Maximum for 9 pods

[karlapep]

I've had my AG for awhile and have grown only lettuces and herbs but with great success since it's hard to fail with the AG.  But I'm a 1st time tomato grower here as I always considered that an advanced experience.  Now I'm ready.    I've read (and will probably print out) the great info provided in this thread for week to week growing, THANKS!!!!  I have a ?few? questions:

What is the maximum # of tomato plants I should put in my Bounty 9 pod AG? And I'm guessing the plants should be spaced out, i.e., leave a pod empty between plants?

Should I just stick to tomatoes when growing in that unit, no other type of plant, or can I configure tomatoes on one side and an herb or two on the other side? I'm thinking it would be crowded, or tomatoes and herbs may not have the same growth lifespan.

Do some types of cherry tomatoes grow better in a 9 pod unit for some reason?  I'm reading here that determinate is what I'm looking for in the AG but is there something else I should look for.

We are serious tomato eaters in my house, love those red, rich-flavored varieties I get in the store.  But not all tomato taste is created equal.  Is there one variety that has that rich flavor, either AG pod or other seed you've found?

With herbs and lettuces I have used both AG peat pods and other seeds, and all has been well.  But if I use regular tomato seeds, how many seeds in each pod should I plant?

Thanks!

[Shawn]

I will do my best to tackle each one   I bolded the questions and answers are below each.

Jul 25, 2022 7:43:42 GMT -5 karlapep said:

What is the maximum # of tomato plants I should put in my Bounty 9 pod AG? And I'm guessing the plants should be spaced out, i.e., leave a pod empty between plants?

Typically no more then two plants.  Why?  Because they will grow and need air and space.  Some will plant three but they are more of a micro version.  So for me I would say no more then two.  Others may also chime in as well.

Should I just stick to tomatoes when growing in that unit, no other type of plant, or can I configure tomatoes on one side and an herb or two on the other side? I'm thinking it would be crowded, or tomatoes and herbs may not have the same growth lifespan.

Is you plant one tomato on one side, you can grow some herbs on the other.  Just know as the tomato grows it may encroach.  But I will say I have successfully grown peppers with an herb or two.  One other thing, tomatoes (and peppers) tend to like room temp water while herbs like cold.  That is not to say it can not be done because it can.

Do some types of cherry tomatoes grow better in a 9 pod unit for some reason?  I'm reading here that determinate is what I'm looking for in the AG but is there something else I should look for.

I have only grown a few tomatoes so I am really of no help as to what ones as I have only grown from those that were recommended.  With that said I grew the Red Robins and Windowbox  and Heirloom Cherry.  Please await others to respond as we have avid tomato growers here.

We are serious tomato eaters in my house, love those red, rich-flavored varieties I get in the store.  But not all tomato taste is created equal.  Is there one variety that has that rich flavor, either AG pod or other seed you've found?

I refer to other on the forum to help out on this one.
With herbs and lettuces I have used both AG peat pods and other seeds, and all has been well.  But if I use regular tomato seeds, how many seeds in each pod should I plant?

Usually plant 2-3 seeds.  You will thin them out to one when they germinated.  Planting more then one ups the germination percentage.

[karlapep]

Thanks, Shawn!!! Appreciate picking your brain! 

[Shawn]

Jul 25, 2022 9:34:05 GMT -5 karlapep said:

Thanks, Shawn!!! Appreciate picking your brain! 

Anytime, that is what we are hear for

[lynnee]

karlapep , my husband loves tomatoes, so I grow them all the time for him. Basically, you can grow any dwarf or small determinate tomato variety from seed in your AG--you just follow the AG instructions. The Burpee Veranda Reds are very sweet and flavorful, but so are the AG red heirloom and golden harvest tomatoes.

Since it's your first time, I'd recommend using the AG pods--either red or gold--because they are absolutely failsafe. I thnk that there are 3-pod kits available, and you would only need 2 pods for a Harvest or Bounty.  The golds in particular are great producers.

Until I found this forum, I used AG nutrients only, and had relatively small tomato harvests. Here I learned that tomato harvests will improve tremendously if you add a calcium/magnesium supplement regularly after 28 days. I use Botanicare CalMag+, and add 5ml every 2 weeks to a 9-pod Bounty. I also add 5ml Koolbloom to help with blooms, but it probably isn't necessary.

Your tomatoes will very much appreciate a rinse and refill every 2 weeks after a month or so.

I do NOT recommend topping the tomato plants the way that the AG instructions recommend. My tomatoes--all varieties, AG or otherwise--prefer to grow a thick canopy with the tomatoes developing mostly underneath. What I do, is somewhat ruthlessly prune out (1) the lower leaves that are no longer receiving light, (2) all yellowed leaves, and (3) all spindly or twisted growth in the middle where the leaves don't have enough space to grow.

I leave any clusters of blooms, even if they end up sticking up above the canopy. They will set fruit that will continue to develop, and the plant will promptly replace the canopy of leaves.  Regular pruning will make it easier to find the ripe tomatoes before they get overripe and crack.

Here is a photo of a couple of my ongoing tomatoes that were pruned about a week ago.  You can see how the plant's energy is being directed to developing the fruit. The topmost leaves probably need pruning again. These two Burpee Veranda Red plants have been growing for 120 days and have already produced a lot of good-sized red tomatoes.

[karlapep]

Oh, perfect!  Thanks everyone!  You guys are the best!

Karla

[karlapep]

Do you add the Cal/Mag in addition to the regular plant food?

[Shawn]

Yes calmag is given in addition to nutes.  however you do not add it at first.  For peppers not until they are 30 days old.  Not sure of the rest but someone will respond

[lynnee]

Jul 25, 2022 14:14:18 GMT -5 karlapep said:

Do you add the Cal/Mag in addition to the regular plant food?

Yes, and I see that there was an error in the amount, now corrected, in my post above. You add 2-5ml to a gallon of water, so I add 5ml of CalMag+ to a Bounty (bowl capacity is a little over a gallon) and 3ml Koolbloom after at least 28 days--often starting at the 3d feeding.

[karlapep]

Thanks for that update!  Appreciate it!

Karla

[lynnee]

Jul 25, 2022 21:06:18 GMT -5 karlapep said:

Thanks for that update!  Appreciate it!

Karla

One other trick for increasing yield, is to pick the tomatoes when they "break orange" (start to change color), and then let them finish ripening on the kitchen countertop. It reduces the burden on the plant, and makes no difference re flavor or size. Really!

[karlapep]

Love these hints!!!  Can't wait to see how I do!

Thanks sooooo much!