Pot size

[Moth]

I'm growing some in pots this year. I recall reading 5gal is a recommended minimum size (the site search says "pot" is to small to search for) so asking!

Considering using polythene grow bags, as they're £7 for 10..

1. 15" x 15" (38cm x 38m)
2. 9.6 US Gallons (7.9 Imperial Gallons or 36 litres)

Look OK? They do have a larger size (17"/50l) although unsure if that's overkill?

 

[Charly]

I think this size is really big enough for a standard plant
The real difficulty is to find the right soil to put in the pot.

 

[Moth]

The real difficulty is to find the right soil to put in the pot

I'd assumed standard garden centre compost would be fine for pots. My flowerbeds are chalky / alkaline, and I mix in a healthy amount of compost when planting out.

Tomatoes seem to thrive in both...

What is the right / best soil? Other than well drained and well composted I didn't think tobacco was that fussy.

 

[deluxestogie]

That 9 gallon bag is generous. Given their width, you could just fill them ~3/4 of the way. (I would be inclined to drive a wood tomato stake into the center of each bag, and a foot or more into the ground beneath, so they won't topple over in the wind, once the tobacco is standing tall. ) If you use "standard garden centre compost", their N: P:K values (sodium, phosphate, potasium) are often quite low, which will mean that you need to add fertilizer. Select "low chlorine" fertilizer for veggies. A 10:10:10 preparation should be fine, used at a rate for tomatoes.

Bob

 

[Charly]

I did not grow many tobacco plants in pots so I don't know what soil is good or bad.
All I know is that the plants I grew in pots were really smaller than the ones I grew in full ground.
I know some people here managed to grow big and healthy plants in pots, maybe they can give you better hints than me

 

[deluxestogie]

My (very few) potted plants in quite large pots seemed to be about 2/3 their expected height, with leaves about 2/3 as long.

Bob

 

[LivinInPiperHell]

For what it's worth; I'm growing in 30 liter pots. I'm on a budget so I'm using coco coir/peat bricks for soil. [A brick that makes 10 liters is around $2.50]
I'm a complete novice so time will tell.

Coco coir/peat holds water really well which is good for my conditions where Summers are really hot [today is forecast to be 45*C/113*F]
In milder climates I'd mix in up to 25% perlite for drainage.
In this heat the plants need to be watered at least every other day.
I'm using a tomato fertiliser.

So far they're doing well. I staggered the planting so they don't all ripen at the same time.
My most advanced plants [Burley] are 6' tall & look healthy.