How Small a Container??

tryno12 · April 23, 2017

Just how small a container will grow a Dwarf / Tree Tomato? Was planning a 5 gallon bucket w/potting soil/potting mix with holes drilled in the side about 3" up from the bottom w/rocks in the bottom? Will this work w/ Tomato - Tone and One(1)Dwarf per container?

Father'sDaughter · April 23, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryno12

Just how small a container will grow a Dwarf / Tree Tomato? Was planning a 5 gallon bucket w/potting soil/potting mix with holes drilled in the side about 3" up from the bottom w/rocks in the bottom? Will this work w/ Tomato - Tone and One(1)Dwarf per container?

All of my dwarfs are grown in five gallon plastic grow bags and they do just fine. I've never grown in buckets, but hopefully someone who has can comment on your plan for using rocks and drilling the holes so high up. I know it's not good for the roots to be "standing" in water.

rhines81 · April 23, 2017

I seen people put up to 3 dwarf plants per 5 gallon bucket. They'll consume a lot of water so you will want a reservoir like you suggest (should be just fine), but you may want to consider a double bucket, bottom watering system (look on youtube for more ideas on that).

Gardeneer · April 23, 2017

Yes. Actually you can grow any variety in 5 gallons of soil but you have to work harder.
What a plant needs are moisture and nutrient. Of course it needs a mnimum space for the root mass. Given that nutients and moisture are adequately provided, smaller root mass will translate to smaller plant. that is the principle in growing Bonsai.

edweather · April 23, 2017

@tryno12, Yes you can use a 5 gallon bucket. I've grown almost exclusively in containers the past several years. I might suggest getting some feedback from others who have grown in containers on this forum or on the Container Growing forum on another site. A lot of people use a fast draining mix similar to the 5-1-1 mix, which is 5 parts pine fines, one part perlite, and one part peat. A tablespoon of lime is added for each gallon of mix to buffer the pH, and add calcium. Potting soils and potting mixes from the store can work, but tend to be too water retentive. Rocks in the bottom will just raise the perched water level, which you do not want. It's best to have the whole bucket filled with potting mix, with holes in the bottom. Water when needed, and feed regularly with a weak fertilizer. There are also "self watering" containers that you can make and there's plenty of info on them.

tryno12 · April 23, 2017

Thanks, a lot to learn here - don't want to screw up any of my plants!

April 23, 2017	#1
tryno12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indianapolis Area 46112 Posts: 854	How Small a Container?? Just how small a container will grow a Dwarf / Tree Tomato? Was planning a 5 gallon bucket w/potting soil/potting mix with holes drilled in the side about 3" up from the bottom w/rocks in the bottom? Will this work w/ Tomato - Tone and One(1)Dwarf per container?

April 23, 2017	#4
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,909	Yes. Actually you can grow any variety in 5 gallons of soil but you have to work harder. What a plant needs are moisture and nutrient. Of course it needs a mnimum space for the root mass. Given that nutients and moisture are adequately provided, smaller root mass will translate to smaller plant. that is the principle in growing Bonsai. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

April 23, 2017	#5
edweather Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28 Posts: 393	@tryno12, Yes you can use a 5 gallon bucket. I've grown almost exclusively in containers the past several years. I might suggest getting some feedback from others who have grown in containers on this forum or on the Container Growing forum on another site. A lot of people use a fast draining mix similar to the 5-1-1 mix, which is 5 parts pine fines, one part perlite, and one part peat. A tablespoon of lime is added for each gallon of mix to buffer the pH, and add calcium. Potting soils and potting mixes from the store can work, but tend to be too water retentive. Rocks in the bottom will just raise the perched water level, which you do not want. It's best to have the whole bucket filled with potting mix, with holes in the bottom. Water when needed, and feed regularly with a weak fertilizer. There are also "self watering" containers that you can make and there's plenty of info on them. __________________ You'll be surprised what you'll never have to do, if you put it off long enough.

April 23, 2017	#3
rhines81 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Zone 5A, Poconos Posts: 959	I seen people put up to 3 dwarf plants per 5 gallon bucket. They'll consume a lot of water so you will want a reservoir like you suggest (should be just fine), but you may want to consider a double bucket, bottom watering system (look on youtube for more ideas on that).