Pot Size

[jimfin]

Hi All
I have just set up my first GH and am stocking up with veg from the local garden center.
So far I have started growing Coriander from seed, and it is just starting to sprout. A Chilli plant and some scalions. 2 toms. Some lettus and some Rocket.
Me question is, is there a rule as to what size pot to plant in?
I have put the scalions into 350g mushroom containers, 2 per container. And I have the chilli plant in a 12mm pot.

[Rabidbun]

No real rule for chillies as far as I have found, just personal preference mostly, though some do tend to like their space! I put my chillies in 8-10 inch pots for windowsill growing and around 10-12 inch pots for outside/greenhouse depending on how big I want them to get (pinching out the growing tips can keep a lid on them if they start to get to big or spindly). You can still get a fair harvest with 6 inch pots (though I found that with the varieties I grew in them last year there was a slight hit on the yield).

What type of chilli are you growing?

[HotStuff]

I have the chilli plant in a 12mm pot.

Presume you actually mean 12cm Normally with Chillies (and other things) you move things on to bigger pots as they grow. If you see roots coming out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, then it needs moving up to a bigger size. Putting things in pots that are too big too soon can be counter-productive. You say you currently have yours in a 12cm, if it's only small then that's fine for now. As it grows you would probably move on to 17cm, then finally something around 23cm-30cm.

[jimfin]

I'm growing Cayneene. Just spotted it in the GC and bought it. It's about 6" high.
We like Indian food so will have to get some peppers etc.

[Rabidbun]

Ooo, nice! Growing two of those this year myself. Didn't start them off early enough last year and lost the overwintered one so hardly had any, but the flavour of the ones I did have was very good!

[bramble]

Hi Jimfin,As regards the scallions, are you talking about the blue plastric mushroom containere.
If so, i would think they are too shallow for scallions.
With chillis, pot them on into bigger pots as the plant increases in size.

[jimfin]

The mushroom containers are 8cm deep with a few holes drilled in the bottom of them.
At the moment I am watering from the top most evenings. Appart from going to the local GC and buying trays for containers to sit in and soak from the bottom. Has anybody come up with a DIY method for a tray that will hold water.

[sweetiepea]

I use cheap cat litter trays (unused!!!) and plastic tea trays with a high lip around the edge (the type you use for cups saucers etc) from the discount store. I find the GC much too expensive for these types of things. Shop around, and just make sure that what you buy is ridgid and won't warp. I've been using some of mine for years.

[bramble]

I would think these mushroom containers are too shallow for your scallions.
Be careful not to overwater them as they may rot.
Good luck.

[Two_Sheds]

At the moment I am watering from the top most evenings. Appart from going to the local GC and buying trays for containers....

Why? Are they really drying out every day? Mine do, but I have my greenhouse on a hot south-facing patio. I always water from the bottom, always.

Otherwise you encourage fungus gnats, mould and allsorts.

Round here, cat litter trays are about £1.50 and Wilkinsons are doing gravel trays for only 60p.

My routine is: fill up 5 gravel trays with water, and bring all the (dry) pots out of the greenhouse for a 20 min drink each. Put them all back in the greenhouse, don't leave anything standing in water.

[Two_Sheds]

So far I have started growing Coriander from seed, and it is just starting to sprout.

Try it, but I have found that coriander hates being transplanted, and just bolts early, so try and sow it direct if you can.

[FionaH]

Try it, but I have found that coriander hates being transplanted, and just bolts early, so try and sow it direct if you can.

TS is right about the coriander. I ignored her advice about transplanting it and felt very smug that it seemed to take very well.....right up to the point all three plants bolted

[jimfin]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Forgive my ignorance but what is ment by "Bolting"

[HotStuff]

Jimfin, bolting is when veg goes to seed prematurely.

[susieq100]

I use cheap cat litter trays (unused!!!) and plastic tea trays with a high lip around the edge (the type you use for cups saucers etc) from the discount store. I find the GC much too expensive for these types of things. Shop around, and just make sure that what you buy is ridgid and won't warp. I've been using some of mine for years.

What a fabulous idea - I have been looking for an alternative to expensive pot saucers. Thanks sweetiepea.