Pots with no holes

[Toby]

I have been looking for some big pots for tomato plants but have noticed more and more pots especially cheaper ones, without holes in the bottom.

I was under the impression tht pots always needed holes in them, So if i bought these would i have to drill holes in the bottom?

what would happen if i didn't

[shirlthegirl43]

I use 10 litre florist buckets for my tomatoes, peppers and chilies. These don't have holes in them and I drill some. The danger with having no holes in the bottoms of the pots would be that you overwater and the plant roots would rot.

[Topaz]

I get all the flower buckets from co-op and they dont have holes, Hubby just drills holes for drainage for me

[Two_Sheds]

drill, or heat up a screwdriver over your cooker flame to melt drainage holes (but don't do it when Other Half is around)

[Nicos]

No holes= water-logging= rotten roots=dead plants

Take care with drilling proper pots- you'll need masking tape and a very slow drill speed , otherwise the pot could shatter- and therefore defeating the cash saving!

[Sanjo]

I bought a couple of plastic terracotta coloured pots in my local 99p shop (guess how much!!) Not bad quality for the purpose required. No holes though. I did what I always do - heated up my old sharpening steel till pretty hot (but not glowing) and then made the holes with that. Nice neat hole and fairly quickly done. I also take advantage of the no hole fact to allow mine to be that little bit higher so that I always have a little reservoir in the bottom so that the pot doesn't completely dry out. Imporant for thirsty plants without the fear of waterlogging them. Sanjo

[TonyF]

I buy plasterer's buckets here (99c each) and drill out 5 holes in the bottoms using a flat bit, easy really, and then use crocking to cover the holes a bit and to allow for drainage.

[Alice]

You need to drill drainage holes Toby, otherwise the pots are likely to end as waterlogged bogs. |Got the picture ?

[Flummery]

I think some of these pots are meant as decorative 'outer pots' - the terracotta ones at least. You can sink your old disgusting pot into it for a plush look. The old pot would have drainage holes though, so it would be ok.

[momol]

For your tomatoes, you should drill some holes but for water cress, water chestnut or any other water plant , you can use it as it is.