What size pots for toms?

[SeedMad]

im going to have most of my tomatoes in pots so was just wondering what size pot is best suited to get the most out of them? and does the same apply to my chilli's ?

[buzzingtalk]

I had toms in massive 40L pots last year - way too big. Apparently, morrisons flower buckets are ideal - I'm going to get some today/tomorrow so I'll provide you with measurements but if you buy flowers and know the buckets they come in, that's the size.

[Kristen]

best to work you way up through pot sizes, rather than plant straight into a large pot. I go 3", 4.5", 6", 9" and then used to finish at 12" but now they go into the greenhouse border after 9" (I keep them in pots up to 9" because they stay in conservatory, which is warmer than greenhouse, until early May).

[salilah]

I did chillis, cucumbers and aubergines in Morrisons flower buckets last year - worked fine! Needs quite a lot of watering though...

[Florence Fennel]

As Kristen says and final transplant into bucket. I use flower buckets from Asda - they're free (if you want to get loads, wait until Mothering Sunday, there'll be hundreds spare).

[kingkano]

Why is a 40L pot way too big? I'd have thought the bigger the better in terms of keeping it watered easily?

I used 12" square pots outside last year and will this year in my new greenhouse I think. Thats about 30L. Although I use smaller ones for aubergines, peppers, etc.

[Jono]

I did chillis, cucumbers and aubergines in Morrisons flower buckets last year - worked fine! Needs quite a lot of watering though...

This hits the nail on the head for me - I didn't water my pot ones anywhere near enough last summer, and they weren't that great. Plot grown ones were excellent, but I was watering them every other day.

Reckon pots ones need some water every day, from my experience.

[tumbling tom]

Yes definitly everyday. Infact when I went on holiday I lay a sprinkler hose on them and timer for went on for ten minutes twice a day.

Grew absolutly loads of aubs/peppers and other stuff, all outside here in Berks and in morrisons buckets.

[buzzingtalk]

Kingkano - was too big as I grow in pots due to not having a garden, so couldn't have many. I could get a much better yield off pots that were smaller and have more plants...

[taff]

apparently chillis produce more fruit in a pot where their roots are restricted a bit more, so a morrisons bucket may be a bit big.
I have to say though, I grew one type of chilli in a pot, fed regularly twice a week, and also in a tank with added cow manure and no root restriction or extra feeding. The ones in the tank gave me more chillies.

[SeedMad]

thanks for the advice guys, will probs try to stagger things

[Chef_uk]

when potting on, how far can the plant be planted under the compost? Same level as the previous pot or can the stem be buried somewhat?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Chef,

For toms bury the stem up to the leaves, secondary roots will be thrown and give you a much stronger plant.

Colin

[Chef_uk]

Ah nice, thanks

[Lotsaveg]

What compost mixes do you use? I've been using a 1:1 peat and sand mix with a dose of osmacoat slow release fertiliser. The yield hasn't been too spectacular over the past couple of years though