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Growbags in Greenhouse

• Message 1. 

  Posted by madeleineR (U14451255) on Thursday, 28th April 2011

  Hello All
  
  I have decided to use growbags for my tomatoes, cucs and peppers in the greenhouse. This is becasue it will save me having to replace the topsoil in years to come and seeing as I can never make enough compost, the contents from the gbags can be scattered and dug into my flowerbeds after harvest to improve soil structure there for the following year.
  
  As some of you will know from my various other postings, this is my first year of using a greenhouse and also of using growbags. This means that unfortunately I have questions aplenty! Please can you help me out with the following:
  
  1. Some bags are only about 2" deep soilwise and cost about £2.00 per bag and others about 4" (£5.00) Which is preferable to use and why?
  
  2. Do I need to puncture the undersides for drainage before positioning and planting? (instructions on some bags I looked at made no mention of this and yet I am sure I have read somewhere that it is necessary)
  
  3. How many plants per bag - they mark three squares to be cut out but I have read that two plants only should be therein.
  
  4. Is it better to plant direct into bags or do tomatoes etc do better in a pot sitting in the bag?
  
  ANy other tips on this subject e.g. staking, watering, feeding etc will be gratefully received.
  
  Many thanks
  
  madeleine
  
  
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by aldaniti (U14803108) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Bigger bags are better as the plant can produce more roots = less watering & healthier plants, although you do have to weigh up the cost of the larger bag though, you can also plant them up on the bags side as opposed to lying flat,
  
  Look closely at the bag you may find that most have dranaige holes already, they may only be tiny slits,
  
  Two idealy for smaller bags & 3 for larger ones,
  
  If you are using small bags then yes try geting hold of bottomless pots, I use ones that you can fill with water so it stops the plants dying out too quickly in hot weather, I paid about a £10 for three pots last weekend & you reuse them year after year
  
  Hope that helps
  
  Helen

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by aldaniti (U14803108) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Forgot to mention it is hard to stake grow bags & by the time you pay out for frames etc its sometimes works out better to buy large pots & decant growbag conents into them, that way you can then use normal cheap canes as stakes,
  
  Or to be a real cheapskate & this is what I do a lot!
  
  cut a growbag in half & stand them up so you have two "pots" with compost already in them! give them a good shake & knock on the floor & they should stand upright so canes can be put in them
  
  Helen

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by pastmemories (U2437829) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  If you are going to make drainage slits, cut them above ground level by about two inches. That way you will have drainage, but also retain a reservoir at the bottom.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Cut the bottom off those big green flower pots and sit three of those on the soil, feed into the pot and water into the grobag. Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by andy2728 (U14260904) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  I really dislike growbags, i tip the contents into pot.However, i saw some interesting ones in "focus" the other day, square ones.Approx one square foot, perfect for one plant, at £1.49 each, can work out slightly more expensive, but worth a shot maybe.
  Personally i will stick to the cheapest growbags (do the job) and my pots .

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by madeleineR (U14451255) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Thanks Helen.
  
  Seems there are several ways to go about growing them. Understand the stake problem. Was going to grow gardeners delight which apparently dont need suppports but would also like to try others for variety.
  
  Perhaps cutting a growbag in half as you say and standing them (the two halves) in a growbag too might be good so they have added drainage, room for staking and waterholding capacity.
  
  Either way, will have fun experimenting!
  
  Thanks
  
  

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by madeleineR (U14451255) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Me sees another piece of sound advice.
  
  Thank you

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Flatt1e (U3998679) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  My local garden centre does 4 bags of 60 litre general purpose compo for £12.This seems to me a better deal than the lightweight growbags for £2.Mark out three positions for Toms or similiar greenhouse produce if using horizontal or cut the bag in two for as somebody has already suggested for an even bulkier mix .It does state that sufficient nutrients therein for 6 weeks of growth.Additional liquid feed by watering can thereafter.
  
  Worth a try possibly ?

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by madeleineR (U14451255) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  Thanks Tony and Andy
  
  Yes I can see where you are both coming from. Growbags can look a bit untidy and pots poss are more sturdy. Interesting that you transfer the soil of gbs into pots and then of course can be free to stake as and when necessary.
  
  I saw those cubes in focus the other day and I thought they looked a bit too compacted but then once opened the air reduces that.
  
  Now to decide how and when to plant!
  
  madeleine

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by madeleineR (U14451255) on Friday, 29th April 2011

  My local garden centre does 4 bags of 60 litre general purpose compo for £12.This seems to me a better deal than the lightweight growbags for £2.Mark out three positions for Toms or similiar greenhouse produce if using horizontal or cut the bag in two for as somebody has already suggested for an even bulkier mix .It does state that sufficient nutrients therein for 6 weeks of growth.Additional liquid feed by watering can thereafter.
  
  Worth a try possibly ?  Yes another possibility. Dont know if the growbag compost is particularly geared nutrient-wise for tomatoes etc but then I believe it is usual to add tomato liquid fertiliser as well anyway.
  
  Thanks

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