264 gallon container

maxfromaustralia · July 22, 2012

Hi all I bought a large container from the garbage tip approx 7 feet x 3 feet 6 inches x 3 feet high which I calculate about 264 gallons. I have filled it with good quality potting mix that I won from a giant tomato competition. I was thinking of planting Green Giant, Wes, Kellogs Brekfast, Grandpa Charilie and either Chanti Rose or Black from Tula in it.
Do you think this is suitable for this pot and what might be the issues to consider. thanks Max

mcsee · July 22, 2012

Drainage would be one issue to look at, position is another as it will be too heavy to move if you've placed it in the wrong spot.

kurt · July 22, 2012

Some reinforcement on the long 7ft side at top so it will not bow out when full and wet.And as mcsee suggests good drainage.Imagine a lot of rain and filling it up with massive water amount.Definite layer of rocks(irregular shape)in the bottom for drying out.

zipcode · July 22, 2012

Since the amount of space is limited, you have to optimize it. Meaning pruning to single stem, and using varieties that have a decent plant/tomatoes ratio. Big varieties and multiflora cherries usually fit the bill. I found Indian Stripe to be an excellent candidate for plant size vs production, even in way undersized containers. It just seems to be content with less. I always have micronutrient problems with other varieties, but not with this one. Moravsky div is also good for this, but it's not the bestest tomato out there.

b54red · July 22, 2012

I agree with going single stem for maximum use of the limited space. There was a whole thread on varieties and how different ones performed as single stem plants. I remember Indian Stripe and Cherokee purple as being the top producers as single stem plants in my experiment. Others that did well were Zogola, Tarasenko-6, Black Krim, BTDP, Eva Purple Ball, Marianna's Peace and Spudakee. Varieties like Cowlicks Brandywine, Crnkovic Yugoslavian, Moreton, Gary O' Sena, Big Beef, Brandywine Sudduth's, Lumpy Red, Old Virginia, Hege German Pink, Kosovo, Fish Lake Oxheart, Rose and Neves Azorean Red did much better with 2 stems.

maxfromaustralia · July 23, 2012

Thanks guys We have such strong sun in Australia we usually don't prune or train. I can see now to get the maximum out of this trough I will need to prune lower leaves to let the air through and perhaps angle out bamboo poles. I will focus on the strongest leaders. fortunately the trough has had cross struts added as I think it was used to breed fish. With good quality deep and drained soil what will be the best and yummiest tomatoes to grow? I have plenty of deep rich root space but surface area of approx 25 square feet is limited to perhaps about 5 plants. I think strong tall growers would work best. But of course I want to balance growth, taste and yield. Thanks Max

July 22, 2012	#1
maxfromaustralia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 50	264 gallon container Hi all I bought a large container from the garbage tip approx 7 feet x 3 feet 6 inches x 3 feet high which I calculate about 264 gallons. I have filled it with good quality potting mix that I won from a giant tomato competition. I was thinking of planting Green Giant, Wes, Kellogs Brekfast, Grandpa Charilie and either Chanti Rose or Black from Tula in it. Do you think this is suitable for this pot and what might be the issues to consider. thanks Max

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July 22, 2012	#2
mcsee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Victoria. Australia Posts: 543	Drainage would be one issue to look at, position is another as it will be too heavy to move if you've placed it in the wrong spot.

July 22, 2012	#3
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	Some reinforcement on the long 7ft side at top so it will not bow out when full and wet.And as mcsee suggests good drainage.Imagine a lot of rain and filling it up with massive water amount.Definite layer of rocks(irregular shape)in the bottom for drying out.

July 22, 2012	#4
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Since the amount of space is limited, you have to optimize it. Meaning pruning to single stem, and using varieties that have a decent plant/tomatoes ratio. Big varieties and multiflora cherries usually fit the bill. I found Indian Stripe to be an excellent candidate for plant size vs production, even in way undersized containers. It just seems to be content with less. I always have micronutrient problems with other varieties, but not with this one. Moravsky div is also good for this, but it's not the bestest tomato out there.

July 22, 2012	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I agree with going single stem for maximum use of the limited space. There was a whole thread on varieties and how different ones performed as single stem plants. I remember Indian Stripe and Cherokee purple as being the top producers as single stem plants in my experiment. Others that did well were Zogola, Tarasenko-6, Black Krim, BTDP, Eva Purple Ball, Marianna's Peace and Spudakee. Varieties like Cowlicks Brandywine, Crnkovic Yugoslavian, Moreton, Gary O' Sena, Big Beef, Brandywine Sudduth's, Lumpy Red, Old Virginia, Hege German Pink, Kosovo, Fish Lake Oxheart, Rose and Neves Azorean Red did much better with 2 stems.

July 23, 2012	#6
maxfromaustralia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 50	Thanks guys We have such strong sun in Australia we usually don't prune or train. I can see now to get the maximum out of this trough I will need to prune lower leaves to let the air through and perhaps angle out bamboo poles. I will focus on the strongest leaders. fortunately the trough has had cross struts added as I think it was used to breed fish. With good quality deep and drained soil what will be the best and yummiest tomatoes to grow? I have plenty of deep rich root space but surface area of approx 25 square feet is limited to perhaps about 5 plants. I think strong tall growers would work best. But of course I want to balance growth, taste and yield. Thanks Max