which size pots for tomato's

[staris]

i'm undecided on which of these pots will be best suited for growing tomato's and chilli's in the poll tunnel.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/30-X-10-LITRE-PLASTIC-PLANT-POTS-BUCKETS-NO-HOLES_W0QQitemZ140221920927QQihZ004QQcategoryZ20515QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/30-X-5-LITRE-PLASTIC-PLANT-POTS-BUCKETS-NO-HOLES_W0QQitemZ130212127853QQihZ003QQcategoryZ20515QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[staris]

[Squash63]

For tomatoes I use the 10 litre size, with the bottom cut off.  But I was lucky enough to get them free from someone at the allotments.  He said that florists will often give them away, or charge just a few pence for them.
I grow small chillies in smaller pots but this size would be fine for the large ones.

[PurpleHeather]

I have used the buckets florists have and drilled holes in the bottom.

[saddad]

Florist's buckets, no bottoms sunk into the border or a grow bag here...
;D

[PurpleHeather]

Florist's buckets, no bottoms sunk into the border or a grow bag here...
;D

Known as 'Dear Lizas'

From the song.
There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, etc

[saddad]

" Then mend it dear Henry...."  :-*

[teresa]

Florist's buckets with holes works for me, you can by them at Morrisons supemarkets as well.

[Tee Gee]

Once you get your buckets treat them like this ( from pic 5 onwards)

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Tomato/Tomato%20culture/tomato%20culture.html

[*pixie*]

Once you get your buckets treat them like this ( from pic 5 onwards)

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Tomato/Tomato%20culture/tomato%20culture.html

Very useful thank you.
Is this better than using a standard grow bag? I have read other posts about the 2 types of roots.
Also pic 7 onwards there is small plastic pots in the larger ones, what are they for?
Thanks

[Tee Gee]

Also pic 7 onwards there is small plastic pots in the larger ones, what are they for?

Watering!!

Once the large pots/rings/buckets get root bound it is difficult to water the whole root system, this pot takes the water down 4"-6" at least.

Plus it keeps the base of the plant dry to prevent neck rot.

Plus you do not wash the soil/compost off the surface feeder roots. If this happens the feeding potential drops!

[staris]

thx all 10ltr pots it is  ;D

[caroline7758]

I used black buckets last year but didn't cut the bottoms out. What do you all use for cutting them?

[greenstar]

A big sharp knife!

The ones I have had a sort of a circle within a circle on the bottom, so I cut out the inner circle and this seemed to help retain the stability of the cheapo black buckets, but also let the main water seeking roots through.  Had massive plants last year and gazillions of tomatoes.