The EarthTainer "Farm" in Northern California - April 1

[rnewste]

The brown roots could be a sign of too much moisture in the mix. I've not experienced this before so maybe others can give you better advice. Does the mix appear wet when you scoop out a handful? What base mix are you using?

Raybo

[Virtex]

Black Magic potting soil from Big Lots which looks a lot like what you describe promix to be and some a kellog product which is a combination of fine bark, perlite and has dolomite added. My mix looks and feels like you describe yours to be.

Its possible I didn't mix them together good enough. When I dug out some of the dirt it did seem a bit moist that was probably it.

Thanks for the input

[rnewste]

Virtex,

When you mention "potting soil" I get very nervous. I've never had a good experience using potting soil in a container. On the bag, what is the first ingredient listed? You want it to be Sphagnum Peat.

Raybo

EDIT: I stand corrected!

[Virtex]

The first ingredient is Sphagnum Peat.

Wish I was rich so i could buy the fancy stuff. Currently unemployed so I guess I will just have to take my chance with what I got. 20 of my plants are doing great in the same mix, so its not a total loss. I have tons of extra tomato plants so replanting isn't a big deal.

My success rate is pretty high, it seems it is hard to mess up tomatoes, they just want to grow. My black cherry last year was 10 feet tall.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will post a pic so you can check mine out

[Virtex]

Here's my concrete container garden...got a couple plants that are 2 feet tall. The brandywine is looking good, my tiger-like has got a couple fruit set. My sungold is in a 15 gallon smart pot. Looking like a real good tomato year.











Sun Gold







Lettuce, radishes, zuccini




Thanks for looking

[rnewste]

Virtex - looks excellent!!

Keep us updated with photos, when you can.

Raybo

[JamesL]

Virtex,
I will echo Ray. Wow, great setup! Plants look great. On your way to a "concrete jungle". Best of luck on or a bountiful harvest.

[efisakov]

wow... nice

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by Mark0820

Everything is looking good as usual.

Mark, thanks for the seeds of Sarah black you send me. They germinated and looking good.
thank you

[Dewayne mater]

Nice looking plants Virtex! At the rate you are going, you are going to need figure out some additional means of supporting those plants. When they are blasting past 6 feet and heading for 10 plus, those green garden stakes won't be enough. Not sure if they will work on those tubs or not (think they will) but you might look into Raybos detachable tall cages made from Gurney's pea fences. I believe someone posted a coupon code the other day for a significant discount on those. Good luck!

Dewayne Mater

[rnewste]

Dewayne,

The EarthTainer cages will not adapt to the containers Virtex is using. I would recommend an inexpensive trellis mesh netting suspended from a "Tee" support base made of 2" PVC across his container array.

Raybo

[b54red]

They all look good to me. You guys must spend a fortune on containers and mix.

[rnewste]

b54red,

If you average out the cost of the containers over a 5 to 8 year lifespan, they are not too bad. Also, as you can see with Virtex' setup, many of us are relegated to grow on concrete patios or wooden decks so cost becomes a relative issue.

Raybo

[dfollett]

Raybo - Great looking plants (as usual).

Last year you experimented with 4 of the Dwarf Project plants in one 'Tainer. I couldn't find any final conclusion as to whether or not that crowds them too much or if it works. Did it work? Are you planting the same scheme with the Dwarves this year?

Thanks in advance - Dan

[rnewste]

Dan,

You have a good memory!

Even though the Dwarf plants are more compact, growing 4 of them was just too dense. 3 would be the maximum I would recommend in the 31 gallon EarthTainer.

Raybo