I humbly accept the honors. Here is my upsided down project for the summer.
What Makes You A Gardener?
Up to my old tricks....Actually that was a pix of my invisable pumpkins. This is of my Topsy
Turvey project.
Wow! What are you feeding those Pumpkins:-)
I've heard of that tomatoe system. Looks like it works.
Hi Doc - looks like you are getting some excellent growth on those plants. A curiousity of mine regarding these planters is whether or not the restricted root growth adversely affects the plants. Or are you using the smaller determinate varieties of tomatoes?
They look good Doc. Do you get less rotting?
I am using a mix of standard named plants in all cases. The medium needs to be one that holds as much water as is reasonably possible. Still they ask for water daily. I have no difficulty what so ever as of this hour.
Excellent - I'll pass this info on to the inquiring minds!
I found that the topsy-turvy things dried out too fast.
Dave.............I can not relate to your question because in my whole life I have not experienced any rotting of the roots, plant or fruit.
I had underground irrigation for years. I think if I continue Topsy Turvey I shall rig up a drip system on a timer. Nearly all my potted plants require daily watering. I was close to setting it up this year but wanted to see what various water holding mediums or medium elements would do. Thus far I think I have found out that a drip system sure would be nice to have in place. I likely have everything but the inexpensive emiters in my underground system parts box.
Doc - I, too, wondered about rotting - specifically to the stem, with excess water flowing out the bottom onto & up the stem.
I thought these would be a great way to grow tomatoes if one had no available ground space for gardening. My main concern was enough soil for the root system, but that would not be an issue with some of the smaller varieties that are now commonly available.
Please keep us posted on volume of fruit.
Doc, I've had tomatoes rot(go soft) where they made contact with the ground. Thanks for responding, though.
I grew up by a farm that grew acres and acres for Campbell Soup and a catsup company. All these were on the ground as compaired to staked. Likely half of these matured on the ground or ground litter. Sure there was occasionally one that rotted. Likewise once in awhile one rotted after an insect bite or critter taking a bite. These events I consider normal. I responded with the event of disease causing massive rot being the question. That would most likely be a fungi attack or breakdown in plant, stem or fruit. This kind of rot I have no experience observing.
As to water running down the stems note that most of the crotches or limb and stem points that can trap and hold water are in position to drop that water when upside down. Likely the most interesting is the fact that there is no micro environment that stays in high humidity long because the whole plant is in the air circulation up off the ground.
The plant is forever trying to turn and grow up. In this case water drops off the vine at the bottom of a partial u-turn. Because of the closeness of these three an arm that can get a hold on it's neighbor will complete the turn and head for the top of the tripod. I've just let them go as they will because this is a gimic growing anyway....in my mind. I am likely to end up with a ball of plants up over and back down as fruit form. I may tie off limbs to encourage this. Other than parting touching vines or a snip off here or there I will do nothing but let this event happen.
Going back to the start my medium was home made consisting of my own really good garden soil, compost, coir, some peat, water crystals, organic fertilizer, trace minerals and vermiculite. I have a good medium, good drainage, and lots of natural biology including worms working in those slieves. I use no man made fertilizers. They get a sip of weak tea weekly both into the medium and sprayed all over the leaves and whole plants. All patio plantings get the same care except one pot that likes a more acid approach. I've pretty much done things like this or nearly like this for more than fifty years. I believe we have healthy soil and healthy plant working here.
I'm so glad I'm not a gardener. You guys are whackos! (snort)
Yes indeed we are! 'aint it great?
You know you're a gardener when you walk into Starbucks for your daily coffee and instead of the baristas making your usual drink they start getting your used coffee grounds ready.
Lucky you!
Well said, Schickenlady!
aaaaawwwwwww Sherrie
Thanks for the info, doc.
When I'm at the doctor's for back spasms and the first thing she asks is "have you been gardening again?"
When my wife has my dirty hand mark on her butt...
Ha ha! Victor!
Victor!
LOL!
hmmm... We know Victor wears gloves....
Not nice Dave :-)
Does she also have ants in her pants :-)
Oh, My! Victor!
Poor Sherrie.....no fun when that happens!!
Victor, I hope you do that when she gets home and not going out to work!!!!!
Hee hee.
He better have a good dog house too. There might be a scant dinner too. Harr Har