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Post by bagpuss on Jan 7, 2017 15:28:35 GMT
I was lucky enough to receive two sets of these for Christmas and I am really looking forward to trying them this year, particularly for growing tomatoes www.tomatogrowing.co.uk/html/quadgrow-planter.html. I did get quite a good crop of tomatoes last year, although I did have a number which split. I always struggle to get the watering and feeding right (although last year I mulched the surface of each pot with chopped comfrey, which surprisingly didn't pong as I thought it might!), and I think I recall Rosefriend mentioning that watering from the bottom was more beneficial.
It will be interesting to see if they help to improve the crop. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 7, 2017 16:04:37 GMT
I was lucky enough to receive two sets of these for Christmas and I am really looking forward to trying them this year, particularly for growing tomatoes www.tomatogrowing.co.uk/html/quadgrow-planter.html. I did get quite a good crop of tomatoes last year, although I did have a number which split. I always struggle to get the watering and feeding right (although last year I mulched the surface of each pot with chopped comfrey, which surprisingly didn't pong as I thought it might!), and I think I recall Rosefriend mentioning that watering from the bottom was more beneficial.
It will be interesting to see if they help to improve the crop. With tomatoes one of the most important things is regular watering - not only the time but the amount. As you know it doesn't help to give them a weeks worth in water and then for the rest of the week nothing... If you have them in a GH and water through a separate pot in the ground that is a good indicator as to how much you are watering... I seem to remember this planter system being tested in Beechgrove - can anyone else remember Tig, Ladygardener ?? I think it would work well bagpuss. I always mulch the top of my tomato and peppers tubs, helps against water loss and weeds. I only have my toms in tubs so that I have to water from the top but mulch is very helpful. Are you going to have them on the allotment?? |
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Post by bagpuss on Jan 7, 2017 16:22:57 GMT
Hi Rosefriend, I'm planning to have them at home, using at least one set in the `walk in' plastic grow house. I am also hoping to grow a small amount of veg at home too, as well as on the plot. I will be trying salad potatoes (charlotte) in bags, and also some beans, particularly runners as I found this year that they were very quick to go tough. Perhaps a silly question, but do you think I could use one of the sets to grow cauliflower (ie one plant per pot), or would the plants be too big for something like that? Just thinking of the watering of the plants? |
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Post by Tig on Jan 7, 2017 16:29:35 GMT
Yes, I think Jim reviewed them on Beechgrove, well recalled RF!
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 7, 2017 17:23:36 GMT
Hi Rosefriend, I'm planning to have them at home, using at least one set in the `walk in' plastic grow house. I am also hoping to grow a small amount of veg at home too, as well as on the plot. I will be trying salad potatoes (charlotte) in bags, and also some beans, particularly runners as I found this year that they were very quick to go tough. Perhaps a silly question, but do you think I could use one of the sets to grow cauliflower (ie one plant per pot), or would the plants be too big for something like that? Just thinking of the watering of the plants? Think you might have to google on this bagpuss,...if I remember Cauli's need a big pot and hate wet roots - in that sense this system could well work well... I am interested to see and hear what happens !! |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 8, 2017 7:39:55 GMT
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Post by bagpuss on Jan 8, 2017 11:21:02 GMT
Rosefriend, Ladygardener, thank you for your comments etc. I've had a quick google, and it seems it is possible to grow cauliflowers in containers, so I think I may well give it a go in the planters. I will endeavour to post updates on this thread. Thank you for popping in and Happy gardening!
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Post by Ron on Jan 9, 2017 13:57:50 GMT
I'm glad I looked in on this thread (thank you, bagpuss), as I've never grown tomatoes before and the Quadgrow should be a big help. Rather than going for seeds I've ordered plants, they're cheap enough and as I only want 4 plants it's less wasteful. I've gone for heirloom, Black Krim, Sungold, Caro Rich and Aunt Ruby's German Green. |
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Post by Ron on Jan 11, 2017 9:15:38 GMT
That was very quick, arrived 2 days after ordering. Looks good. Have to go in at an angle though as it's 3" longer than the greenhouse width! (4'3").
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Post by andy on Jan 11, 2017 9:41:51 GMT
Has anyone tried an ameteur/DIY hydroponics unit for Toms? All you'd need is a waterproof tray/trough, a resevoir and a small aquarium/pond pump.
Might have a think about that one
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Post by bagpuss on Jan 11, 2017 15:15:35 GMT
andy, I've not tried anything like that before. It sounds interesting, though don't know that I would have the room to try myself. Ron, I hadn't realised that you had ordered a set too!! They do look well made and the pots are a good size too. Mum gave me a tip for the capillary wicks. When she has needed to deal with her own capillary matting after using, she just pops it in the washing machine (I would think on a delicates cycle). She does the same thing with the mesh from the micro-mesh tunnels too. The only non-clothes items I use my washing machine for are when I have been using a roller for painting emulsion at home!
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Post by Ron on Jan 12, 2017 6:40:16 GMT
I hadn't realised that you had ordered a set too!! It does seem sturdy, bagpuss, and quality too. Can't see any reason why it shouldn't work as promised. Might have a think about that one I did look into it, andy, for potatoes, but didn't in the end. Be interested to see how it goes if you decide to do it though. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 12, 2017 6:43:39 GMT
I was my little mat that sits at the front door in the machine bagpuss, good idea about the capillary matting. |
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 25, 2017 7:59:11 GMT
Had a look and it does seem a good way for when you are away.
One can use old felt underlay as a wet capillary mat. The stuff you used to use under the carpet. Mind you the new stuff is recycled all sorts and does not work as well as the old stuff.
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 27, 2017 13:39:48 GMT
Last year I bought some capillary matting ( spongy stuff ) to put into seed trays but with no holes in them, and they were a godsend. I put several little pots into them after adding a good bit of water and it really helped cut down on the amount of watering I needed to do.
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Post by Ron on Jan 29, 2017 14:09:00 GMT
I've ordered a set of 8 of the capilliary mats that soak up the water. Going to try and set something DIY up for my potatoes in bags using these and a pot of water.
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Post by bagpuss on Aug 19, 2017 9:12:21 GMT
Ron, how are you finding the quadgrow planters are working for you? I have 6 tomatoes and 2 cucumbers in mine and the plants are amazing. I've had so many flowers on the plants and getting really tasty results. Very pleased I have them.
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Post by Ron on Aug 20, 2017 6:42:08 GMT
Ron , how are you finding the quadgrow planters are working for you? I have 6 tomatoes and 2 cucumbers in mine and the plants are amazing. I've had so many flowers on the plants and getting really tasty results. Very pleased I have them. Had 3 large cucs so far and there are quite a few toms developing. Looking good so far. |
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This is a different video from Beechgrove where Jim says he has the system at home. 
