OK I guess I am ready to give the tomatoes another try now that I have Epsom salt. I am thinking of planting them in container this time to have more control over the soil type and condition. I have two types of container in mind. Horizontal ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) This was one of the containers from my retired aquaponics. The capacity is about 20 liters or 5 US gallons. Vertical ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) This one is vertical and is the same capacity as the horizontal type. I am thinking of the horizontal container because of the wider opening but the depth is shallow. I have no idea whether either of the container is suitable or not. For the soil I guess I will have to go shopping for potting soil even though I am not happy to so but I have no other choice. I am thinking of planting just two plants of the cherry tomato type. If the container is not suitable then I'll have to plant them in the ground. Please comment.
KK, I plant in both. Don't worry about it. If you don't have drainage holes yet....make them a couple inches up the side from the bottom, not directly in the bottom. that way there is a little reservoir of water for the roots instead of it draining right out. For the potting mix (and yes, you must use potting mix) you can mix it with compost if you have any, yet. Are there any farms there? Stupid question, I know. But I have no idea of your countries agricultural practices. can you get any manure from a farm? if it is too fresh make compost out of it. otherwise you can add that to the mix too.
Good luck KK. Your headed in the right direction. In the blue container I would lay the plant sideways to plant. This will allow for more root system. In the white container I would plant as deep as possiable, again for more roots to grow.
Thanks for the feedback Carolyn, drain holes at the side is a great idea. Yes we can get goat's dropping or chicken dung. I have compost and processed chicken dung so I'll make use of them plus potting mix if I can get them. I'm going to do some shopping for the potting mix today. About the Epsom salt ... err how do I use it? Do I just mix it into the planting media or should I add it to water and water the plant as they grow? Thanks Donna S, I'll go with the blue container since I have more of that container.
To use the Epsom salts just get your plant in the pot, then work about 2 TBSP into the top of the planting mix. Put it about 4 to 6 inches away from the seedling, then water as usual. I would add the Epsom salts a couple of weeks after you get it potted. That will give the roots a chance to settle and start to grow. You can even put the Epsom salts in a sprayer with water and do a foliar feeding. But mixing with the soil is easier.
Mart I'll do that, thanks a lot. Thanks Green Fingers. I have decided against planting the avocado after doing lots of research about it. Planting from seed will take a long time before it fruit, about 5~20 years. When and if it does fruit, the fruit is likely to be inferior to the fruit from which I obtained the seed from.
