Curiosity getting the better of me, I decided to try growing an upside down tomato plant, and being frugal, I made a planter out of a five gallon bucket It isn't as fancy, but why spend $20 if you have the parts?.

It has been outside for two weeks now, and is getting stronger, but there is one thing that I noticed; The main stem/stalk/trunk of the plant has started growing up, and I am assuming that after it sets fruit and they begin to grow, the stalk will grow downwards.

Which leads me to this thought/questions:
If the stalk is growing up, even though it is facing down, are the roots growing down, even though they are facing up??? Sounds almost like a paradox.

Would this add stress to the plant?

I also decided to put it up on an old pool deck, so if it starts to really grow I'll have enough support to just drape, and tie it around the deck.

As an ongoing project I'll update on an irregular schedule, maybe every two weeks.

Subject is a "Better Boy" started 042809........KUXJ

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binx44

ive got to say i'm glad someone has finally wondered about this on the forums. i've seen it on tv and i really was wondering. mind you i've also seen tomato plants advertised on tv that grow to be 7 or 8 feet in height and supposabally (spelling?) yeild twice the ammount of tomatoes..

Please let me know if they end up growing down like they do on tv

KUXJ

I have also seen those ads, and the one thing I've noticed was the ground was well prepared for planting.
As with the Upside down Tomato (UDT) ads, I suspect they give the plant the same treatment. The ad men won't show scrawny fruit or plants...That's show bizzzz!

I could of done the same with my UDT, but opted for regular yard dirt, the only other amendment was a watering with miracle grow.

You betcha!
To be realistic , I really think they will, you get a few of those 8 to 12oz more? fruits on there, and she's gotta go down!

Let's see....the 4th of July is on a Saturday this year, so look for a post every Friday, and we'll see if there are ripe Toms by the Fourth.
That's pushin' it with 67 days, but it might happen.
And that's okay, I like green fried too....KUXJ

Just Dahlia

I spent the 20 bucks 3 years ago.
My first year was un-successful, but I think it wasn't in a great area. Since the weight on the whole thing was amazing I didn't know where to put it.

The second year I moved it and only put cherry tomatoes in it, which grew just fine for a while, but then... I believe didn't get enough sun because of a large Pompas (?) grass I had growing.

This year it's 3 strikes your out! I moved it again and made a make shift holder on my fence in a very sunny location with a drip system in it next to the rest of my tomatoes and it seems to be doing very well so far. Growing up. It only has about 3 feet to hit the ground, so I'm not sure what to do after it starts producing.

I attempted to put a picture, but it was too big, I will try again tomorrow and keep updating.

Looking forward to other updates.

Just Dahlia

Just Dahlia

Sorry, too many pics just checking

KUXJ

Hello again Everyone!

This weeks edition of UDT includes a pix of subject, some particulars, and a contest See Below .

First the particulars:
Subject is a "Better Boy" started 042809
Plant has grown 2.5" since last post on 051209 for a total of 17.2"
Purchased at a local ACE Hrdw.Store Bonnie Plants Nursery
Container Homemade
Maturity 70-75days...So 4th of July will be a stretch
Large fruit size Up to 16ozs
Please disregard Date Stamp on Pix, It was only put there to confuse me.

Now for the contest:
If you look closely, you may be able to see two sets of flower stems.

I will offer the first ripe tomato to the first poster to successfully pick out any one of the two locations.
Answers have been verified by my neighbor, hermetically sealed in an old Bearnaise jar, and kept in an old milk-box by my trash cans since noon yesterday.

Please PM me with shipping address.

!!Offer void where prohibited!!

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Just Dahlia

I SEE them and they look beautiful, I'm going to check mine right now.
I believe that my label has blow away and I can't remember what is in it.
I do know that I would not have put a beefsteak in there, so I think it is a Better Boy also. My Early Girl is in the ground.

Just Dahlia

I didn't plan on getting so detailed, but by my calculations...
Planted on May 2nd (bought at Lowes)

It may be a San Francisco Fog or a Better Boy. I experiment with different ones every year, but since it's in the upside down thing there was no dirt to bury the tag.
[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Second pic I have flowers!! We are going to be in the 101-105' this weekend, so I will have to keep watch.

The flowers are in the middle (kind of) if you can't see them) they are yellow! ha ha

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KUXJ

WEEEEEEE HAVE A WINNNNNER!!!!!!

As Grand Prize winner your Tomato will be flown All Expenses Paid to your location Via Rickenbacker Refrigerated Air Freight ~~~~~"Need Freight by Eight? Fly Rickenbacker!"


Just to be clear....You have a tomato in your area called the S.F. Fog??

I had to double check the NWS, couldn't believe your area will be that !!!HHHOTTT!!! this weekend, that's what we need here for our tomatoes in Cen. Pa. Lat N40' 21''.
So far since Easter there's been 10days in 80's...2days in 90's, mostly 60-70's Lows 40's

I saw them right away! Very Nice! I'm envious, wish we had your climate.

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