wait another couple of weeks for the ones in the garden. I've been drewling over your tomato pictures all season I hope I can return the favour in a couple of months :wink: |
September 12, 2006 | #26 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
Posts: 3,848
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Great to hear about the seaweed ~
I'm sure you'll see a difference ! Did you wash it ? On that note I'll post one last "taste-bud teaser" for you !!! ~ lol ~ Cherokee Purple: ~ Tom ps. I need you to post picks in my winter which is in a few months !
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
September 12, 2006 | #27 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 347
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That is pure torture! You kept the best for last. Beautiful tomato I can almost taste it.
Looks like you had a very good season this year except for the greens if I remember correctly. No I didn't wash the seaweed. I wasn't sure if I should or not so I went and got a few books from the librairy (so can't look it up to quote what I read) on organic gardening and it was suggested not to wash the seaweed. The little salt and sand contained in the seaweed was beneficial to the soil. Do you wash yours? |
September 13, 2006 | #28 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NJ Bayshore
Posts: 3,848
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Full Moon ~
Sorry, lol .... I had to post it ! (was one of my favs) You are right about my season ... everything but the "greens" worked out great - The first time I ever gathered seaweed, I rinsed it ... but after noticing no ill effects if I didn't wash it ? I just started adding it to the compost pile, and directly into the garden as a mulch ~ Also, I did add straw this year ... Didn't really notice a difference of "splash-back" on the lower leaves as some of my tomatoes still had disease - but I think lack of circulation contributed to foliage problems ~ But it did help retain water ~ Next year ... better spacing / less crowding - ~ Tom ps. I also posted that pic in anticipation of you posting yours; so you can get me through those "winter blues" ! Which is coming quite quick I might add ... was 50 when I got up this AM !!!
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My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale |
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