Greenhouse Toms - Growbags or Compost

[bruno]

Hi - Would you recommend growbags or compost for growing toms in an unheated greenhouse? the compost would be a mix of hame made and general purpose. The grow bags would be - well er growgags.

Also is it worth trying the ring culture approach?

Any thoughts / advice appreciated

Thanx

Bruno  8)

[bruno]

[Isleworth]

Hi Bruno,

First year with a full size greenhouse this year for me, have gone with Growbags on the floor one side of the g/house with large flower pots sunken into them (Bottoms removed) and then the pots topped up with more growbag media. The ones of the floor are for tomatoes and peppers and then I also have two on shelves done the same with pots for melons and cucumbers...

Off to the plot in a moment so will take some pics for you ;)


 

[Tee Gee]

Would you recommend growbags

or compost for growing toms in an unheated greenhouse?


Also is it worth trying the ring culture approach?

Either /or!!

If growing tall plants such as tomatoes try this with growbags;

1) Before opening the bag grip the bag at its centre and let equal amounts of compost trickle to either end of the bag.


2) Cut the bag in half, roll down the bag edges this will help to stiffen the bag.

Cut a few drainage holes in the bottom of the bag, voila!


You have two big pots ready for planting.


Personally I would go the ring culture route with your home made compost!

See slide show here;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Ring%20Culture/Method.htm

[davyw1]

My preference is to grow them in buckets ring culture style i put well rotted manure in the bottom 1/3 of the tub mix in some grow bag then fill up to with 4/5 inches of the top, plant the tomato into it.
As the tomato grows i remove the two lowest leaf stems and suckers then top up the top of the bucket to encourage the nodes to grow. I then place a plant pot over the tomato resting on the top of the soil and again as the tomato grows remove the lower leaf stems two at a time  up to the bottom tress and then top up the plant pot with a mixture of growbag and well rotted manure again allowing the nodes to grow. I push down the compost around the edge of both the tub and the plant pot and this is where i water so it runs down the inside of the tub to the bottom I feed into the plant pot and water into the tub.

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[tim]

Half bags?

[betula]

That looks impressive  :)

[ipt8]

Try some of each to compare....

[tim]

Last picture was a while ago.

Current one herewith. And this shows not to mess around with strange composts. Mentioned before -  bought Strawberry bags - only ones available - assumed that make-up couldn't be that different in the short term. I was mistaken? See centre rows.

Yes - there were three planting dates, but...........??

[Debs]

Growbags.

Three toms to each bag planted in bottomless pots into grow bag - always get fantastic toms.

Also helps to cut 3" pots into grow bag for extra watering during the fabulous summer-to-come  ::)

Debs

[bruno]

Eventually went for growbags (large size) 2 toms per bag (ferline) with bottomless pots on top ring culture style filled with own compost. Hopefully should do ok - just wish my greenhouse was as big as some in the posted photos.

Bruno