Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?
Thanks in advance
Clive

il 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive ha scritto:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?
Thanks in advance
Clive

Can't you hop on a chunnel train and pick some up? You would need to
add tomato fertilizer to compost to add the extra nutrients needed by
tomatoes. Just compare the NPK ratio and micro nutrients added to see
what the difference is between tomato mix and garden mix.
--
Cheers,
Loki [ Brevity is the soul of wit. W.Shakespeare ]

il 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive ha scritto:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?
Thanks in advance
Clive

Can't you hop on a chunnel train and pick some up? You would need to
add tomato fertilizer to compost to add the extra nutrients needed by
tomatoes. Just compare the NPK ratio and micro nutrients added to see
what the difference is between tomato mix and garden mix.
--
Cheers,
Loki [ Brevity is the soul of wit. W.Shakespeare ]

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

The biggest problem I see is that if the bag get direct, all day
sun, the roots might get too hot.

Penelope



--
"Maybe you'd like to ask the Wizard for a heart."
"ElissaAnn"

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?

Sure, lots of people do this. My guess would be that the
compost would supply everything the plants need - I have
often planted directly in spent-mushroom-soil (mushroom
compost, that is) and everything thrives (except carrots -
it's got too much nitrogen for carrots, I believe).

But I don't know about tomatoes: they're awfully big plants
and maybe there wouldn't be enough depth for the roots.

OTOH, maybe they don't get nearly as big in the UK as they
do here b/c of your cooler summers.

If I were doing it, and wanted specifically tomatoes, I'd
try to get a smaller variety, Patio Hybrid for instance.

Pat

On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 12:37:34 GMT, Frogleg wrote:

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

I have grown tomatoes UPSIDE DOWN in a 5 gallon bucket. It works
great on a balcony, as long as you can reach them to pick them. My
balcony is on the second floor, so the plants hung almost to the
ground. One can also lift the bucket up, but it is rather heavy with
a full grown plant. This is not a lot of soil, but works fine if one
uses a good plant food regularly. Get a cheap version of miracle grow
type stuff, which is almost like a hydroponic liquid.
simply cut a hole in the bottom of the buckt (about 1-2 in- 2-5 cm) in
diameter and place the tomato plant roots first through the hole with
the top two sets of leaves sticking sticking out the bottom. Place as
much of the stem inside the bucket as possible as roots will form all
along the stem. Stuff something soft around the plant to hold it in
place and keep the soil in. I used some of my wife's old stockings.
fill the bucket 3/4 full of good soil, potting soil should work fine.
Hang the bucket from the balcony rail with tomato plant pointing down.
As the plant gets big, it will use a lot of water, so check 2x/day. I
got a ton of tomatos this way, and didn't lose any balcony space.

Here is a web site I found that has much the same idea.

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/39tip5.html

HTH

-Rick

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?

Sure, lots of people do this. My guess would be that the
compost would supply everything the plants need - I have
often planted directly in spent-mushroom-soil (mushroom
compost, that is) and everything thrives (except carrots -
it's got too much nitrogen for carrots, I believe).

But I don't know about tomatoes: they're awfully big plants
and maybe there wouldn't be enough depth for the roots.

OTOH, maybe they don't get nearly as big in the UK as they
do here b/c of your cooler summers.

If I were doing it, and wanted specifically tomatoes, I'd
try to get a smaller variety, Patio Hybrid for instance.

Pat

On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 12:37:34 GMT, Frogleg wrote:

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

I have grown tomatoes UPSIDE DOWN in a 5 gallon bucket. It works
great on a balcony, as long as you can reach them to pick them. My
balcony is on the second floor, so the plants hung almost to the
ground. One can also lift the bucket up, but it is rather heavy with
a full grown plant. This is not a lot of soil, but works fine if one
uses a good plant food regularly. Get a cheap version of miracle grow
type stuff, which is almost like a hydroponic liquid.
simply cut a hole in the bottom of the buckt (about 1-2 in- 2-5 cm) in
diameter and place the tomato plant roots first through the hole with
the top two sets of leaves sticking sticking out the bottom. Place as
much of the stem inside the bucket as possible as roots will form all
along the stem. Stuff something soft around the plant to hold it in
place and keep the soil in. I used some of my wife's old stockings.
fill the bucket 3/4 full of good soil, potting soil should work fine.
Hang the bucket from the balcony rail with tomato plant pointing down.
As the plant gets big, it will use a lot of water, so check 2x/day. I
got a ton of tomatos this way, and didn't lose any balcony space.

Here is a web site I found that has much the same idea.

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/39tip5.html

HTH

-Rick

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in France. I
want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow them in? Would a
bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or should I add something to
the compost?

Sure, lots of people do this. My guess would be that the
compost would supply everything the plants need - I have
often planted directly in spent-mushroom-soil (mushroom
compost, that is) and everything thrives (except carrots -
it's got too much nitrogen for carrots, I believe).

But I don't know about tomatoes: they're awfully big plants
and maybe there wouldn't be enough depth for the roots.

OTOH, maybe they don't get nearly as big in the UK as they
do here b/c of your cooler summers.

If I were doing it, and wanted specifically tomatoes, I'd
try to get a smaller variety, Patio Hybrid for instance.

Pat

On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 12:37:34 GMT, Frogleg wrote:

On 03 Apr 2004 07:17:52 GMT, Holka smyslna@holkaDOTnospamDOTnet
wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle wrote

On 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive
wrote:

Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things some
years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?

What's wrong with regular potting soil and a pot?

That sounds like the logical thing to do - would it require large pots -
what diameter would be good?

As large as you can manage. Even 'patio' tomatoes produce a lot of
foliage and roots -- wide, 'though not particularly deep -- so you
need both space for roots and weight for stability. Don't forget some
sort of support system for the plant. And don't fill your pots with
all compost. You need soil and nutrients, and compost is a soil
conditioner, not a fertilizer. A good 'potting soil' has a mix of dirt
and compost or conditioners. Some now include fertilizer, too.

I have grown tomatoes UPSIDE DOWN in a 5 gallon bucket. It works
great on a balcony, as long as you can reach them to pick them. My
balcony is on the second floor, so the plants hung almost to the
ground. One can also lift the bucket up, but it is rather heavy with
a full grown plant. This is not a lot of soil, but works fine if one
uses a good plant food regularly. Get a cheap version of miracle grow
type stuff, which is almost like a hydroponic liquid.
simply cut a hole in the bottom of the buckt (about 1-2 in- 2-5 cm) in
diameter and place the tomato plant roots first through the hole with
the top two sets of leaves sticking sticking out the bottom. Place as
much of the stem inside the bucket as possible as roots will form all
along the stem. Stuff something soft around the plant to hold it in
place and keep the soil in. I used some of my wife's old stockings.
fill the bucket 3/4 full of good soil, potting soil should work fine.
Hang the bucket from the balcony rail with tomato plant pointing down.
As the plant gets big, it will use a lot of water, so check 2x/day. I
got a ton of tomatos this way, and didn't lose any balcony space.

Here is a web site I found that has much the same idea.

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/39tip5.html

HTH

-Rick

"Loki" wrote in
:

il 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive ha scritto:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things
some years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?
Thanks in advance
Clive

Can't you hop on a chunnel train and pick some up? You would need to
add tomato fertilizer to compost to add the extra nutrients needed by
tomatoes. Just compare the NPK ratio and micro nutrients added to see
what the difference is between tomato mix and garden mix.

Well I could but it'd be a 16 hour round trip and an expensive grow bag...
I think I'll take Penelope's advice and grow them in pots.

Thanks for your reply.

Cheers
Clive

"Loki" wrote in
:

il 01 Apr 2004 15:07:03 GMT, clive ha scritto:

Hi,
Does anybody know what's in a gro-bag? I used to see these things
some years ago in the UK but they don't seem to be available here in
France. I want to grow tomatoes on my balcony - what should I grow
them in? Would a bag of compost slit down the back do the trick or
should I add something to the compost?
Thanks in advance
Clive

Can't you hop on a chunnel train and pick some up? You would need to
add tomato fertilizer to compost to add the extra nutrients needed by
tomatoes. Just compare the NPK ratio and micro nutrients added to see
what the difference is between tomato mix and garden mix.

Well I could but it'd be a 16 hour round trip and an expensive grow bag...
I think I'll take Penelope's advice and grow them in pots.

Thanks for your reply.

Cheers
Clive