Weird drainage holes

[Yasai]

Hi. I was given loads of plant pots by a lovely lady who is downsizing. Anyway, inside, some of them have cones... three or four cones with holes at the top which I assume are for drainage? Has anyone seen these before? Why are the drainage holes so high up. I’ve tried to find similar ones online -to find an explanation- but no joy...

[bario1]

Some larger pots have these - I assume the idea is that there is a reservoir of water at the bottom of the pot. I've got a tomato in a pot like that, hanging in my polytunnel, and the raised drainage holes help the compost to stay moist longer after watering, i think.

[Yasai]

Some larger pots have these - I assume the idea is that there is a reservoir of water at the bottom of the pot. I've got a tomato in a pot like that, hanging in my polytunnel, and the raised drainage holes help the compost to stay moist longer after watering, i think.

Oh. Thank you so much for the reply. I was actually going to drill some holes in the bottom before putting my tomatoes in them, lol. I shan’t bother. Thanks again.

[Penellype]

Some pots have these and a shelf thing to create a water reservoir. I certainly wouldn't drill holes in the bottom as the reservoir is useful to keep the pot moist for longer. The only caveat is make sure that you are not growing something that hates to be waterlogged - these pots probably wouldn't be a good idea for brassicas. Tomatoes should be fine as they drink loads of water.

[nickdub]

I wonder if anyone has tried this for tomatoes by adapting an standard pot with bits of hose pipe ?

[Bren In Pots]

I wonder if anyone has tried this for tomatoes by adapting an standard pot with bits of hose pipe ?

I do a similar thing with flower buckets drilling holes in the side about an inch up from the base, seems to work fine.

[Yasai]

FYI, it has transpired that these pots aren’t quite as good as they sounded. The water reservoir is very shallow and once the water reaches the height of the cones (the cones are fairly short), the rest of the water just runs out of the pot. In this heat, the water soon gets used up and the pots get so dry they keep toppling over. Sticking them in saucers won’t work because the saucers are too shallow. So, they basically need watering multiple times a day by the looks of it. I’ve had to stick the ones i can still lift into deep basins and half fill the basins. Hopefully that will work. Wishing I’d stuck to using my mfb though. If it ain’t broke...

[robbra]

How big are these pots?
I've been using mine 12"dia x11" high for several years and they've never toppled over even with the tomatoes about 5' high. I water until the water runs out the bottom and I know they're done for 2 days, it's a good idea as I see it.

[Yasai]

I’m not sure what the capacity is, I just know that they have the same amount of soil as my MFBs. But, saying that, they may indeed be too small. The stupid things keep drying out and falling over. Oh well. None of them are growing particularly well anyway, regardless of which pots they’re in. Definitely not my best year for tomatoes. The garden is looking lovely and lush though even if there isn't much I can actually eat.

[robbra]

I've bought mine in Poundland for £1 each or used builders buckets at the same price(holes drilled in the side an inch or so above the base), maybe buy a couple and try next year,
Rob

[Yasai]

I've bought mine in Poundland for £1 each or used builders buckets at the same price(holes drilled in the side an inch or so above the base), maybe buy a couple and try next year,
Rob

What I’m most in need of is some common sense. I have a builder’s bucket hanging up with a tomato plant in it. But, stupid me went and drilled holes in the bottom. Then... surprise, surprise, it kept drying out regardless of daily watering.... so I then put a small basin into a wire hanging basket and, somehow, managed to secure it under the bucket. What. A. Palaver. next time, yes, I will drill holes in the sides instead.... if I remeber

[robbra]

We've all had problems in one way or another and it can be a big learning curve. Asking questions is always the best way as someone will have had a similar experience and found the answer.
Don't give up, it will come right in the end and you'll feel great.
Rob
PS. keep asking the questions

[Miss Mousetrousers]

I don't think they're for drainage but for inserting canes to support tall plants. I have some for my tomatoes and the cones are about the same height of the outer reservoir, so I you put some canes in either as a support or just to block the holes up they should be ok.

[robbra]

I don't think they're for drainage but for inserting canes to support tall plants. I have some for my tomatoes and the cones are about the same height of the outer reservoir, so I you put some canes in either as a support or just to block the holes up they should be ok.

Why would you block up the holes? There would be no drainage if you did.