Grow bags
 

I am in the process of making my own grow bags. They are approx 3 gallon bags. I am using a net pot in the bottom sitting on a gutter system. Is the 3 gallon bags big enough for tomatoes and peppers etc. I have been told that I need at least 5 gal bags. Any thoughts.

[QUOTE=2gengh;619490]I am in the process of making my own grow bags. They are approx 3 gallon bags. I am using a net pot in the bottom sitting on a gutter system. Is the 3 gallon bags big enough for tomatoes and peppers etc. I have been told that I need at least 5 gal bags. Any thoughts.[/QUOTE]

I think 3 gallon is way too small for most tomatoes except maybe for micros and some hot chili peppers.
Yes , 5 gallon is on the border line, that is recommended to use for most varieties. Ten (10) gallons plus is better for indeterminants.
When container is too small, it has some disadvantages :

-- The plant will get root bound, stay dwarfish and produce fewer and smaller fruits.
-- It will need more frequent watering and fertilizing. Even then the moisture level will be inconsistent and that in turn might cause BER..
JMO

[QUOTE=Gardeneer;619509]I think 3 gallon is way too small for most tomatoes except maybe for micros and some hot chili peppers.
Yes , 5 gallon is on the border line, that is recommended to use for most varieties. Ten (10) gallons plus is better for indeterminants.
When container is too small, it has some disadvantages :

-- The plant will get root bound, stay dwarfish and produce fewer and smaller fruits.
-- It will need more frequent watering and fertilizing. Even then the moisture level will be inconsistent and that in turn might cause BER..
JMO[/QUOTE]
THANKS... I will use these small bags for something else......

[QUOTE=2gengh;619510]THANKS... I will use these small bags for something else......[/QUOTE]

:yes:
In the past I have bought and used cheap re-usable grocery bags ( from Kroger/Fred Mayers ) for peppers and dwarfs. The bigger size was over 6 gallons. And the cost : 89 cents.
I still have some of those and might plant ornamental peppers in them.

[QUOTE=Gardeneer;619518]:yes:
In the past I have bought and used cheap re-usable grocery bags ( from Kroger/Fred Mayers ) for peppers and dwarfs. The bigger size was over 6 gallons. And the cost : 89 cents.
I still have some of those and might plant ornamental peppers in them.[/QUOTE]
Walmart has bags this size for 50 cents each. Or at least, they did a few months ago when I was buying a few dozen to plant in.

[QUOTE=Merridiel;619531]Walmart has bags this size for 50 cents each. Or at least, they did a few months ago when I was buying a few dozen to plant in.[/QUOTE]
That is a good deal. Even it just last one season, what will be the damage ? 50 cents ?

The RGGS will keep the moisture consistent, and if you're able to feed them adequately with liquid nutes and/or slow release granules, plus Cal-Mag (via liquid or dol-lime), you can get away with the 3 gallon bags. Give it a shot, worst case scenario you get smaller tomatoes that have more intense flavor.

Compact plants, such as Bushy Chabarovsky or other bushy determinates, any from the dwarf project, lots to choose from.

I've grown "larger" indeterminates in as little as 4 gallons and they do just fine, the RGGS helps you get away with smaller volumes.

Some of the larger plants, and even some of the dwarfs have gone full kratky, bursting through the bag, through the net cup and doing a Rapunzel impression in the tube.

You should be able to use 3-5gallon bags for dwarf plants as I am now. I'm using 5gallon for cherry tomatoes too.

[QUOTE=maxjohnson;619539]You should be able to use 3-5gallon bags for dwarf plants as I am now. I'm using 5gallon for cherry tomatoes too.[/QUOTE]

Dwarfs that I have grown, were bigger than some determinants. They can grow upward of 5 ft and bushy too. :shock:YMMV

I've used 7 and 10 gallon root pouches for tomatoes with pretty good results.

I go with five gallon bags for dwarf tomatoes and they do very well. I grew some dwarf project tomatoes in both five gallon bags and in ground last year, and didn't see much difference in plant size or production.

Three gallon bags are perfect for small, super hot peppers. I've grown both habaneros and Scotch Bonnets in three gallon grow bags and ended up with healthy plants, loaded with more peppers than I knew what to do with!

[QUOTE=Father'sDaughter;619700]I go with five gallon bags for dwarf tomatoes and they do very well. I grew some dwarf project tomatoes in both five gallon bags and in ground last year, and didn't see much difference in plant size or production.

Three gallon bags are perfect for small, super hot peppers. I've grown both habaneros and Scotch Bonnets in three gallon grow bags and ended up with healthy plants, loaded with more peppers than I knew what to do with![/QUOTE]
:yes:I have grown some in 5 gallon too:
== Pink Passion
== Rosella Crimson
== Dwarf Purple Heat ( biggest .. staking was a problem. Cage would be better)
and few others.
I have grown most of my hot peppers in re usable grocery bags ( 5 to 7 gallon ). They did fine as they produced just on flush of peppers in my then PNW climate.

I have grown two plants in 6 gallon bags, this year I am using 5 gallon and most will have two plants. At the end of the season the vines average 15-20 feet Piece of cake if you keep them watered.
The plants at the right side of the pic are two plants in a 6 gallon.

RGGS?
 

What is RGGS? I so need to learn so much!::)




[QUOTE=Gerardo;619536]The RGGS will keep the moisture consistent, and if you're able to feed them adequately with liquid nutes and/or slow release granules, plus Cal-Mag (via liquid or dol-lime), you can get away with the 3 gallon bags. Give it a shot, worst case scenario you get smaller tomatoes that have more intense flavor.

Compact plants, such as Bushy Chabarovsky or other bushy determinates, any from the dwarf project, lots to choose from.

I've grown "larger" indeterminates in as little as 4 gallons and they do just fine, the RGGS helps you get away with smaller volumes.

Some of the larger plants, and even some of the dwarfs have gone full kratky, bursting through the bag, through the net cup and doing a Rapunzel impression in the tube.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=2gengh;619989]What is RGGS? I so need to learn so much!::)[/QUOTE]



Rain Gutter Grow System