Balcony trellis gardening

16 years ago

Yes.. Another newbie...Another set of questions...

Some facts first...

1...Location.. East facing balcony (rising sun) with about 3-5 hours direct light on the 10th story.

2...Plants... Cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, peppers and tomatoes (all from seed).

3..Growth... Tomatoes are about 10cm at the moment(2-3 weeks). Cucumbers , zucchini and pumpkins have just broken ground (after 1 week). Peppers haven't done anything visual (after 1 week).

So....What I would like...

1... I would like to put trellises on the north and south walls for the cucumbers, pumpkins and zucchini. I would have about a 1.5 meters by 40-60 cm on the ground for a growing box. The available height is around 2 meters.

2.. I'd like to "stick" the tomatoes and peppers. I'm hoping they'll be small enough to leave in pots and let them grow on a table on the west side of the balcony ( the table provides the height needed for direct sunlight)

Questions for vine plants...

1.. Will the pots need to be in direct sunlight (for the roots) or only the climbing vines? There is no direct sunlight on the ground.. I can get tables but this will lessen the available growing height by 60-70 cm

2. How many plants do you suggest for the space available? I have about 30 cucumbers, 20 zucchini and 3 pumpkins.. I would assume all of them would be rather crowded.. What would happen if I do plant them all? Wouldn't the weaker ones die out from overcrowding and leave me with the best plants?

3..What are the best ways to support heavy fruit that is trellised? (I.E. larger pumpkins)

Various questions...

1..How long before I should see that the peppers are growing?

2..I have the seedlings in "cardboard" planters and the roots are starting to push through the bottom. How long before I need to move them into the position I would like them to stay in? (The big floor box)

3..Is there a standard growth rate for these plants? Something I can use to know if they are growing properly or need to be moved, etc?

4...I started out using a planting mixture that was meant for seeds.. When I transfer the plants should I change this or do vegetables become used to the soil they're grown in?

That's all I can think of for now

Thanks to everyone for your assistance in advance.

Best,

Roger

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Comments (5)

carol_71
16 years ago
Hi Roger!

I'll *try* to answer a bit your questions...

1.Soil temperatures shouldn't be kept too warm. Direct sunlight is relevant on the aerial part of the plant. If in too direct sunshine, containers might make temperatures in the root zone fluctuate in a too wide of a range, and you want to keep your plants' roots' temperatures as stable as possible.
2. Sorry to say it, but to be honest I think you have way too many plants for the space available. Of course, you could go for just a bit closer than the spacing that is recommended on seed packages and/or nursery labels, but it wouln't work with so many (for this special topic I recommend you the forum 'square foot gardening' for detailed info, since you wish to plant intensively)
3.Slings made of pieces of pantyhose.

1. HmmÂ no idea, never started peppers from seed. But need for higher temperature is probably the cause for the delay. You can put the seeds in a plastic pot (yoghurt pot washed plus a drainage hole in the bottom works) and set it indoors in a warm place.
2.Now, but don't tease too much the roots.
3.It depends on each plant of course, and which variety you have. For example, pumkins might grow 3-4m long vines, tomatoes come in so many sizes you can end-up with a 50cm tall plant, or 2mtsÂ If you keep visiting and reading this and related forums you can find out a lot about it.
4.Common 'poting soil' works perfect.

One question, is it very windy the location of the balcony? If so, keep in mind that the wind dries out the plants, making them thirstier. However, sometimes the *top layer* of soil makes you think the plant needs water but the rest down in the pot has still plenty. Touch the soil at a 2cm./1inch deep (again do not disturb too much those roots), when itÂs dry to the touch, give them water.

Hope this helps a bit. Best luck!
Carol
josiwax
16 years ago
Check out the book Square foot gardening if you're looking for ideas on how to trelis vegetables in a small space. That's a lot of plants, you are not going to be able to trellis that many with it. Check out the book for spacing guidelines.

Zuchini in particular takes up a lot of space (one can basically take up as much as the dimensions you described).
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digdirt2
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Also check out the Small Space/Urban Gardening Forum and the Growing in Containers forum here for lots of good tips and relevant info.

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alllove2u2
Original Author
16 years ago
A big thank you to Carol, josiwax, and Dave for the help and info. It's always funny how something done for
a bit of fun can turn into a hobby. I never thought I'd say "what the h*ll is wrong with my roses" let alone allow it to become an occupying thought. Thanks again.

Roger
mid_tn_mama
16 years ago
I agree with everything that has been said. I'll add that if you are growing that many plants in proximity, be sure that you are adequately fertilizing. I don't think you "can't" do that many. After all, think about hydoponics--lot's of plants with water and plenty of nutrients.

Balcony trellis gardening

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Balcony trellis gardening

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