New to gardening - Pot size

[thecooperhouse]

I got a couple starter plants from Lowes. I got cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. Is there a minimum pot size for these? The ones I have isn't too big but they seem to be growing ok.

[CW&M Mom]

My guess is the cucumber would need the biggest pot. The other two will grow taller quite well while the cucumber typically grows across.

Do you have tomato cages?

[TiggerToo]

I agree with CW&M. Cucumbers are usually viney plants that love to branch out. My peppers usually are very small and never get to large. The tomatoes usually vary.

[ari'smom]

Cucumbers do need to spread out. However that doesn't necessarily mean they need to grow in a pot or on dirt. I had raised beds and the cucumbers were on the edges. They literally climbed out of the beds and spread out on the lawn around the beds lol. And whenever it was time to mow we just lifted them up, mowed the grass, and put them back down. They have little tendrils that like to grab onto things, but I don't think that's a necessity to have. Just have somewhere they can go outside of the pot and you should be fine.

I would give the tomatoes the biggest pots since they grow the largest and and need the most stability and room for the roots. A five gallon bucket is a good size for a tomato plant so if you're going to use actual pots, plan on something about that size so that it can grow as big as it needs to. There is lots on the web about container gardening and how to set it up so that you're not going crazy watering it. Containers are tough because the water dries up more quickly than plants in the ground, so they need to be watered every day, sometimes more depending on your climate and the weather.

[CW&M Mom]

You could (for the cucumbers) put a bale of straw next to the pot for them to grow on.

[thecooperhouse]

Thank you everyone for all the advice!! I should probably repot the tomato for sure. Its ok right now. I can tell the need watered more, but it beats weeding or dealing with my landlord (don't get me started on that one...) My cucumbers are starting to grow outside the pot and onto the ground. I'm just worried if there is enough soil to support all the roots? I'm having issues with my bell peppers. They aren't looking very well. Any suggestions?

[CW&M Mom]

I don't remember the cucumbers really having that deep of roots. As long as they have something decent to continue to grow on they should be okay.

I found our peppers didn't do well until August. Too much water before so when it dried out and I thought they were a gonner....they finally started doing well.

Oh also for sure on the tomatoes and the peppers be sure to not get water on the leaves. Water directly at the dirt...they tend to get brown spots on there leaves or even will wilt when they get water on them.

[thecooperhouse]

Maybe thats the problem - I have been watering over the top of the plant. My watering can has a big showering end, I need to get one with a smaller spout so I can get it in the dirt.

[Nascar88]

I plant my tomatos in 5 gallon buckets and they do very well.....

[ari'smom]

With my tomato plant I cut the bottom off of a gallon milk jug, drilled a small hole in the cap, and inserted the top into the soil. That way I could pour the water into the jug and the water would go directly to the roots. Water it in first and you will have a slow drip all day long to keep the plant hydrated during the day. Tomatoes get stressed very easily so it is good to keep them well watered.

But on the not letting water touch the leaves, I think that is only if you have them planted in the ground. If you're using potting soil it is probably clean and free of bacteria so there is not as much danger of catching tomato blight. Which was why I moved my tomatoes from my then raised bed garden to pots on the patio - there was just no way of avoiding it since the rain would come and splash splash splash. It can help though, they say, to trim the leaves that are close to the ground or put down some kind of food compatible mulch. It didn't help mine but we have tons of rain where I live and the last year I tried, everyone I knew lost their tomatoes. Talk about depressing.

PS - I like the bale of straw idea, CW&M mom. That sounds perfect!