A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 my upside down tomatoe plants (ROMA)

Today my grandsons and I followed directions in planting upside down tomato plants Here we are doing it step by step I hope this isn't too many pic but there were a few people on here wanting to know what and how to do,, So here is mine pretty much documented for my own sake as well. I will divide this among a few post(s) I'm not sure the amount allowed per post

Starting with the bucket andcoffee filter or paper insert (to prevent soil from falling out)
I used a small paper plate.

now we inserted the plant into the paper plate then into the bucket hole being tender as to not tear the leaves

Next "lift the plant up" and place soil between root ball and bottom of bucket so the stem is inside the bucket and only the leaves show thru as you fill the bucket with a composted soil mix




I then planted impatients seeds on top of soil, but you can plant herbs or already starter plants, provided the roots of whatever you put on top will not take over the bucket needed for tomato roots. this is an option you can also put the lid back on top back on top loosely fitted .

Well I under estimated the weight of the buckets Filled!! :rolleyes: I had to run to Home depot and purchase a 2 sides(lshaped) steel bacing rod to help support the shephards hook ccuz' it Leeeaned waaay back when I first put the buckets up!




Here's hoping for good romas this season!!!

that is great! thanks for sharing all of that! I am soooo excited to do this this year! I think I'll plant marigolds in the top keep us updated on the growing process!

nice explanation and pic's, thanks!

I saw a picture of the up-side-down Tomato in a Gardening magazine recently, & wondered how they really did that!

Thanks HEAPS, Angelblossom!

(Excellent photo illustration - Job well done!)

Ditto on all the above response's there Diane
and Grandsons!!!!
AWESOME JOB..
Great photo's, good documentary and everything looks realllllllly good!!!

I GOT REALLLLLLLLY EXCITED OVER THAT WHEELBARROW FULL OF COMPOSTED SOIL....

I can not wait to see the progression on this post..
THANK~YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!

*are your grandsons real budding gardeners...
or a reluctant ones??*
It's good to get them interested early if they are willing...

Is it essential to use a determinate tomato variety, so they won't get too big?
Great info and pics!

Weezie.>>are your grandsons real budding gardeners...
or a reluctant ones??*
Weezie the older one is very interested, the younger one can take it or leave it unless I appoint one or two plants specifically 'his' then and only then will he claim it and is interested in taking care of it!LOL
Is it essential to use a determinate tomato variety, so they won't get too big?

Yes too big and too dense of tomatoes or any large producing fruit will break the branches And I wish I would have hung them higher it may reach the ground but one can put a tomato cage under the buckets to help support the branches as it grows: banana peppers , strawberries, and smaller fruiting plants are even better.

Oh yes one more thing I forgot to mention,, as the plant grows it will try to "turn up" towards the sun a site on net suggested using 'Fishing sinkers' to temporailey put on branches to keep growing in a downward position untill the length is such that the bucket doesn't 'shadow the leaves.


I'm just praying it takes hold,grows and produces!! I will post more as it progresses.

GREAT JOB, angelblossom! I've heard of this and was interested because I thought it would eliminate any weed problems. I just wasn't sure of how to go about it, but now I know! Thanks!!!

patches

This is just food for thought Diane,
but have you ever seen those pulley systems
for people that want to put house plants on their porch??

and theres a string attached, they pull it,
the plant comes down to water, and then back up..

Would you have an area, that would get enough sun, and to be able to attach a pulley to something to get it up higher???????

Just an idea..
if you wanted it up higher and had a place to do it...

My little one's are the same way,
The oldest has "his" plants, different colored peppers!
The youngest loves to dig, and dig, and dig..
but I don't need the holes THAT DEEP, I tell him..
hate to not encourage him, but wow~zerzzzzzzzzz,
I could see China if I let him go...

Patches: It was very easy to thread the leaves thru the hole and I don't see why you couldn't
cut the circle and slit open one side of filter or paper however you's still have to thread it thru the bucket and you can't split that I just held the leave together stuck it thru as my oldest GS, gentle pulled from the other side this was our first time but it really was quit easy. you don't have to use paper plate or filter spagnum peat moss or anything that will prevent soil from falling out will work .

2. What kind of metal sifter do you have in your wheelbarrow, and where did you get it?

I looked and looked for something to sift compost with I finally went to a resturant supply store and bought a huge deep fat fryer basket ($16.00) LOL I liked the fact that it has a long handle tho it has larger holes then I'd like. I also bought a larger screened mesh cornmeal sifter but if the compost is moist it just "mats' on the screen so I kinda gave up on that unless the compost is completley dry.

BTW I was too lazy to make my own sifter
:rolleyes: .

weezie I have seen the pully system but I don't have anywhere that would work for me,, however I really did think about drilling a hammock hook into the roofing ledge and hooking it up there, I could have still water it easy enough but DH wanted to wait... as this was another one of my "Experiments" :rolleyes: and if it proves successful then next season he would place heavy gauged hooks in the support ledges of roof

Tell DH, I applaud him for at least helping in your experiments...
That's half the battle when you can get them to co~operate...

I think that pulley system would work, and would
realllllly give you that height you need..

Njoynit in Texas did the hang~up~side~down Tomatoes' too!!!!

Another thought on the slit in the plate, you could use 2 plates and offset the slits on opposite sides.

I will be watching this topic!!!

Angelblossum, I like the idea of using spagnum peat moss better than the paper plate.

patches

For me, I'd throw the worm castings
right in as I'm sifting the compost....
That way i'ts evenly spread inside all the dirt.

patches Yep- that's it! I think mine is a little bigger in diameter but it works! LOL

I was even thinking of using a couple of old tomato cages for some starter vining plants I have because right now I can't afford to buy 3 trellis. plus it will give it a shape. Funny how us gardeners and improvise with things around the house

Diane

Here's my sifter.....

Can't see the holes in it, but that's how big the sifter is...
I like it that big, I can shovel big shovels full into it, and use the big shovel to rake it back and forth a bit... then get out my trowel, and rake it back and forth....

Weezie, I'm not going to put my worm castings in with my compost. I want to use the dry fry basket to separate the worms from the castings like they did at the worm farm. I want to keep the castings for special things like planting in containers.

I am planning on building something like you have to sift my regular compost.

patches

Diane, considering what I'm using the fry basket for I don't think I would want anything that was bigger, so this should be fine.

It's probably not a coincidence that us gardeners can improvise with things around the house. It's actually a necessity since we spend so much money on all our plants and other garden needs.

patches

patches: that's soo true mine is bigger but it also makes it heavier I have found to fill it half full for me makes it a little easier on my arms to sift Oh how very well I know about spending $ on plants and garden needs I'm kinda like a shopaholic when it comes to plants My DH started to get irritated at all the $ spent so I ration my gasoline to give me 20 Xtr $ a week for my garden(s) I sometimes leave things at work and bring it in slowly and blend it in nicely so he doesn't notice ... too much

hello angle,

i was in awe when i read your super posts and pix about those tomatoes,you reeeeealy made me want to do the same,i m so looking forward to the continuity of it all..tell your grandsons they did a good job helping....i m so looking forward to do the same...only one difference....SNOW<GRRR....you re so lucky to live in tx.

have a good day/bonne journee !!

Franny.