Grow bags

2gengh · February 16, 2017

I am in the process of making my own grow bags. They are approx 3 gallon bags. I am using a net pot in the bottom sitting on a gutter system. Is the 3 gallon bags big enough for tomatoes and peppers etc. I have been told that I need at least 5 gal bags. Any thoughts.

Gardeneer · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2gengh

I am in the process of making my own grow bags. They are approx 3 gallon bags. I am using a net pot in the bottom sitting on a gutter system. Is the 3 gallon bags big enough for tomatoes and peppers etc. I have been told that I need at least 5 gal bags. Any thoughts.

I think 3 gallon is way too small for most tomatoes except maybe for micros and some hot chili peppers.
Yes , 5 gallon is on the border line, that is recommended to use for most varieties. Ten (10) gallons plus is better for indeterminants.
When container is too small, it has some disadvantages :

-- The plant will get root bound, stay dwarfish and produce fewer and smaller fruits.
-- It will need more frequent watering and fertilizing. Even then the moisture level will be inconsistent and that in turn might cause BER..
JMO

2gengh · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

I think 3 gallon is way too small for most tomatoes except maybe for micros and some hot chili peppers.
Yes , 5 gallon is on the border line, that is recommended to use for most varieties. Ten (10) gallons plus is better for indeterminants.
When container is too small, it has some disadvantages :

-- The plant will get root bound, stay dwarfish and produce fewer and smaller fruits.
-- It will need more frequent watering and fertilizing. Even then the moisture level will be inconsistent and that in turn might cause BER..
JMO

THANKS... I will use these small bags for something else......

Gardeneer · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2gengh

THANKS... I will use these small bags for something else......

In the past I have bought and used cheap re-usable grocery bags ( from Kroger/Fred Mayers ) for peppers and dwarfs. The bigger size was over 6 gallons. And the cost : 89 cents.
I still have some of those and might plant ornamental peppers in them.

Merridiel · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

In the past I have bought and used cheap re-usable grocery bags ( from Kroger/Fred Mayers ) for peppers and dwarfs. The bigger size was over 6 gallons. And the cost : 89 cents.
I still have some of those and might plant ornamental peppers in them.

Walmart has bags this size for 50 cents each. Or at least, they did a few months ago when I was buying a few dozen to plant in.

Gardeneer · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merridiel

Walmart has bags this size for 50 cents each. Or at least, they did a few months ago when I was buying a few dozen to plant in.

That is a good deal. Even it just last one season, what will be the damage ? 50 cents ?

Gerardo · February 17, 2017

The RGGS will keep the moisture consistent, and if you're able to feed them adequately with liquid nutes and/or slow release granules, plus Cal-Mag (via liquid or dol-lime), you can get away with the 3 gallon bags. Give it a shot, worst case scenario you get smaller tomatoes that have more intense flavor.

Compact plants, such as Bushy Chabarovsky or other bushy determinates, any from the dwarf project, lots to choose from.

I've grown "larger" indeterminates in as little as 4 gallons and they do just fine, the RGGS helps you get away with smaller volumes.

Some of the larger plants, and even some of the dwarfs have gone full kratky, bursting through the bag, through the net cup and doing a Rapunzel impression in the tube.

maxjohnson · February 17, 2017

You should be able to use 3-5gallon bags for dwarf plants as I am now. I'm using 5gallon for cherry tomatoes too.

Gardeneer · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxjohnson

You should be able to use 3-5gallon bags for dwarf plants as I am now. I'm using 5gallon for cherry tomatoes too.

Dwarfs that I have grown, were bigger than some determinants. They can grow upward of 5 ft and bushy too.

YMMV

MuddyToes · February 18, 2017

I've used 7 and 10 gallon root pouches for tomatoes with pretty good results.

Father'sDaughter · February 18, 2017

I go with five gallon bags for dwarf tomatoes and they do very well. I grew some dwarf project tomatoes in both five gallon bags and in ground last year, and didn't see much difference in plant size or production.

Three gallon bags are perfect for small, super hot peppers. I've grown both habaneros and Scotch Bonnets in three gallon grow bags and ended up with healthy plants, loaded with more peppers than I knew what to do with!

Gardeneer · February 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

I go with five gallon bags for dwarf tomatoes and they do very well. I grew some dwarf project tomatoes in both five gallon bags and in ground last year, and didn't see much difference in plant size or production.

Three gallon bags are perfect for small, super hot peppers. I've grown both habaneros and Scotch Bonnets in three gallon grow bags and ended up with healthy plants, loaded with more peppers than I knew what to do with!

I have grown some in 5 gallon too:
== Pink Passion
== Rosella Crimson
== Dwarf Purple Heat ( biggest .. staking was a problem. Cage would be better)
and few others.
I have grown most of my hot peppers in re usable grocery bags ( 5 to 7 gallon ). They did fine as they produced just on flush of peppers in my then PNW climate.

AKmark · February 18, 2017

I have grown two plants in 6 gallon bags, this year I am using 5 gallon and most will have two plants. At the end of the season the vines average 15-20 feet Piece of cake if you keep them watered.
The plants at the right side of the pic are two plants in a 6 gallon.

2gengh · February 19, 2017

What is RGGS? I so need to learn so much!:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo

The RGGS will keep the moisture consistent, and if you're able to feed them adequately with liquid nutes and/or slow release granules, plus Cal-Mag (via liquid or dol-lime), you can get away with the 3 gallon bags. Give it a shot, worst case scenario you get smaller tomatoes that have more intense flavor.

Compact plants, such as Bushy Chabarovsky or other bushy determinates, any from the dwarf project, lots to choose from.

I've grown "larger" indeterminates in as little as 4 gallons and they do just fine, the RGGS helps you get away with smaller volumes.

Some of the larger plants, and even some of the dwarfs have gone full kratky, bursting through the bag, through the net cup and doing a Rapunzel impression in the tube.

Father'sDaughter · February 19, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2gengh

What is RGGS? I so need to learn so much!:

Rain Gutter Grow System

February 16, 2017	#1
2gengh Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 20	Grow bags I am in the process of making my own grow bags. They are approx 3 gallon bags. I am using a net pot in the bottom sitting on a gutter system. Is the 3 gallon bags big enough for tomatoes and peppers etc. I have been told that I need at least 5 gal bags. Any thoughts.

February 17, 2017	#7
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	The RGGS will keep the moisture consistent, and if you're able to feed them adequately with liquid nutes and/or slow release granules, plus Cal-Mag (via liquid or dol-lime), you can get away with the 3 gallon bags. Give it a shot, worst case scenario you get smaller tomatoes that have more intense flavor. Compact plants, such as Bushy Chabarovsky or other bushy determinates, any from the dwarf project, lots to choose from. I've grown "larger" indeterminates in as little as 4 gallons and they do just fine, the RGGS helps you get away with smaller volumes. Some of the larger plants, and even some of the dwarfs have gone full kratky, bursting through the bag, through the net cup and doing a Rapunzel impression in the tube. Last edited by Gerardo; February 17, 2017 at 05:06 AM.

February 17, 2017	#8
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	You should be able to use 3-5gallon bags for dwarf plants as I am now. I'm using 5gallon for cherry tomatoes too.

February 18, 2017	#10
MuddyToes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Delaware Posts: 234	I've used 7 and 10 gallon root pouches for tomatoes with pretty good results.

February 18, 2017	#11
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I go with five gallon bags for dwarf tomatoes and they do very well. I grew some dwarf project tomatoes in both five gallon bags and in ground last year, and didn't see much difference in plant size or production. Three gallon bags are perfect for small, super hot peppers. I've grown both habaneros and Scotch Bonnets in three gallon grow bags and ended up with healthy plants, loaded with more peppers than I knew what to do with!