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General discussion regarding the techniques and methods used to successfully grow tomato plants in containers.

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Old March 13, 2018   #61
SQWIBB
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This years mix,

  • Existing potting mix
  • clay soil
  • Bio-char (charged)
  • Rabbit Manure/Bedding
  • City Compost (not the crap stuff)
  • My Compost
  • 10-10-10
  • Lime
  • Epson Salt
Bottom of pots lined with wood, wood has been soaking in fertilizer for a few months.

Existing Potting mix has, peat moss, potting mix and some other things I'm sure



I know it sounds Odd but I'm going to give it a shot anyhow.
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Old March 13, 2018   #62
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One thing to note when using mycorrhizae is that you do not want an abundance or phosphorus in your soil, it limits the symbiosis between the fungus and the roots of the plant. You want your seed starting material to be relatively nutrient free to establish that colonization then you can move on to a more fertile final mix.
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Old March 14, 2018   #63
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I found Pro Mix for the right price today. It was at Walmart clearly marked $17.97. I got two of them. The pallet was way out in the parking lot, and I was having a difficult time walking to it. I got to the checkout and they rang up at $9 each. After tax $19.49 If I had known they were that cheap - I would have bought a couple extras, and still might if I can walk better tomorrow.

The bags could be from 2017? They look new - no faded brittle bags. It could also be that they are phasing them out like they are doing with so many things in that store. The most recent commercial on TV is that they are adding new brand names...which means getting rid of others.
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Old March 14, 2018   #64
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Yea, Walmart was clearing out their Soil Conditioner here at $1.00 a bag.
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Old March 15, 2018   #65
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We went back to get a couple more bags of Pro Mix today. They were sold out and the product wasn't in their book they have at the checkout counter. I bought a bag of perlite instead. I remember the first time my wife and I noticed perlite in transplants mix - we thought it was Styrofoam.
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Old March 20, 2018   #66
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We just purchased the 2.5 lb. MasterBlend/PowerGrow kit. It will get here next week. It is $22.99 with free shipping at Amazon. We would have bought the bigger size, but I want to see results first. Container growing in soilless Pro Mix is a complete new thing for us.
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Old March 22, 2018   #67
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Growing in soilless container mix is the way to go imo. Have been doing it for about 10 years now, and the plants grow extremely fast. I use the 5-1-1 mix. As far as fertilizer goes, generally use MG liquid, and supplement it with a little epsom salts for the calcium and magnesium. About $6 per quart here. This year treated myself to a gallon of Texas Tomato Food.
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Old March 23, 2018   #68
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We got the MasterBlend/PowerGrow kit in the mail today (Friday). That was quick - 3 days.
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Old March 24, 2018   #69
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Here's my formula for my Walmart grow bags, the bags will hold up to 7gal's of mix, 7 gal does a great job when growing indeterminate tomato varieties. I use Majestic potting mix... Not potting soil! Up here in Wisc. its one of the cheapest and IMO one of the best, fill the Walmart bag 2/3 full of potting mix then pack it down a bit now add 1 cup garden lime not barn lime! Now 1/4 cup of bone meal, 2TBS of Epsom salt, 2tbs calcium nitrate now mix everything well. Now add water totally soaking the potting mix till the water begins to get the Walmart bag wet. next step top the bag off almost to the top leave leave about 3" from the top after you pack it down with more dry potting mix. Now add 1-1/2 cup ring of 10 - 10- 10 fertilizer around the edge of the bag now add just enough potting mix to cover the fertilizer... Add your plant and your done!

I put the grow bag in a 20" 2-1/2" deep saucer that I fill with water, I never water from the top I just add water as needed to the saucer never let the saucer go dry.

Some folks put the grow bags in kiddie pools the choice is yours kiddie pools are cheaper but they look like crap on your patio or backyard... Here's a pic of my set up from last year
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Garden 2017 fully planted 011.JPG (291.1 KB, 97 views)
File Type: jpg Garden 2017 fully planted 015.JPG (293.1 KB, 98 views)

Last edited by Jetstar; March 25, 2018 at 08:14 AM. Reason: Spelling
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