General discussion regarding the techniques and methods used to successfully grow tomato plants in containers.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 2,484
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I have my containers out in the garden, as if they were in the ground (can't because of walnut trees). I grow all indeterminates, mostly heirlooms - they all grow big. My sun isn't totally ideal, and the plants tend to grow tall.
I have rows 3 feet apart, running north/south supported with Florida weave. I think the spacing between the rows is right for me - I can walk through easily and the plants get some air. But, in my quest to fit more varieties into limited space, I was wondering if I could cut down the space between tomatoes in the row. I'm using 18-gallon rubbermaid type containers, and have been spacing the plants 3 feet. Do you think I could put them closer? How much closer? |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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I put 3 containers about that size end to end, with the plants
trained on a trellis, no space between containers. They get a little tangled by end of summer, but not enough that I cannot tell which plant a branch is from. It helps if the containers each have plants with quite different looking fruit, so that I do not have to follow a branch back to the main stem to be sure which plant a particular fruit cluster is from.
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 2,484
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Ah, that's quite a bit closer. Gives me hope that I can squeeze a few more in there next year.
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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I think it depends on how they are trellised, caged, or staked.
I have about 6" mesh squares made out of 1/8" nylon rope above the containers. It is fairly easy to tuck branches in as they grow so that they fan out above the containers. Eventually branches overlap, but not enough to block much sunlight or air movement through them. If I get a handful that are too thick-stemmed to bend back in without risk of breaking them that are growing out away from the trellis, I just put a loop or two of string or whatever from one side of the plant to the other on that side of the trellis.
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Zone 4 Lake Minnetonka, MN
Posts: 967
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Due to limited space my 20 inch containers are planted basically side by side see pic of my plants from last year the third pic in the original post should show spacing I have pruned lightly the last few years with no issues:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ighlight=gobig Craig |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 2,484
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Wow Craig, those look great. Much closer than I've spaced mine, so I am encouraged. Thanks.
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: southeastern PA
Posts: 760
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Really beautiful plants, Craig. Great use of your space! Darlene
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 1,150
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Craig - Really nice! Remy commented in your original post (from July) on how big and healthy your container tomatoes look. What are you adding in the way of nutrients? I'm surprised at what you're getting in the modest sized containers.
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Zone 4 Lake Minnetonka, MN
Posts: 967
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Thanks all.
I just use miracle grow potting mix without moisture control (I can get about 2 and 1/3 Cubic feet of mix in the pots), sprinkle in a little osmocote for vegetables, add a couple Jobes tomato spikes, water with miracle grow for tomatoes ad plant out and maybe one more time a month later. This year I did add dolomite lime for BER, I usually do not have a ton of BER and did not have much again this year so not sure if the lime helped or not. Craig |
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