Grow bush (determinate) tomatoes in 5-gallon (27 cm) pots, and larger vining (indeterminate) tomatoes in 7-gallon (35 cm) or larger pots. If your soil is a heavy clay or is sandy, reduce the amount of soil in the mix and increase the amount of compost to improve drainage and add nutrients. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Add a tall stake or large tomato cage after planting the tomato. How much sunlight do tomatoes growing in pots need? Handpick hornworms and other pests, such as slugs and snails, in the early morning. On the other hand, if you're looking for the maximum harvest from your tomatoes, Bonnie Plants recommends larger containers: 18 inch for determinate and 24 inch diameter for indeterminate cultivars. How to Grow Indeterminates in a Pot. Generally, tomatoes thrive with a 5-10-5 formulation, which supports the growth of the fruits with plenty of phosphorus. • If you're growing tomatoes on a balcony, smaller pots are lighter and easier to manage. Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist and writer who focuses primarily on garden topics. Add a drip watering system or wind a soaker hose through the potted plants to make watering easy while you avoid wetting the foliage. Tomatoes in containers attract the same pests as those grown in the garden. Sunlight for Tomatoes in Containers. Keep the foliage dry and trim the tomato plants as needed to allow air circulation through the plants to discourage fungal infections. Determinate tomatoes produce most of their mature fruits at the same time, which makes them ideal for canning. Tamp the soil gently around the tomato plant and water thoroughly. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. First, choose the right containers. Budget-minded gardeners can use recycled growers' pots, 5-gallon buckets, a 15- to 18-gallon storage container or even an inexpensive laundry basket lined with a garbage bag. Alternatively, add a slow-release fertilizer according to the manufacturer's directions. Growing indeterminate tomato varieties in the containers is possible, although you have to keep these tips in mind to enjoy good results. Follow the line of leaf stubs along the stem and you'll find a green caterpillar. You can also add compost to the mix. Indeterminate cultivars continue to flower and fruit through the growing season, making them ideal for producing salad tomatoes and slicers all summer and fall. Just like tomatoes in a backyard garden, tomatoes in pots need at least 6 hours of sunlight. Put on gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and a dust mask when working with cutting tools, compost and fertilizer. Cloudflare Ray ID: 5f9afca85ae7d6f9 Even if you don't have to move them, and size is not a concern, consider adding wood supports or concrete blocks under the pots for air circulation and better drainage. For growing tomato in self-watering buckets, it is better to support your plants with tomato cage rather than sticks. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, determinate tomato cultivars grow rapidly and then produce flowers at the ends of their branches. Always sterilize your cutting tools with rubbing alcohol between cuts and allow them to air dry to prevent the spread of diseases. Their vining stems and branches, which may grow 10 feet or more, need support to stay off the ground. However, you can still grow indeterminate tomatoes if you give them a large enough container and good support for their vines. A favorite in nearly every home garden in the United States, the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a tender perennial that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. Fill the pot with soil making sure that your tomato plant is buried deep inside your self-watering pot. An ideal tomato cage measures 14-1/2″ wide by 21-1/2″ deep by 30″ high with 8″ legs. Why? Is Potting Soil Enough to Fertilize Tomatoes? All tomatoes can be grown in containers, though indeterminate cultivars need larger pots and staking or a cage to support their stems and branches. In addition to the container size, consider the weight of the container, soil and plant. The numerous determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties are normally grown as annuals. She continues to write nonfiction articles on gardening and other topics and is working on a second "50" book about plants that attract hummingbirds. 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