TOMATO WATER

[HARV]

I am growing cherry tomatoes and cuckes in 7 gal pots. I have 5in of crushed stone in the bottom and drain holes. Is it a concern if I have water in the saucers?
thanx
hn

 

[Chuck]

I am growing cherry tomatoes and cuckes in 7 gal pots. I have 5in of crushed stone in the bottom and drain holes. Is it a concern if I have water in the saucers?
thanx
hn

Yes, the roots will still grow through the roots. How deep is the soil.

 

[HARV]

Tomato soil s 11 in or so. pots are 7 gal. 15 in deep. so 10 of soil. I planted dead fish in planters in nov and again in march
cuke container is 12 in deep so 7 or 8 of soil.
thanx
hn

 

[Chuck]

Tomato soil s 11 in or so. pots are 7 gal. 15 in deep. so 10 of soil. I planted dead fish in planters in nov and again in march
cuke container is 12 in deep so 7 or 8 of soil.
thanx
hn

I think the cucs should do OK. However, the tomatoes have a much more robust root system and I am afraid that in limited soil that they will stunt. Raw fish is a good fertilizer but it lacks certain essential minerals some of which can be overcome by using Epsom Salts. I know the Indians used raw fish but they didn't grow hybridized tomatoes or cucumbers. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

 

[HARV]

Chuck,
many thanks, plants came from well known local Garden Center. I noticed tiny green specs in plant root soil. I assume these are proper fertilizer I will continue to fertilize in time. Cherrys produced very well in these pots last year until I went to the hospital with a heart issue and was there 5 or 6 days my wife did not water. imagine ignoring the plants because I could be dying. HAHA. I just put out two days ago we have had total rain
which is unusual I am concerned that the standing water in the saucers was an issue.
If so I can dump it.
thanx

 

[HARV]

ps I am in Northern Va

 

[HARV]

Chuck,
many thanks, plants came from well known local Garden Center. I noticed tiny green specs in plant root soil. I assume these are proper fertilizer I will continue to fertilize in time. Cherrys produced very well in these pots last year until I went to the hospital with a heart issue and was there 5 or 6 days my wife did not water. imagine ignoring the plants because I could be dying. HAHA. I just put out two days ago we have had total rain
which is unusual I am concerned that the standing water in the saucers was an issue.
If so I can dump it.
thanx

Chuck,
Thanx but didn't answer regarding water in saucers

 

[headfullofbees]

As the bottom of your growing medium is likely to be above the top of the lip of your saucer, & as stone doesn't have the necessary capillaries to raise that water to the level of your compost, and also as the only tomato or cucumber roots found at that depth would be tap roots, which are FOR sitting in water, you will have no problem with rotting at that depth. (I hope you haven't buried your tomatoes deep, in which case all bets are off)
One problem that you may encounter, however, is with the cucumbers: until they really get going, it is best to water young plants from underneath, as the surface roots are susceptible to rotting. Your stones in the bottom preclude that.
SO... two gardening myths busted at one post:
1) Potting tomatoes deep is a nonsense. It does no good, shortens the season & can be counter-productive.
2) Placing "old crocks" in the bottom of plant pots is a crock of shit.
You'd be far better off if you had your drainage holes (3/8" /8mm) in the sides of your pots approx 2" /50mm from the bottom, with compost all the way to the bottom.

 

[HARV]

As the bottom of your growing medium is likely to be above the top of the lip of your saucer, & as stone doesn't have the necessary capillaries to raise that water to the level of your compost, and also as the only tomato or cucumber roots found at that depth would be tap roots, which are FOR sitting in water, you will have no problem with rotting at that depth. (I hope you haven't buried your tomatoes deep, in which case all bets are off)
One problem that you may encounter, however, is with the cucumbers: until they really get going, it is best to water young plants from underneath, as the surface roots are susceptible to rotting. Your stones in the bottom preclude that.
SO... two gardening myths busted at one post:
1) Potting tomatoes deep is a nonsense. It does no good, shortens the season & can be counter-productive.
2) Placing "old crocks" in the bottom of plant pots is a crock of shit.
You'd be far better off if you had your drainage holes (3/8" /8mm) in the sides of your pots approx 2" /50mm from the bottom, with compost all the way to the bottom.

 

[HARV]

YES SIR
the saucer is substantially below the plants roots
thanx so much
hn