Outdoor Grow 2014

mr sunshine

Well-Known Member
OK. I'll try to make a case for sinking the pot into the ground. If gives each plant access to the soil where water is available in case you miss a day of watering during extreme heat. Those pots won't be adequate in August for just one daily watering(How big? They look like 5 gallon pots?) Look up "Low Stress Training" or LST on methods for keeping your plant low to the ground. Twenty years ago High Times had an article on some Georgia growers who were getting a pound plus off of plants hidden in a tomato field. None more than 30" tall but some 8 feet wide. I practiced it in my garden throughout the 80s and early 90s, with very good results. A small pot won't control size as much as force YOU to feed and water two or three times daily late in the summer. Best of luck!
Last year i buried half the pot in the ground with the bottom cut out....didn't do as good as the.ones in the ground without the pot. The pot would just dry out to fast it would get super hot... Imo more work u gotta keep the pot cool in 112 degree weather it hard!
 

Didi94

Well-Known Member
Last year i buried half the pot in the ground with the bottom cut out....didn't do as good as the.ones in the ground without the pot. The pot would just dry out to fast it would get super hot... Imo more work u gotta keep the pot cool in 112 degree weather it hard!
Do you use smart pots ? how many times a day do you have to water them in this weather ?
 

veggiegardener

Well-Known Member
Last year i buried half the pot in the ground with the bottom cut out....didn't do as good as the.ones in the ground without the pot. The pot would just dry out to fast it would get super hot... Imo more work u gotta keep the pot cool in 112 degree weather it hard!
Keep in mind I suggest a "couple inches". Too deep and the roots have a less attractive environment to grow into. If you're going deeper, lose the pot.
 

mr sunshine

Well-Known Member
Keep in mind I suggest a "couple inches". Too deep and the roots have a less attractive environment to grow into. If you're going deeper, lose the pot.
If it's to hot and you don't bury the pot deep enough the pot dries out to fast in cali it can get close to 115 so Imo if the weather is really bad (as in hot) you have no choice but to go deeper so the pot won't get hit directly and dry out in 25 min..
 

Didi94

Well-Known Member
If it's to hot and you don't bury the pot deep enough the pot dries out to fast in cali it can get close to 115 so Imo if the weather is really bad (as in hot) you have no choice but to go deeper so the pot won't get hit directly and dry out in 25 min..
If you go deeper in the soil I dont see the use of the pot anymore , would be the some if you dig some holes in the ground and fill it with good soil , or am I wrong?
 

veggiegardener

Well-Known Member
Yopu
If you go deeper in the soil I dont see the use of the pot anymore , would be the some if you dig some holes in the ground and fill it with good soil , or am I wrong?
You've expressed a desire to avoid very large plants. My suggestion was intended to gain you a little extra buddage and help insure that a very hot day doesn't cook the roots and kill the plants. Your current set up looks perfect to me. Be sure to soak the soil around the pot at least once. I would NOT transplant into the ground in a eucalyptus forest. The oil in the leaves acts as an growth inhibitor. A couple inches won't be a problem.
 

Didi94

Well-Known Member
Yopu


You've expressed a desire to avoid very large plants. My suggestion was intended to gain you a little extra buddage and help insure that a very hot day doesn't cook the roots and kill the plants. Your current set up looks perfect to me. Be sure to soak the soil around the pot at least once. I would NOT transplant into the ground in a eucalyptus forest. The oil in the leaves acts as an growth inhibitor. A couple inches won't be a problem.
I don't intend to transplant them in the ground , I was just talking in a general , not my case ;)
 

mr sunshine

Well-Known Member
If you go deeper in the soil I dont see the use of the pot anymore , would be the some if you dig some holes in the ground and fill it with good soil , or am I wrong?
Yes you are wrong I tried it many times and in every case the plant in the ground with the pot always needs more attention in some cases it must be shaded and it needs to be watered 3 times a day just so the roots don't boil....The buds are always cheaper and you get way less when you do it the way your saying....u said u don't see the use of the pot anymore as it goes deeper in the ground! What's the pot used for in general I don't understand why you would have a pot when your sticking it in the ground!
 

mr sunshine

Well-Known Member
Do you use smart pots ? how many times a day do you have to water them in this weather ?
No I used regular pots water 2 maybe three times a day....I think we are all talking about different things!!I'm a little confused now Imo if your going to use a pot don't stick it in the ground that's stupid unless your running a hempy with a drip system with fresh water.. that would be sick passive hydro/ soil grow anyway I'm getting off track. ..If your going to stick it in the ground stick it in the ground. ..If you want to use aPot use a Pot but don't do both!!
 

veggiegardener

Well-Known Member
But I have to put pots in the ground or the gophers and heat will murder them ?
A friend has a city of gophers on his and the surrounding properties. He uses 1/2" mesh cage wire in a 3' cube, open on top for each of his 16 plants. Last year he had several 14 footers. His large vegetable garden is lined with the same.

BTW, that avatar looks a LOT like a friend from 50 years ago(sans beard). Are you 65 with initials KS?
 

TWS

Well-Known Member
yea Mwooten uses the same type of cages > I guess gophers only go about two foot deep. I will probably convert one season but never have any size problems. It's all ready hard enough to keep them in my height restrictions. My 15 gallon pots have the bottoms knocked out though.

LOL. No, That's Mick Dodge from the TV show,
 

Didi94

Well-Known Member
No I used regular pots water 2 maybe three times a day....I think we are all talking about different things!!I'm a little confused now Imo if your going to use a pot don't stick it in the ground that's stupid unless your running a hempy with a drip system with fresh water.. that would be sick passive hydro/ soil grow anyway I'm getting off track. ..If your going to stick it in the ground stick it in the ground. ..If you want to use aPot use a Pot but don't do both!!
Lol , dont get confused ! I dont pretend to put them in the ground I'm gonna grow them just like I have done till now ...
 

TWS

Well-Known Member
think you have to have it on the sides more less and the bottom open as long as it's at least 2 ft deep.
 
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