Upsidedown tomato planters

[Parkysmum]

I've splashed out and bought 3 upsidedown tomato planters (not sure if I can use brand names here). They are called Topsy Turvy and look like chinese lanterns but when planted have a tomato plant suspended from the bottom. They are apparenly useful for courgettes and peppers too but as this is my first year of growing anything whatsoever, I thought I'd conduct an experiment and grow some tomatoes in the normal way and a couple in this way.

Has anyone else tried this method? The advert on the box says they ripen earlier and dont get eaten by pests.

[Sue]

Hi Parkysmum
I didn't know you could buy them "ready made" was going to make holes in some plastic buckets I got for free.
I saw this method in a gardening tips book and will be fixing brackets to my hen run so I can hang them up
We shall have to compare notes, I've got gartenperle growing ready to go in, what type are you trying?
Sue

[Eternal Sunshine]

Think we're growing them in tyres this year so we'll have to compare notes at at the end of the season & see which was best!

[zazen999]

Hi Parkys.

I tried this last year, I turned a large plastic plant pot upside down [filled with compost] and sowed straight into the drainage holes. All but one came up. When they were about 3 inches high, I turned the pot upside down and hung it up on string that I had already attached. I popped half a plastic squash bottle in the top to water it; like a funnel. I also put some kitchen roll in the funnel bit to stop the water pouring straight out of the soil.

I added a tagetes and no; no pests at all.

The one issue I had was I stupidly went away to a rainy Scarborough when it was actually hot down here and it dried out a little. After that I didn't get new fruit but the ones on there kept going red for a few weeks afterwards. I would put it indoors if going away again.

I'll be doing it again with a few - but still in cheap plant pots. Too tight to buy something special.

[debsbragard]

I also bought some - must have seen the same sale! But I want to put aubergines in as I eat so many. Last year got lots of flowers but no veg - what did I do wrong?

[debsbragard]

Topsy Turvy planters

Bought some too - probably in same sale. But I want to grow aubergines as we get through so many. Last year (first year veggie growing) got loads of flowers but no veg - what did I do wrong? Also grew them in plastic greenhouse and this year want to put upside down planter on south facing wall.

[Snadger]

Seem to remember Geordie giving an explanation on how to make an upside down tomato planter from a galvanised bucket? It will still hopefully be on here somewhere!

[Snadger]

Here you go!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...006-a_204.html

Thread number 24 on!

[Hellbell]

Can anyone tell what variety of tomato plant you should use in these upside down planters – bush or cordon? I've got gardener's delight growing from seed – would these do okay?

[Novice Gardener]

Has anyone got a piccie? What's the benefit of growing them like this as opposed to the usual way?

[Rocketron]

Click on the green writing 2 posts up.

[lynnew]

Have a tomato plant in the upside down planter that is really healthy but is intent on growing up, it has twisted round and is now growing upwards. Why?

[bramble]

I suppose because they naturally grow upright, and also the light pulls them upwards.

[jackyspratty]

Ther is a thread on these in top tips. Have a look at it, its the same make of grower. A few of us have raised some points that may help. Just do a search and the thread should come up.

Cant let you know how successful they are yat. I am growing a bush and a cordon. Not sure what I think yet, but they were a bugger to plant as the hole was too small to get the root ball through, wrap it in a bag that helps!

Have a look see at at the thread, it might help?

[Mell]

I used two of these last year, but I've two queries, firstly are there any more attractive upside-down planters and second what sort of things do you hang them from. Last year my two were on hooks on the wall, but I'm thinking a stand of some sort might be good to hold a few