Upside down tomatoes

Just ordered on the internet...any success stories? Or otherwise?

There were numerous posts last summer re: topsy turvy - I had a very negative experience. I had to pour 3 gallons of water every day- in my opinion it is just a gimmick. Roots are not made to grow upward, and you fight mother nature all the way. If you have to grow a hanging tomato, I say just put it in a hanging planter and let the plant flop down. At least the roots would be happy! Good luck- I would be interested in hearing how you fared.

It will take weeks to get to me ..so look for a response maybe end April...been tempted for ages so worth a try. I have had success with the down under pot so perhaps I have a chance...

I know someone in Oregon who swears by them. They don't work too well here it Colorado where the air is so dry. The person who tried them here said that they were okay for cherry tomatos, but he didn't recommend them for larger tomatos. He echoed JoParrot - tomatos weren't meant to grow upside down and larger heavier tomatos kinked their own stem at the point of attachment.

I am currently growing sideways tomatoes. They appear to be doing well. I have pictures in my blog, feel free to check them out.

I grew tomatoes in big cat litter buckets upside down with thick rubber bungee cords attached to the handles hanging off a makeshift A frame of 2x 4's, the handles on the buckets broke couldn't support the weight. got a few tomatoes, won't do it again that way.

If you do use them, use it for cherry tomatoes or for small medium tomatoes - a bush variety.

I tried growing Oregon Girls in one last year and it was disappointing (a disaster really), but as others have already said, size is probably a big part of the problem.

Mine never grew well at all. I can imagine that I wouldnt do well if hung by my feet all day and all night.

I used cat litter buckets.

But this year I tried something different. I already had the cat litter buckets with lids and a hole in the bottom. So I cut four 4" holes in the 4 sides and bought a couple of salsa bowls (plastic) at the dollar store (for 3 for a dollar.) I cut them in half and inserted them into the holes to make a cup that sticks out of the four sides of the bucket...sort of like a hanging strawberry garden. I have four tomatoes growing in that now and will put a fifth in the top later. I will hang them from the same hooks with a rope pulley so I can lower them and raise them. I need to keep them off the ground at night because the Javalinas love tomato plants!!!

Jim, can you show us a photo? It sounds like a great invention! I'm thinking of modifying my TopsyTurvy container, since I will NEVER do another upside down tomato! It might work for flowers- I would like to see your setup- thanks

Oops, I found it. Here is one picture. I have others but apparently one is all you can attach.

You cut half moon shaped holes in the bucket and then insert the half bowls in from the inside so the lip holds them in place when the soil is added. Simple.

Heres another picture, of the half bowl before insertion.

And another with the thing hanging away from the Javalinas

Cool! Thank you for showing-

What is a javalina?

Javelina= some wild critter!

Wow, I'm going to have to google that one, sounds dangerous.

Well my package just arrived...will keep you posted..

I would germinate the seeds and grow them till they are about 8-10 inches before putting them in the "upside down" container. I did mine sideways hanging off of a flowerbox. They did get a little heavy and sag, but I tied them to their own pot with some cloth and fishing line. This method can be done with large variety tomatoes. Some of the stems are over one inch thick. The plants in these pictures are Burpee's super beefsteak.

Forget the tomatoes, I want a javalina!!

I made and gave away 32 UpSiDe~DoWn ~ToMaToEs last season, and am on my way once again this year. I gathered 'buckets from W*M store #2755' near my home. I cut a hole at the edge on the bottom; Less time to grow UP, more sunshine than Real UPSIDE down..Mine are Out of the side, at the very bottom. They hang from various places, as long as lots of sun present. Mississippi is great place for tomatoes.

Well, my tomatoes are growing fine in the bucket. The one in the center is from a 32 year old seed.

Attached is a picture of the rig.