Quadgrow Q

[Argonaut]

I am into 2nd season of using Quadgrow for Tomato & cucumber crops ..... and when you see how much water they take up naturally in this weather, you realise how much you were getting it wrong.

For those that also use Quadgrow - do you continue to use the 2-part pack from Greenhouse sensations - or do you use some other concoction.

Just mixed my last 2 packs .... so time to ask the Q

[DannyK]

I have two quadgrows in tandem.

I just use tomato fertilizer per the instructions. Rely on MPC's fertilizer for first six weeks.

[Argonaut]

what is 'MPC's' fertilizer ? don't know that term

[Jimny14]

Multi Purpose Compost.

[Argonaut]

OK ... thnx.
I potted them up in MPC .. and when big enough they were potted in the Quadgrow in Canna Professional compost.
I didn't feed until first flowers arrived.

The Tomato feed you use what is it ? ...... and I have cucumbers in Quadgrow as well .... so needs to be a feed that suits both.

[Babru]

I've been looking at the Quadgrow too. It looks good if you want want to go away for a few days. Does it work well, and does it last the full 14 days? I see there is the option of an extension if you are away longer.

[quietandy]

Hello. I have 2 quad grows with the additional reservoir and the grey valves. I would recommend getting the reservoir if you are going away for more than three days. My tomato plants seem to drink it all up in the greenhouse in 3 days without being topped up. I have just added the reservoir after having to get the right valves sent out then the right connectors sent out but i have all ready seen enough to give me confidence that i will not need to top up for a few days yet maybe even 5 or 6 days. Not sure about 14 though in this heat! Great products. I just keep topping the reservoir up with the two part feed they send out. The refill packs are a great idea (having to reuse the original containers).

[DannyK]

The Tomato feed you use what is it ? ...... and I have cucumbers in Quadgrow as well .... so needs to be a feed that suits both.

I just use the Tesco own brand or whatever is available. Only caveat is read instructions closely as each brand seems to have it's own dilution and application rates. All brands so far say ok for cucurbits.

[Argonaut]

Hello. I have 2 quad grows with the additional reservoir and the grey valves. I would recommend getting the reservoir if you are going away for more than three days. My tomato plants seem to drink it all up in the greenhouse in 3 days without being topped up. I have just added the reservoir after having to get the right valves sent out then the right connectors sent out but i have all ready seen enough to give me confidence that i will not need to top up for a few days yet maybe even 5 or 6 days. Not sure about 14 though in this heat! Great products. I just keep topping the reservoir up with the two part feed they send out. The refill packs are a great idea (having to reuse the original containers).

Can you explain what yo mean by Grey valves ?
The flat valves have white floats on mine

[Argonaut]

I've been looking at the Quadgrow too. It looks good if you want want to go away for a few days. Does it work well, and does it last the full 14 days? I see there is the option of an extension if you are away longer.

NO ... not in this weather
I have 2 tanks and the reservoir ......... the reservoir empties daily .... so would expect tanks to empty in about 3 days.

[quietandy]

Grey/White i think we mean the same thing.

[Argonaut]

One problem that can happen is that plant roots grow and warp around the valve and stop water flowing into tank.
They should hav a horizontal baffle to keep valve away from roots

[remf33]

I hope it's ok to tag this question on here... I've been using Quad Grow outdoors for some years now. Last year, with the sustained hot weather, my tomatoes went a bit nuts, and while I was away, had become so top heavy that they fell off their tanks. (Also issues keeping the tanks topped up, which may not be unconnected. I don't have the extra reservoirs, had 24 plants on the go and my poor cat sitters/feeders spent far more time on the plants than on the cats. A bit of a mare really. But a crop so big in the end that I got fed up with them!)
Any suggestions as to how this can be avoided? I know Quad Grow sell frames, but I am not convinced that the whole lot might not come over. Has anyone tried them?

Incidentally, I do use the plant food that comes with the planters, although it's a bit of a faff mixing it. I always wonder what will happen if I mix them in the wrong order. I have school chemistry lab visions of it spontaneously combusting...

[remf33]

p.s. just also saw the price of the support frames!

[Argonaut]

Food is easy .... mix up the 2 containers and add equal parts or each to a can of water, makes no difference what order you add them ... just don't mix them prior to adding to the watering can.

I use 2 x Quadgrow and a separate top up tank.
It struggled to keep up with water requirements last year ... 'holiday tank' needed refilling each day.
So 2 x Quadgrow using at least 25L water per day .... for 6 x tomato and 2 x cucumber plants.

Previous years been OK .... just a long hot summer.

I have one bamboo upright per pot, these are tied off at the top (~5') to a horizontal bamboo which hangs off greenhouse frame.
Plants grow up, I tie to cane, I pinch out growing tip when it reaches top. Usually finishes about 8-12" above top rail, which I then just tie off & twist around horizontal cane.
It produced bucket loads of fruit. No collapse or failure.

BTW - I moved to mini F1 cucumbers a few years ago - absolutely perfect for Quadgrow.