Rainbow said:Hi All!
I would like to grow cherry tomatoes in a 10-15 gal. container and would appreciate tips.
What media mix?
I just use "potting mix" from wherever it's on sale. Sometimes Miracle Gro or Vigoro Organic, sometimes off brands.
Rainbow said:Kind of fertilizer to incorporate into media?
If the mix lists NPK numbers, I generally don't add anything when transplanting. If the mix has no fertilizer or nutrients listed, I apply some balanced fertilizer or "tomato and vegetable" type fertilizer. You could also put some compost in with the mix if it lacks nutrients.
Rainbow said:Should I plant seeds direct or transplant seedlings?
I transplant plants that are garden ready (about 6 weeks old, grown in big "solo cups" or in nursery containers), and I bury about 2/3rds of the plant in the container, leaving just the top shoots exposed. I find I get stronger plants because roots develop along the buried stem(s).
Rainbow said:How many plants per container?
I use 16" diameter plastic planter pots, and I plant one tomato plant per pot, but I often plant a companion basil or cilantro plant opposite the tomato, and sometimes chives or oregano along the edge of the pot between (two chives or oregano starts).
Rainbow said:Growing care?
My container tomatoes are in some hanging tomato planters that I make. I also make these to sell at local farmers markets and crafts markets. Here's a picture of one of the shorter ones I make.
That one is about 54 inches high. It's made to fit in the space above the porch railing where the railing is 3 feet and the header beam at the top is 8 feet from the deck/floor.
I also make them about 66 inches high (5' 6"), and about 78 inches high (6' 6"). Those have a metal ring at the top that is identical to the ring the pot is sitting in, and more cylindrical nets.
Oh, and almost any 'determinate variety will work well in a large (7.5 gallon or larger) planter pot. I grow "gold nugget" cherry tomatoes, romas in my hanging pots every year. I've also grown Rutgers tomatoes in the past. I've also tried some larger varieties that were determinate types.
PS. If anyone wants the hanging planter in the picture, It's available, along with another one that is pink. I guess I should take more pics and list those in the classifieds here.
