Allotments 4 All

Hi All,

Am currently trying to decide on how best to grow my tomatoes and chills?

Do i go down the grow bag route like last year with mixed results or do i go with 10ltr polypots which are sitting in a tray?

Advice appreciated.

Cam

No expert am I but grow bags seem so small.  20 l of compost per tomato plant at a minimum so that would be 3 plants in a standard 60 l bag of compost.  And it wouldn't take up that much more room if you are growing against a garden wall.  Chillis need less and they could go in the 10 l pots.

But I have seen tomatoes grown by ring culture in bottomless 10 l plant pots and a grow bag base and the plants looked good.

Dont be cruel to tomatoes  :D

When I first discovered this site I saw Tim's huge greenhouse with all the growbags cut in half and stood on end. It was a lightbulb moment for me and I always do my toms that way now.

When we are using growbags we "saddlebag" them,that is we cut them in half across the front of the middle and then stand them up together -think pair of wellies.Thus only 2 plants per bag, they stand well and we've had good results.
ooh just read prev post ...is there a parrrot in here ? ;D

 ;D

Lol, works tho, dunnit?!

I have always used grow bags for tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse but the last two years my tomatoes have been poor. This year I am using B & Q builders buckets filled with multipurpose compost
(black ones). I was finding it very difficult to keep the grow bags hydrated. Once they become dry it's very hard to get the moisture back into them.
I shall wait and see if this Year my tomaotoes improve. I hope so as I am trying to grow some for the A4A tomato challenge!

Another brilliant suggestion. This has saved me from digging out the earth, cutting up the compost bags to line 2 feet down, refilling with new earth and planting.

I like the idea of saddlebag growbags, but with my really hot, oak tree root thirsty greenhouse I think I might sink them into the ground, at least half way.

All the best ideas are on here, thank you!

Ninny

I think this has been said but I find this works well:

Tomato plant in 12" (or bigger) pots gradually filled with new compost - 3 pots stood on a grow-bag and that in a long shallow tray.

The roots soon go down in search of moisture - later I feed into the pot and water (mainly) into the tray.

I guess it's a modified version of ring culture especially as the 12" pots are only gradually filled (almost) to the top with compost encouraging secondary feeder roots to develop up the plant stem.

This has worked without fail for the last three years or more.

I've put 12 plants in a 4x8 raised bed 'put a load of home made compost in and chicken pellets ,soaked well and the covered with the blackweed suppressor let it warm up and planted the toms ,make a Polly tunnel with hoops (eletrians white plastic ) put some polythene over it B&Q ,used clamps and staples to keep secure so far all is fine the toms have been out 4 weeks now and growing like the clapper. ;D

this year trying grow bags (Jamies), with some self watering plastic pot things.

everything seems moist enough (so far so good) but funny to see the water staying in some of the reservoirs and draining in a fury from others  !

If the nozzle end isn't blocked, that can be caused by compacted compost... if one bag had a good shake before planting the water will get itno the air pockets... if not it will have to seep through the compost.  :-X

I usually use a grow bag for my tomatoes, really quite handy

Quote from: Richardton on May 24, 2012, 14:53:00
I usually use a grow bag for my tomatoes, really quite handy

I think the original question was whether to do this or use large pots as the results can vary according to the size and contants of the grow bag and what is being grown in it.  ;)

Grow bags are handy but some people prefer other arrangements - what ever works best for you I guess.  :)

You see this is why i ask these questions as i am sure you get a range of responses that are sensible and well though out :) You guys rock!!

which shop bought soil are people using this year is it good??