How many Cherry tomatoes in SWC

Zenbaas · October 23, 2015

So my question is this for the more experienced growers on the forum: How many Cherry tomatoes could you plant in a 26 gal SWC...?

Would two be the max or could one push it to 3 plants...?

ContainerTed · October 23, 2015

If I went to 2 or even 3 plants, they would all be the same variety. Water consumption is the primary consideration followed closely by nutrients. The 2 and 3 scenarios will tax your ability to keep the available moisture consistent. Inconsistent anything equals stress for the plants and that could increase the incidence of BER and other undesirables.

It would help if we knew what variety(s) you intend to use.

JamesL · October 23, 2015

2 is really the max. 3 would be way to crowded. I grow pairs just fine in 20 gal subirrigated tubs.

Zenbaas · October 24, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

If I went to 2 or even 3 plants, they would all be the same variety. Water consumption is the primary consideration followed closely by nutrients. The 2 and 3 scenarios will tax your ability to keep the available moisture consistent. Inconsistent anything equals stress for the plants and that could increase the incidence of BER and other undesirables.

It would help if we knew what variety(s) you intend to use.

Interesting. Well I was hoping to grow different varieties but it would make sense to keep the same type together.

I want to grow Black Cherry, Sungold, Indigo cherry drops and Ambrosia Orange UBX (only have black cherry at the moment, waiting on the rest).

KC.Sun · October 24, 2015

There are tradeoffs to consider when planting multiple plants in a SWC. Depending on if you want to let the tomatoes grow wild without suckering or maintaining more of a single stalk plant in the containers. There are the watering issues that Ted mentions, but you have to supply a more steady flow of nutrients. When comparing suckered plants vs non suckered plants, the tomatoes taste considerably different.

It can be done, you would just need to invest more time into it.

Trade off would also include yield. But taste seemed to be significantly elevated in suckered, densely planted tomatoes on my end. I tried 3 suckered plants vs 2 non-suckered plants in SWC.

Zenbaas · October 24, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC.Sun

There are tradeoffs to consider when planting multiple plants in a SWC. Depending on if you want to let the tomatoes grow wild without suckering or maintaining more of a single stalk plant in the containers. There are the watering issues that Ted mentions, but you have to supply a more steady flow of nutrients. When comparing suckered plants vs non suckered plants, the tomatoes taste considerably different.

It can be done, you would just need to invest more time into it.

Trade off would also include yield. But taste seemed to be significantly elevated in suckered, densely planted tomatoes on my end. I tried 3 suckered plants vs 2 non-suckered plants in SWC.

Excellent information there...! I have been suckering all my tomato plants so I'm glad to hear about your experience with taste. I think I will be sticking to 2 plants per container rather. I don't want all that effort to be for naught either.

Gerardo · October 24, 2015

2 should be low maintenance and productive.

October 23, 2015	#1
Zenbaas Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: South Africa Posts: 340	How many Cherry tomatoes in SWC So my question is this for the more experienced growers on the forum: How many Cherry tomatoes could you plant in a 26 gal SWC...? Would two be the max or could one push it to 3 plants...? Last edited by Zenbaas; October 23, 2015 at 03:49 PM.

October 23, 2015	#2
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	If I went to 2 or even 3 plants, they would all be the same variety. Water consumption is the primary consideration followed closely by nutrients. The 2 and 3 scenarios will tax your ability to keep the available moisture consistent. Inconsistent anything equals stress for the plants and that could increase the incidence of BER and other undesirables. It would help if we knew what variety(s) you intend to use. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

October 23, 2015	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	2 is really the max. 3 would be way to crowded. I grow pairs just fine in 20 gal subirrigated tubs.

October 24, 2015	#5
KC.Sun Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: 6a Posts: 322	There are tradeoffs to consider when planting multiple plants in a SWC. Depending on if you want to let the tomatoes grow wild without suckering or maintaining more of a single stalk plant in the containers. There are the watering issues that Ted mentions, but you have to supply a more steady flow of nutrients. When comparing suckered plants vs non suckered plants, the tomatoes taste considerably different. It can be done, you would just need to invest more time into it. Trade off would also include yield. But taste seemed to be significantly elevated in suckered, densely planted tomatoes on my end. I tried 3 suckered plants vs 2 non-suckered plants in SWC.

October 24, 2015	#7
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,594	2 should be low maintenance and productive.