How many dwarfs in a 25 gallon tub?

creister · September 16, 2014

I was thinking of putting three per 25 gallon tub. What do you all think?

**Lee** · September 16, 2014

Three might be a bit too crowded, even for the dwarfs.

I'd stick with 2.

BTW, the main reason they work in 5/7 gallon grow bags is more due to top spacing rather than amount of soil.

Lee

ContainerTed · September 16, 2014

Lee is correct. it really depends on depth of the growing medium and top space which is really talking to crowding. I use a lot of 18 gallon containers. I will put 3 dwarf plants in most of the time. But I only do that when I'm looking to simply grow another generation during development of a new variety and am looking to get seed from the subsequent generation.

I think you should put emphasis on the crowding issue. Watering is always a problem which is seated in how much foliage there is. The more foliage, the more watering becomes an issue. When I have up to three plants, even if they are the same variety, I may find myself having to water more than once a day.

Hope I've given some considerations to ponder and help you develop an approach to your problem.

AKmark · September 17, 2014

I believe you would have plenty of root space for three, however, crowding up top would be your problem. I put two New Big Dwarfs in a 10 gallon, they grew just fine, actually... they grew into a giant shrub that was too crowded. I have found, if you give healthy well fed plants space, they will take it up.
I don't think I would do more than two, unless they are miniature tiny types, NBD is not.

On a side note, I will never put more than one indeterminate in a pot again, I don't care how big the pot is. I put two in several containers this year, what a pruning cluster that was. One plant, 2-3 branches for beefsteaks, 3-4 branches for standard tomatoes. Feed them right, in a good environment, and trust me you will be chopping off all kinds of branches, unless you don't prune.

creister · September 17, 2014

It sounds like two to a container will be the way I go. Thanks for your responses.

September 16, 2014	#1
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	How many dwarfs in a 25 gallon tub? I was thinking of putting three per 25 gallon tub. What do you all think?

September 16, 2014	#2
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Three might be a bit too crowded, even for the dwarfs. I'd stick with 2. BTW, the main reason they work in 5/7 gallon grow bags is more due to top spacing rather than amount of soil. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

September 16, 2014	#3
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Lee is correct. it really depends on depth of the growing medium and top space which is really talking to crowding. I use a lot of 18 gallon containers. I will put 3 dwarf plants in most of the time. But I only do that when I'm looking to simply grow another generation during development of a new variety and am looking to get seed from the subsequent generation. I think you should put emphasis on the crowding issue. Watering is always a problem which is seated in how much foliage there is. The more foliage, the more watering becomes an issue. When I have up to three plants, even if they are the same variety, I may find myself having to water more than once a day. Hope I've given some considerations to ponder and help you develop an approach to your problem. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

September 17, 2014	#4
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	I believe you would have plenty of root space for three, however, crowding up top would be your problem. I put two New Big Dwarfs in a 10 gallon, they grew just fine, actually... they grew into a giant shrub that was too crowded. I have found, if you give healthy well fed plants space, they will take it up. I don't think I would do more than two, unless they are miniature tiny types, NBD is not. On a side note, I will never put more than one indeterminate in a pot again, I don't care how big the pot is. I put two in several containers this year, what a pruning cluster that was. One plant, 2-3 branches for beefsteaks, 3-4 branches for standard tomatoes. Feed them right, in a good environment, and trust me you will be chopping off all kinds of branches, unless you don't prune.