good plant development in plastic pot

Jlfarlow · May 9, 2016

I am new to the forums. I just started growing tomatoes this year, I live in SoCal, and I already have some fruiting tomatoes in pots. I planted them in January in some large plastic pots I inherited. I have some young plants in fabric pots, but I am wondering about plant care for the ones in plastic, which I am learning, is not as great a growing container. Is there anything I can do to help the roots and ensure good plant development?

zipcode · May 12, 2016

Wrap in thick aluminium foil. The biggest problem with plastic is that the roots get hotter, this should help quite a bit. As for better aeration, not sure what you could do, a good potting soil probably.

Father'sDaughter · May 12, 2016

If the plastic pots have good drainage holes and you have someplace to put them where they will be on the ground (versus on pavement), the roots will naturally extend out the drainage holes and into the soil. It just has to be someplace where you won't have to move them all season.

schill93 · May 12, 2016

Container plants require a Potting MIx , which consists of mostly peat moss for good drainage. Do not use soil, as it will compact too much and hinder drainage.
Feed nutrients on a weekly bases. Make sure you have good drainage holes. They are better placed on the side of the pots about two inches up from bottom (depending on size of pot)

May 9, 2016	#1
Jlfarlow Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glendale, Ca Posts: 3	good plant development in plastic pot I am new to the forums. I just started growing tomatoes this year, I live in SoCal, and I already have some fruiting tomatoes in pots. I planted them in January in some large plastic pots I inherited. I have some young plants in fabric pots, but I am wondering about plant care for the ones in plastic, which I am learning, is not as great a growing container. Is there anything I can do to help the roots and ensure good plant development?

May 12, 2016	#2
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	Wrap in thick aluminium foil. The biggest problem with plastic is that the roots get hotter, this should help quite a bit. As for better aeration, not sure what you could do, a good potting soil probably.

May 12, 2016	#3
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	If the plastic pots have good drainage holes and you have someplace to put them where they will be on the ground (versus on pavement), the roots will naturally extend out the drainage holes and into the soil. It just has to be someplace where you won't have to move them all season.

May 12, 2016	#4
schill93 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Nevada Posts: 275	Container plants require a Potting MIx , which consists of mostly peat moss for good drainage. Do not use soil, as it will compact too much and hinder drainage. Feed nutrients on a weekly bases. Make sure you have good drainage holes. They are better placed on the side of the pots about two inches up from bottom (depending on size of pot)