Grow Bag sizes

djohn2002uk

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

There is 1 main issue here;
Growbags are not suitable for vine/tomato cultivation;)

Millions of people have been growing thier tomatoes in growbags for many, many years and successfuly too.

salthepal wrote: »

Having said that, this year I am going to try some in pots. What size should the pots be? Thanks

Morrisons flower buckets which were about 10 for a pound last year. they are what they get thier flowers in every day and were bundled up in 10s and sold. I also got some from Llidl. Free

jap200

Can I just ask if there is anything wrong with planting tomatoes directly into the ground in a greenhouse border? Is it really necessary to use pots or growbags?

I have a new greenhouse so will be growing tomatoes in there for the first time (I have previously only grown outdoor ones directly in the ground).

I was planning on digging in lots of garden compost etc. and then just setting out the plants in the greenhouse border. However, all this talk of growbags and pots is making me wonder.

sobie

jap200 wrote: »

Can I just ask if there is anything wrong with planting tomatoes directly into the ground in a greenhouse border? Is it really necessary to use pots or growbags?

I have a new greenhouse so will be growing tomatoes in there for the first time (I have previously only grown outdoor ones directly in the ground).

I was planning on digging in lots of garden compost etc. and then just setting out the plants in the greenhouse border. However, all this talk of growbags and pots is making me wonder.

Its much easier to feed tomato plants with a liquid feed if grown in pots, hanging baskets or growbags.

That said, many people grow directly into their greenhouse borders, simply replenishing the soil every year as you have suggested.

Either way is fine.

jap200

sobie wrote: »

Its much easier to feed tomato plants with a liquid feed if grown in pots, hanging baskets or growbags.

How is it easier?

aliasojo

jap200 wrote: »

How is it easier?

Perhaps it's to do with dilution and amounts?

I would suspect feeding tomatoes in grow bags or pots ensures that the feed will reach the plant roots as it's contained in a smallish area, whereas feeding in the ground might mean the goodness just disperses through the earth?

No idea, that was my best guess.

cyclonebri1

salthepal wrote: »

"Growbags are not suitable for vine/tomato cultivation"



Really? I have very successfully grown several different tomato varieties 3 to a large grow bag for many years.

Having said that, this year I am going to try some in pots. What size should the pots be?

Thanks

11" is the most economical size, big enough if on gravel tray and fits on a standard tray nicely, about 90p from our nursery.

It's a give fact that growbags are a compromise for growing tomatoes, don't take my word for it ask any horticultural expert.

Yes of course they grow in bags, but they do better in pots, the bags are too shallow as vines put down deep tap roots in search of water.

Grown in pots over a gravel tray the water goes into the tray, and they are fed into the pot.

Having the tray in place is a real safety measure for that day when you leave the greenhouse or conservatory door shut, ie, they hold a reserve of water.

But don't take my word for it, do a side by side comparison, and you might find that growing toms successfully in bags becomes spectacular in pots.

PS, I had a friend who stood his flat growbags on edge so that they had a deeper root run. I don't know if that gave better result or otherwise

djohn2002uk

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

But don't take my word for it, do a side by side comparison, and you might find that growing toms successfully in bags becomes spectacular in pots.

I don't have to take your word for it because last year I changed from growbags to the flower buckets I mentioned above and grew them in the same way as I had for at least 30 yrs, i.e. feeding and watering and I noticed no real difference except for 2 things.
1. I succeded in growing a couple of plants up the eaves to the apex of the greenhouse still producing normal sized tomatoes.
2. It was cheaper insomuch as I mixed the compost for the pots (which were free from Llidl) with 50% home made and 50% Godwins multi purpose compost at 3x70lts for £11. 1/2 bag costing approx £1.80 as opposed to 2x growbags for 6 plants. I grew 10 plants last year and I think I used just over 1 whole bag @ £3.66.
So slightly better but certainly not "spectacularly" so.

cyclonebri1

djohn2002uk wrote: »

I don't have to take your word for it because last year I changed from growbags to the flower buckets I mentioned above and grew them in the same way as I had for at least 30 yrs, i.e. feeding and watering and I noticed no real difference except for 2 things.
1. I succeded in growing a couple of plants up the eaves to the apex of the greenhouse still producing normal sized tomatoes.
2. It was cheaper insomuch as I mixed the compost for the pots (which were free from Llidl) with 50% home made and 50% Godwins multi purpose compost at 3x70lts for £11. 1/2 bag costing approx £1.80 as opposed to 2x growbags for 6 plants. I grew 10 plants last year and I think I used just over 1 whole bag @ £3.66.
So slightly better but certainly not "spectacularly" so.

:T

So there you are then, you can better grow bags.

You have hit the nail on the head to be honest, properly done pots/tray will grow tomatoes a truss higher with no loss of quality.

I get free pots too, her indoors works for barbyQ so....


You also get enough compost from a growbag for 4 plants in pots not 3 in the bag, instant saving.

sobie

aliasojo wrote: »

Perhaps it's to do with dilution and amounts?

I would suspect feeding tomatoes in grow bags or pots ensures that the feed will reach the plant roots as it's contained in a smallish area, whereas feeding in the ground might mean the goodness just disperses through the earth?

No idea, that was my best guess.

:T thats exactly right.

cyclonebri1

aliasojo wrote: »

Perhaps it's to do with dilution and amounts?

I would suspect feeding tomatoes in grow bags or pots ensures that the feed will reach the plant roots as it's contained in a smallish area, whereas feeding in the ground might mean the goodness just disperses through the earth?

No idea, that was my best guess.

Yes and you also have isolation from soil borne disease provided you use reputable sterilized compost, and renew every year.