Container Tomatoes
#1
05-13-20, 05:12 PM
Container Tomatoes
My first attempt. Built a wooden box from scrap redwood approx 2x4x1.5 ft. I put in
a 60 bale of Promix potting soil and it only filled it 2/3 full. Can I mix in some yard dirt
to get about 14" of depth for roots? Our yard soil here is sandy and loose. Planning
on growing two Big Boys in this.
a 60 bale of Promix potting soil and it only filled it 2/3 full. Can I mix in some yard dirt
to get about 14" of depth for roots? Our yard soil here is sandy and loose. Planning
on growing two Big Boys in this.
#2
05-13-20, 08:58 PM
Member
Apparently ProMix is a peat based mix, so no need to add peat moss to hold in moisture. Toms are very fussy about constant moisture and not drying out. You have 12 cubic foot box. Does it have a bottom or do you need to put in wire to keep gophers away ? I would say use your sandy/loose soil to amend your mix. You might read up on blossom end rot......I never was sure how this came about: Irregular watering or a calcium deficiency. One year I added a handful of powered milk into the tomato hole and another year, sprayed with liquid calcium. Seems to work. Do you plan to plant extra deep or sideways ?
#3
05-14-20, 06:37 AM
Thanks Yadda
Yes Promix is peat based and looks like a lot of vermiculite also. This planter is on a 2nd story
deck due to lack of sun in plantable locations in the yard. Didn't understand planting extra deep or
sideways. It's been 40 years since I successfully grew all sorts of veggies her in Colorado. This
experiment is sort of a lark.
deck due to lack of sun in plantable locations in the yard. Didn't understand planting extra deep or
sideways. It's been 40 years since I successfully grew all sorts of veggies her in Colorado. This
experiment is sort of a lark.
#4
05-14-20, 07:34 AM
Group Moderator
Yes, you can mix in dirt if you want. You'll have enough organic matter to hold moisture.
Tomatoes are often re-potted much deeper then previously, sometimes picking off the stems and burying half the plant. This causes the plant to send out new roots from the stem that used to be above ground. This helps create more roots to support more top growth, gets the roots deeper for better water and nutrient absorption and anchors the plant better to support the load of all that fruit.
To help prevent blossom end rot you can blend in some calcium sulfate (gypsum) to provide calcium. Consistent watering also helps. I also like to blend in some magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) to provide magnesium. This is especially helpful if you fertilize at it helps the plant use nitrogen. If you forget to mix in either they are easy to dissolve in water and then you can spray the leaves every week or two.
Tomatoes are often re-potted much deeper then previously, sometimes picking off the stems and burying half the plant. This causes the plant to send out new roots from the stem that used to be above ground. This helps create more roots to support more top growth, gets the roots deeper for better water and nutrient absorption and anchors the plant better to support the load of all that fruit.
To help prevent blossom end rot you can blend in some calcium sulfate (gypsum) to provide calcium. Consistent watering also helps. I also like to blend in some magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) to provide magnesium. This is especially helpful if you fertilize at it helps the plant use nitrogen. If you forget to mix in either they are easy to dissolve in water and then you can spray the leaves every week or two.
#5
05-14-20, 04:59 PM
Appreciate the advice. Lots has changed since I did this so many years ago. I used to rototill in cow manure at the beginning of the season and watch everything grow like gangbusters. First try at containers.
