Plastic Tub as a pot (Hole question)

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DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1360182291	Reply with quote #1

This is what I'm going to pot my 2 new trees in. They will eventually be half buried in the ground (BronxFigs suggestion). http://www.lowes.com/pd_115370-84240-TU0159_0__?productId=3396040&Ntt=plastic+tub&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dplastic%2Btub&facetInfo= How many holes should I drill in this for drainage? I was thinking 8 evenly spaced 1" holes on the sides that just touch the bottom. Is that overkill? Should I also have some higher up that will be just above ground level for air exchange? Thanks! James __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1360182511	Reply with quote #2

I have these tubs too. Drill about 20 1/2in. holes at the bottom and another 20 or so around. Good luck

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1360183747	Reply with quote #3

Pros: large and inexpensive Cons: the sun will make them brittle in a few years and will need replacing __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1360186863	Reply with quote #4

I use these as well, so far they have worked well, but only two seasons with them so we will see what happens from now on. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

springlakenj

Registered:1320370452
Posts: 281

Posted 1360186884	Reply with quote #5

Anyone who has used them, any estimate on how many years you can get out of them? If you could get 5 years out of it, seems like it would be a bargain. __________________ John G. Spring Lake Hts, NJ Zone 7A

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1360187097	Reply with quote #6

Cheap and good size. If you are going to bury them, drill hole on the side of the bottom. If you drill them on the bottom, it will be hard to remove them later. I don't bury them. I have four 1" holes on the side and 4 on the bottom for 10 gal. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

TONYSAC

Registered:1337644850
Posts: 1,031

Posted 1360188363	Reply with quote #7

Hey James just put one inside another one and just keep replacing the outside one so the one with the actual tree doesn't get dry rot from the sun. __________________ Anthony Garden city park, Long Island NY 11040 Zone 7b : 5 to 10 (F) (Nassau) FIGS4FUN1@aol.com Im here to help Crazy80z28 on Ebay Wish list... Hmmm more room.

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1360192749	Reply with quote #8

Spray paint the part that will be above ground, it will not last forever but it will act as a UV barrier for a while. __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1360197887	Reply with quote #9

James... Great tubs! They may not last forever, but they're cheap, and functional. You'll be root-pruning your trees after 3-5 years anyway, so that will be your chance to swap the old tubs for newer tubs, if they need to be replaced. If you drill drainage holes in the bottom, and the tree roots grow into the soil, make sure you get yourself a good truss before you try to lift the containers. Alternatively, you could bury the containers half way... pile mulch up the sides, to cover the containers and keep them cooler. You'll be picking figs soon. Have fun! Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1360201029	Reply with quote #10

BTW- if you criss cross your hole with a Geotextile fabric (weed barrier or filter fabric) before burying the pot it will make removal much easier in the future. __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1360205220	Reply with quote #11

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fortiflex-large-capacity-plastic-bucket-17-5-gal-capacity-burgundy-2229286 I use these, they are heavier. But more expensive! __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1360206286	Reply with quote #12

Quote: Originally Posted by kubota1 http://www.tractorsupply.com/fortiflex-large-capacity-plastic-bucket-17-5-gal-capacity-burgundy-2229286 I use these, they are heavier. But more expensive! That's a nice looking tub. Maybe for the next one... __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1360207196	Reply with quote #13

I decided to go with 16 3/4" holes around the side. 8 near the bottom and 8 more a few inches higher. None underneath. I ran out of potting mix, so I still need to add a little more, then mulch on top. I'll bury these half in the ground in a few weeks. After finishing the potting, i gave them both a couple gallons of water. The potting mix was already a little moist right out of the bag. What I added was just enough to let a small bit drain out the bottom holes. I mixed probably about 40% perlite with the potting mix. There not exactly centered in the tub.. oh well.. it adds character, right? http://www.interphaze.com/Fig/Isons1.jpg http://www.interphaze.com/Fig/Isons2.jpg http://www.interphaze.com/Fig/Isons3.jpg http://www.interphaze.com/Fig/Isons4.jpg PS. Forgot to mention, the taller one in front is LSU Purple, and the slightly shorter one in the back is Celeste. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1360209288	Reply with quote #14

Thanks for the pictures. Looking forward to hearing how they do this year. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1360210054	Reply with quote #15

Ison's planting instructions say's I should cut the top 1/3 off of these to make them shoot out lower branches. Should I do that and try to root them? or air layer the tops? Or just leave them alone. What do y'all think? __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

JoAnn749

Registered:1325443625
Posts: 1,184

Posted 1360260328	Reply with quote #16

Hi JD, my LSU Purple branched near the ground without any help from me! I let it grow the way it wanted - no pruning or pinching - just picked figs. I finally pruned it a few weeks ago. My tree is also in-ground. __________________ Jo-Ann DFW TX, Zone 7b-8a Wish List: Black Madeira,, Kathleen's Black, Malta Black, Marseille VS Black, White Paradisio, LSU Scott's Black, Conadria, White Trianna, Marttineca Rimada, Excel, Peter's Honey, Bebera Preta (Abebereira), Strawberry Verte

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1360268924	Reply with quote #17

Cool.. I'll probably just leave it alone.. if i get bored, I might try to air layer a foot from the top. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1360277018	Reply with quote #18

Danny K.... Good tip re: the weed barrier fabric. Wish I thunk of it. It would've saved my back! Thanks, Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

OctopusInc

Registered:1333335956
Posts: 341

Posted 1360279315	Reply with quote #19

How much are those Fortiflex tubs, Art? __________________ Growing: Pipo, Sicilian Red, Picolla Negretta, Red Lebanese, Ronde de Bordeaux, Galicia Negra, Violette de Bordeaux, Black Madeira, Celeste, Jolly Tiger, Figo Preto, Cole de Dame Blanc, Cole de Dame Gris, Sal's Gene, UCD 185-25, Paradiso, Dark Portugal, White Madeira #1, White Ischia, Chicago Hardy, Want: Sumacki (bass's), anything that produces like a boss in Ohio! I am both Octopuslnc & EclecticBotany on eBay

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1360280059	Reply with quote #20

Greg, I think they were around $15.00 There are only a few different colors. There is a 5 year warranty. But I think that would go out the door as soon as you drill holes. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

Alan1631

Registered:1347991991
Posts: 145

Posted 1360285350	Reply with quote #21

JD, I would cut at least 1/3 off ...maybe a bit more. I would then take each of those cuttings and cut them again to end up with pieces 6-8 inches long with at least 3 nodes. Seal the top with either candle was or school glue. Then put them in moss or a well draining medium and root them for more trees. My 2 cents worth. __________________ Alan _____________________________ Zone 9 - Central Florida Wish List: Panache, Bourjosotte Gris, Raspberry Latte, Petite Negri, Black Maderia, Cajun Honey

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