18 gallon, 1 or 2 plants
 

I did 2 per container last year, and I am wondering how well having just one plant in one of these containers would do?

One should do better. But how did you like the production of two? I think they are using the 31 gallon containers for two plants, 18 gallons for one plant.

Don

I measured a real EB at 13 gallons (total), 3 gallons of which is the reservoir, and 10 gallons is for potting mix. Since the EB accomodates 2 plants, that comes out to 5 gallons of mix per plant. So, assuming your container is configured as an HEB, you can easily have 2 plants per container using an 18 gallon container. It might even be possible to grow 3 plants, especially smaller varieties, although staking would be a challenge. I'm curious if someone could report their results of trying 3 plants in 18 or 20 gallon containers.

My pots run from 17-27 gallons each and I only plant 1 tomato per pot. I once tried 2 Anna Russian in a 20+ gallon pot because I read they were wispy plants. I misinterpreted wispy to mean small. I got tomatoes on both plants but they were much smaller than I expected.

Jim

1 or 2
 

We shall see what happens :D

All 3 plants were around the same size and are JD's special Ctex. The single boxed plant was planted a little higher up, but it was about the same height before I transferred it.

2 plants per 18 container do very well for me.

I know that Mantis down under puts 2 plants in his HEB's and he says they do very well. I have also done two and one and haven't really noticed much difference. The only thing is don't plant determinate or dwarf plants with indeterminates. The larger plant will steal all the sun.

I can also tell you that getting the same average size fruits as listed on the seed packages will vary from garden to garden. Eva Purple Ball in HEB with another plant and one in the garden were about equal in production and fruit size.

Some of my undersized for variety fruits may be due to my own ignorance of raising tomatoes as well. I have also had plants in 5 gallon buckets produce larger or more fruit than ones in ground or HEB.

Here's a photo from last year...two plants per pot...no problems, great production


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