I searched, but didn't see anything on this. Since you guys helped me out on how to preserve my basil awhile ago, I wanted to also hear any feedback on growing tomatoes upside down. I've heard this is a good method, but haven't ever done it. I know in theory how it works, but what, in your experiences, makes growing them upside down advantageous/worse? I can't decide if it's worth the trouble (though relatively small) to go upside down or just keep them the way I had them.

6/10/2009 10:31:02 AM

We're trying it for the first time this year, and so far, it's working great. The plant is huge. It actually has turned and is now above the topsy turvy's top, so make sure you put it some place it can grow down a bit and then back up.

6/10/2009 10:33:38 AM

My grandma has a couple and they do grow like crazy. Her setup looks like the below.

6/10/2009 10:38:58 AM

The Topsy Turvy!

6/10/2009 10:44:42 AM

That's crazy. What other produce can you grow this way?

6/10/2009 11:22:04 AM

Quote :

"We're trying it for the first time this year, and so far, it's working great. The plant is huge. It actually has turned and is now above the topsy turvy's top, so make sure you put it some place it can grow down a bit and then back up."

How often do you water and fertilize?

I tried one a couple years ago and had miserable results. Granted, I was spending a lot of time at my then gf's place, but the plants I put in the ground and watered and fertilized at the same rate fared MUCH better. So I only speculate that it needs more frequent watering than plants in the ground because it doesn't retain moisture as well.

I have cherry tomato plants that are 6 feet tall and beefsteaks that are over 5, so I dunno if I'll ever try a Topsy Turvy again.

6/10/2009 11:29:47 AM

My dad tried it last year...the actual plant grew like crazy, but he had a big problem with bloom rot and the tomatoes that did grow didn't get that big.

6/10/2009 11:31:36 AM

my dad is doing one this year in a 5 gallon bucket w/ a small hole cut in the bottom. he says it's something do with all the nutrients running to the bottom of the container when you water. i'm not sure how his is doing now.

6/10/2009 2:44:04 PM

thats what nutrients are supposed to do

drain to the bottom and out of the system, that cant be the benefit of this setup because it would do the same thing

i dont understand how it works and would liek to know myself, only thing i can think of is it keeps you from having to stake an keeps the tomatoes and leaves off the ground, maybe easier harvesting and better air movement through the plant

6/10/2009 3:09:43 PM

I researched this earlier this week.

A lot of people who did this claimed that growing plants in the ground is your best bet if you don't have a garden, use an upside down container. People with 5-gallon buckets seemed to have better results than topsy-turveys. They recommended putting cardboard around the plant's stem to keep water and soil from escaping. You need to water the plant a lot because all the free water in the soil will drip out. So set up a constant drip watering system or water 2-3 times a day. Don't let your plant get to hot. They also recommended having at least 6' of clearance from the bottom of bucket to the ground surface. This will make watering difficult without a ladder.

6/10/2009 6:05:08 PM

constant drip isnt good youll lose all your nutrients

im also not a fan of covering the tops of pots, thats for nurseries that are concerned about weeds establishing, in my experience it creates an environment for disease especially if the top wounds the plant


plus the crown (right above the root) is an important point of oxygen exchangem thats one of the reasons you dont transplant a tree too low into the ground nor do you mulch right up against a tree or plant

6/10/2009 6:08:48 PM

Quote :

"nor do you mulch right up against a tree or plant"

I see instances of over-mulching way too often. Everyone I've confronted about it simply says something like, "That's how I've always seen it done, so I thought that was the right way to do it..." or "But it looks good that way!!"




NO!

Quote :

"growing tomatoes upside down"

I've not tried this. But as I said in the container gardening thread, I don't see any reason to discontinue the organic raised bed method that's always resulted in 8-foot-tall plants...

[Edited on June 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM. Reason : ]

6/11/2009 4:19:55 PM

^ ha those are ridiculous

6/11/2009 9:20:08 PM