root bound container tomato

[3forfree]

I started seeds this spring and had more tomatoes than I wanted so I put some of them in 5gal plastic buckets. The plants that weren't in buckets already have tomatoes on them, but the container plants didn't even have flowers. I decided to remove the plants in the containers and put them in the ground. I was shocked to see how root bound these plants were from being in the containers. I hope this pic shows how bound it was.

 

[Arielle]

OMG

NOw I am worried about my 2 in a large water tub-- granted it is much bigger than a 5 gal pail, but I put in 2 plants. If they do poorly, I"ll know why!! THanks for sharing.

Hope you get a few flowers once it is in the ground!!.

 

[3forfree]

After planting the tomatoes from the pails to the garden they seemed to whither somewhat, but now have started to look healthy again so I think they may make it. I have other plants still in pails and am going to compare the growth as the summer goes by.