A revisit of 2 gallonville

[BlackBear]

Originally Posted by digsdirt

Could you clarify something for me? You say you are using #2 pots industry standard, correct? If so they hold 6 quarts of potting mix. I'm in the business and use them all the time. A #1 holds 3 quarts max (0.62 IG), a #2 holds 6 quarts max (1.24 IG). So you are growing in a bit over 1 IG (6 US qts.).

Can I ask why such small containers? I'm sure you have explained that before but I'd appreciate if you could direct me to it. Are you interested is how they can be converted to hold 2x as much soil? We do it in the GH all the time. Not for tomato plants of course as I would consider them still far too small for ideal growth. But you could give it a try if interested in improving your odds of success a bit.

Dave

yeah that's the talk from before ..ha ha ha

the No. 1 is often referred to as 1 gallon ...and of course it is more like 0.75 gallon max

and the no. 2 are called 2gallon by etc. and the fun just goes from there...

I have started to use an Oddball container size that was about 9.5 liters (that was listed as 3 gallon right beside an 11.5 liter container that was also listed as 3 gallon .

I call the 9.5 liter a 2.5 gallon as it is larger than the no.2 but still more compact than 3.

I do have many no. 2 and no. 1 containers but they are used for some varieties that have proven happy with minimal care at that size ........

I am trying to push the envelope for the smallest container size with most substantial plant with medium care . At that size the plant can be easily moved inside /outside under newer drier conditions/ under lights etc ...back out doors etc.

I like the 9.5 liter size at present ...it has grown from the no. 2 container size and it is a bit smaller more compact than the 11.5 liter (bit to big for my ideas etc. )

I am aware that this pursuit is not the regular 5-10 gallon minimum size for container stuff.


Sounds interesting of about converting to 2x soil .capacity.....

what do you mean ?

I just stack one plant container on another container with soil only to be a moisture extension reservoir for the plant. Is that also what you do ?

[digsdirt]

I just stack one plant container on another container with soil only to be a moisture extension reservoir for the plant. Is that also what you do ?

You can cut the bottom out of 1 pot, slide it down about 1" inside another one and super glue, screw or pop rivet in place so it is 2x as deep. Or you can take 3 of them, cut 1/3 out of one side of each of the three and super glue them into a 3 leaf clover shape.

I picked up a truck load of them at an auction a couple of years back and decided to get creative with some of them to make some bigger containers.

Good luck with your experiments. I see now why you are looking for all the small varieties.

Dave

[BlackBear]

Originally Posted by digsdirt

You can cut the bottom out of 1 pot, slide it down about 1" inside another one and super glue, screw or pop rivet in place so it is 2x as deep. Or you can take 3 of them, cut 1/3 out of one side of each of the three and super glue them into a 3 leaf clover shape.

I picked up a truck load of them at an auction a couple of years back and decided to get creative with some of them to make some bigger containers.

Good luck with your experiments. I see now why you are looking for all the small varieties.

Dave

hmmmmm most interesting .......I guess I have a system of "docking" the 2.5 gallon containers ....I have a few sites that have the extra containers to "dock " on the top of
to access extra water/soil reservoir and nutes in the bottom containers.......outside and in protected locations

I also have a Perlite/vermiculite table 3" deep in garage ready to "dock "into in Fall I will also put an old heating cable this year in the pearlite to keep soil temps at approx. 70.
with T-5 lighting ......my main game is extension of season. Suspension of the terminus and then shorter rest/winter (6-8 weeks) and then re-start cycle earlier . BUT not total year round culture.

Those riveting ideas are interesting ideas.

I think people around here value the 1 gallon containers and the 5 gallon containers (and up ) .

The 2 and 2.5 gallon containers are undervalued and are "economical' when you find them around here .

I am also interested in an equilateral triangle prism shaped container system that would fit into a hexagon pattern as well .. tessellation of the plane and all that stuff .

To me I would be most happy to find a 10 liter triangular prism shaped container. for this pursuit.

[digsdirt]

Something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-RZJM.../dp/B002IYHIKG

Dave

[BlackBear]

Originally Posted by digsdirt

Something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-RZJM.../dp/B002IYHIKG

Dave

that is a cool set up ....but I note that same idea could be achieved also with your idea of

3 pots joined into a cloverleaf shape as mentioned before and then stacked in 3 levels of clover leaf shapes out of phase . to give the access to the planting areas.

That is neat ..but not what I was meaning .....

I will have to search more for the pots/vessels...maybe have to order .......import with
......Ali Baba

or (god forbid) ...manufacture it myself. Guess for now I'll work with what is available.

[BlackBear]

Hey all ...I am looking very much to bundling 3 varieties of Japanese Micro Dwarf in a 2-5 -3 gallon size :

Rejina red , Rejina Yellow and Chibbiko all in one container .....I am also tempted to add a Venus (orange) for a Colourful Quadrilogy in a Container ....LOL

Anybody know of any other OP micro dwarfs that have become available in the last while ??

[AudreyFL]

I'm growing a few from Dwarf Tomato Project in 3 gal containers as well as Maglia Rosa which so far is doing great. Everything is blossoming now & this is my first year growing so will update with taste, yield, etc.

What are you using for mix in containers? I have half in 5-1-1 of bark fines, crushed granite, and Turface and the others in Fafard professional all purpose with added bone meal & MG tomato shake & feed. Seems like seedlings liked the Fafard when potting up, grew faster/stronger but now the 5-1-1 mix with Foliage Pro diluted are looking better overall.

Will check out the Japanese Micros. Growing season almost over here so will look into them for fall planting. (South Florida)

[BlackBear]

Very cool.... let me know which of those Dwarf project varieties did well for you in 3 gallon

for me it was Yukon Quest did the best in the 3 gallon the last few years .....but I am always
all ears to if someone had success with another below the "5 gallon threshold "

For my containers I have a mix that is easy for me to follow .....

2 Parts (x container !) perlite...2parts sphagnum ....2 parts compost ...2 parts "Seasoil " (Local product of fish waste and forestry waste) and 2 parts old soil ....

soil amendments (nutes) Include Gaia.. Fish bone meal , Kelp meal , ..MgSO4 , can have a smattering of Calphos , or even Dolomite ..or even ..MG ....

I am not above foliar feeding in the small containers to give them a boost .