3 Gallon challenge 2018 !
 

At risk of repeating this topic :

If you only had 3 gallon containers to plant in (good mixed growing medium )..

AND

only 5 Tomato Varieties to choose to be the best adapted and productive for the 3 gallon size. . (not 1-2 gallon mini's and not 5 gallon and up ).

What 5 would you choose ?

:D

[QUOTE=BlackBear;683272]At risk of repeating this topic :

If you only had 3 gallon containers to plant in (good mixed growing medium )..

AND

only 5 Tomato Varieties to choose to be the best adapted and productive for the 3 gallon size. . (not 1-2 gallon mini's and not 5 gallon and up ).

What 5 would you choose ?

:D[/QUOTE]

True Story:

3 gallon pots and only 5 varieties to choose from?? All of my tomatoes would resemble mild pepper plants:

Anaheim
Fresno
Guajillo
Jalapeno
Poblano

:))
I am trying several other varieties this year so the list may change for 2019 !! For tomatoes, I am not really into the designer hybrids. Indeterminates or bust !!

3 gallons is an odd size. I would guess that your best results would be to run near-constant fertigation, basically run-to-waste hydroponics. I'd still grow dwarf and compact varieties.

Cole
Mano (dwarf)
Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate
Dwarf Sweet Sue
Then either an orange or a gwr dwarf: Coastal Pride Orange and Dwarf Jade Beauty

Sophies Choice
Azoychka
Black Cherry
A red grape (still trying new ones)
Your choice of a Dwarf (I have only grown a few)

[QUOTE=rhines81;683300]True Story:

3 gallon pots and only 5 varieties to choose from?? All of my tomatoes would resemble mild pepper plants:

Anaheim
Fresno
Guajillo
Jalapeno
Poblano

:))
I am trying several other varieties this year so the list may change for 2019 !! For tomatoes, I am not really into the designer hybrids. Indeterminates or bust !![/QUOTE]

My 5 Peppers choice (3 gallon ) that over winter multi years ...move to shop in winter out in spring .

Super chili
Black Hungarian
Jimmy Nardello
Sibirskiy Knaz
Grandpa's Siberian House Pepper
and bonus .....

Slonovo Uno :cute:

[QUOTE=Cole_Robbie;683302]3 gallons is an odd size. I would guess that your best results would be to run near-constant fertigation, basically run-to-waste hydroponics. I'd still grow dwarf and compact varieties.

Cole
Mano (dwarf)
Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate
Dwarf Sweet Sue
Then either an orange or a gwr dwarf: Coastal Pride Orange and Dwarf Jade Beauty[/QUOTE]

Yes siree ! 3 gallon is an odd size...I agree ...but potentially useful in some situations

that more folks are finding useful.

Have you really tried Tasmanian chocolate and sweet sue in a 3 gallon ?..or you would try them in this theoretical scenario ...?

I agree certainly with Mano ....I think it would be on my 3 gallon list or close.:yes:

[QUOTE=SueCT;683317]Sophies Choice
Azoychka
Black Cherry
A red grape (still trying new ones)
Your choice of a Dwarf (I have only grown a few)[/QUOTE]


I think I would try Sophie's as well


I tried and got a good crop in 3 gallon(with work) with Black cherry ...but they like a bigger space .

Have you tried Azoychka in a 3 gallon before ?

Never considered that ...8-) hmmmmm

I have tried Tasmanian Chocolate in a cat litter bucket that was about 4 gallons, and it did ok. Frequent watering is the challenge.

Ok My 5 picks 3 gallon I had before
 

1)Yaponskiy Karlik
2) Budai Torpe
3)sophie's Choice
4)Fuzzy Wuzzy
5) Gold Nugget


2nd 5 alternate pick also :

Cyril's choice
yellow pygmy
Silvery fir ..
Mano
Rosa Vetrov

3rd 5 start :

Kootenai
Lyana

[QUOTE=Cole_Robbie;683325]I have tried Tasmanian Chocolate in a cat litter bucket that was about 4 gallons, and it did ok. Frequent watering is the challenge.[/QUOTE]

That sounds good to me .......I think what I really mean by this "odd size "

is sub 5 gallon say 3 or 4 gallon ...but not the 1 or 2 gallon limitations and minis .

Some Varieties that display real flexibility and adaptability and production

at the odd size (still small...but not as small as 1 or 2 gallon varieties).

Keepsake is the only small non-micro plant I've ever grown and it performed poorly. So all I know is my five would be ones I've never grown before.

I'd probably ask Black Bear for suggestions.

Nan

What do you mean by revisit?
 

Sorry, I'm new here, but intrigued. You've posted this challenge before? I'm new and tried to use search function to look it up but can't find it...too many results :)

I renewed the 2015 small discussion so easy to find
 

[QUOTE=PotGarden;683336]Sorry, I'm new here, but intrigued. You've posted this challenge before? I'm new and tried to use search function to look it up but can't find it...too many results :)[/QUOTE]

hmmmm I think there was a 3 gallon discussion in 2015...sorry about the weak reference connection .

also I have posted 2 gallon and small containers just to discussions . before that ...I will dig back.


also some other 3 gallon good ones I forgot ...
Krainiy Sever, Ditmarsher, Bonté Tigret, Chibikko, Czech's Bush, Sandpoint (just trying this one this year).

Thanks
 

Thanks!

I would do compact-ish determinates. My mom had great production with Maskotka (really good tasting too). Something like Praleska should also work.
From indeterminates, Indian Stripe has done ok in about 2 gal. It is adaptable.

I find it interesting that everyone keeps choosing completely different selections for their five. Is there a rule that once someone mentions a tomato, no one else can choose it?

Although my choices are more run of the mill, they would work.

Polbig
Blood Butcher
Bush Steak
Big Beef (single stem)
Prudens Purple (single stem)

Last year I did Prudens and Big Beef, 2 to a 5 gallon bag, single stem. Automatic irrigation several times a day.

Blush
Maglia Rosa
Not Early Annie

Linda

[QUOTE=Soilsniffer;683386]I find it interesting that everyone keeps choosing completely different selections for their five. Is there a rule that once someone mentions a tomato, no one else can choose it?[/QUOTE]

There is no rule ...just interesting anecdotal choices to muse over ...from fellow gardeners...

It is interesting such a diversity of choices to consider ...or reconsider ..

if one has not even heard of the variety ..in this " 3 gallon " application .

If the same selections keep being brought up that is something to consider as well.

:)

This is a really great thread for people who want to learn more about varieties that do best in smaller pots, switching to containers or inexperienced! Three gallon buckets are inexpensive and easy to find. :)

[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Garamond]What kind of gallon are we talking about?

Trade Gallon? Imperial Gallon? U.S. Gallon?[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]

It's really a flower pot size, although I always try to imagine something that would hold 3 US gallon milk jugs worth of water. Hope that helps.

Linda

[QUOTE=Koala Doug;683475][B][SIZE=3][FONT=Garamond]What kind of gallon are we talking about?

Trade Gallon? Imperial Gallon? U.S. Gallon?[/FONT][/SIZE][/B][/QUOTE]




All of the above ...as you wish .......

a No. 3 Trade Pot ......or 3-4 USA gallon :)) ....or if you want the biggest an

Imperial 3 gallon ...LOL :))

Just a size between the 2 gallon Micro/mini and under the standard fair 5 gallon size .

8-)

What about Taxi? Does anyone know if it would grow in a small container?

Actually, it looks like it will!

[URL]http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Taxi[/URL]

Sibirskiy Skorospelyi should work as well...

Taos Trail!

[URL]http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Taos_Trail[/URL]

Al

I grow 2 plants in 4-5 gallon, and any variety I choose with no issues, and they are grown commercially for production too. The key is irrigation on a timer. I am quite sure one can grow anything in a 3 gallon without it affecting yield. I actually grew some Brandywine in 4 inch containers, got a couple nice tomatoes off of each plant also. Very good taste.

Pic
 

These are two plants in a 4 gallon container, Black Krim X PL Early Girl. Each plant we can assume gets 2 gallon worth of space.

[QUOTE=BlackBear;683320]My 5 Peppers choice (3 gallon ) that over winter multi years ...move to shop in winter out in spring .

Super chili
Black Hungarian
Jimmy Nardello
Sibirskiy Knaz
Grandpa's Siberian House Pepper
and bonus .....

Slonovo Uno :cute:[/QUOTE]

Slonovo Uvo translates as an Elephant's Ear. I grew it last year in 3 gal. container as well. Great variety. Enjoy.

[QUOTE=Al@NC;685093]What about Taxi? Does anyone know if it would grow in a small container?

Actually, it looks like it will!

[URL]http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Taxi[/URL]

Sibirskiy Skorospelyi should work as well...

Taos Trail!

[URL]http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Taos_Trail[/URL]

Al[/QUOTE]

I would recommend Sweet Sue instead of the Taxi. Much much better taste. SS is a Dwarf that usually grow to 4 feet. I share my tomatoes with friends, family members, neighbors... well I do not share SS. :P

[QUOTE=efisakov;685154]I would recommend Sweet Sue instead of the Taxi. Much much better taste. SS is a Dwarf that usually grow to 4 feet. I share my tomatoes with friends, family members, neighbors... well I do not share SS. :P[/QUOTE]
Hahaha, that's funny and thanks for the recommendation! :twisted:

Al

:surprised:How often do you water and fertilize in small containers like that, assuming a good mix with lots of compost to start?

There seems to be a lot of controversy over container size requirements! :surprised: