growing tomatoes in pots upside down

Grow Upside Down Tomatoes – Problems I Have Encountered!

Grow Upside Down Tomatoes

Have you attempted to grow upside down tomatoes? Many of us have seen the infomercials on television and have wondered if it was possible. Many of us have done it successfully while others have failed. This article is about problems I have encountered and what I did to overcome them.

I have spoken to a few friends who made an attempt to grow upside down tomatoes but either failed, or were struggling with it. My first attempt at it was a disaster, when trying to transplant my seedling according to the instructions all the potting soil fell away from the roots, which was the beginning of the end of my first attempt.

Of course my big hands were very little help working in the container bag. Trying to put the slotted sponge around the tomato plant did not help matters, as the plant went into shock and never recovered. Most of the friends I have talked to have had similar experiences, so I decided to change my tactics.

Growing Tomatoes

I like starting from seed, it just makes me feel more in control of how my tomato plants turn out. I then transplant them into a container that is at least six inches across the top, because it will fit inside the upside down bag and allow the plant to reach a descent size. If you buy your seedlings, try getting a smaller sized one for the next step.

Let your seedling adjust to its new container for a few days, but don’t let it get to big because it has to fit through that three inch hole in the topsy turvy, or whatever upside down container you will be using. That is why the seedling needs to be small, so before the branches get too large, fit the container Bag over the seedling and container, fitting the leaves and branches through the hole.

Let your tomato plant grow this way for awhile, watering and feeding it through that three inch hole. If you turn your plant upside down to early it will make a u-turn and grow up into the bag. The bigger it gets the more it will weigh and gravity will help to keep it upside down.

But do not leave it too long as your container is not that large. Before you turn your plant upside down do not forget to insert the slotted sponge in the hole and around the plant. Now you are ready to turn your plant upside down, and there should not be very much stress on the plant because it is already in the bag.

When you are ready turn your plant over, partially fill the bag to hold the root ball in place then remove the smaller container. Now fill the container bag with good potting soil according to the instructions that came with it. Water it slowly like the instruction says. You now have the conversation piece your friends will be talking about.

About the Author

Barry Rice has been a tomato growing enthusiast for many years. For more great information on how to grow upside down tomatoes, visit: http://www.growingtomatoescenter.com

Oxheart Tomato Plant Questions?!?

Today 6/6/09 picked up some FREE oxheart tomato plants approx 3 inches tall. We live in an apartment complex, patio has good lighting. We want to pot the plants tomorrow, and have some basic questions.

1) potting soil is better than soil from the ground. Lighter in texture, fewer pathogens.

2) as big as you can manage. 2′ by 2′ deep would be good. You could get away with a little smaller, though.

3) Use some fertilizer – unless the potting soil you buy already has fertilizer in it.

4) either way is fine.

5) I would put one per pot. They will get big.

6) You’ll need a stake, pole, or cage. Large tomato plants don’t hold themselves up on their own – especially when they are heavy with big tomatoes.

2010 Container & Upside Down Garden, Growing Herbs, Peppers, Tomatoes & Cucumbers – Update 4

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