Comments on: DIY Upside Down Tomato Planter

By: Russ

Russ — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:38:05 +0000

Hey I just made one of these, but didn’t realize there were comments talking about other ways than a hair dryer. Being a single guy and too anxious to wait for my girlfriend to bring me her hair dyer, I just used a cigarette lighter. It worked great – and quick! I bet that hot water would work equally well, just throwing another idea out there.

By: Psmith

Psmith — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:51:00 +0000

I was sooo excited to see this… I just KNEW someone would have an idea of a DIY version… I have several large plastic planters with a center drain hole. Seems perfect to use upside down with jute or (water ski roping) and square knots for the planter holder.. the coffee filter and newspaper root-ball wrap were GREAT ideas…

Thanks to all for the inspiration!!!!… I have family in high-rise apts with balconies….and an elderly Dad with back patio who will love gardening this way…

This should work great for HERBS too…perhaps a large planter with multiple holes around the bottom for various herbs.

RE WATERING if indoors or hanging over carpet: Use a piece of vinyl or TARP with ropes on 4 corners to temporarily hang under the plant while watering… to make sure you catch any left over water before hitting the floor. Just hang with S hooks onto any place on the plant holder.. LESS MESS. )

By: E.H.

E.H. — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:44:57 +0000

This design is okay for small tomato plants, the dwarf varieties that stay really small. Larger plants will have trouble finding enough room for roots and you’ll be watering many times a day.

By: Upside Down Tomato Man

Upside Down Tomato Man — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:42:06 +0000

Great tips here and on your other article for making one at home. I’m currently debating on whether or not to buy one or make one at home. Have you ever tried one of the purchased home planters in the $10 range against ur homemade one? Curious to see how they perform side by side.

By: Upside Down Tomato Planter 2.0 « The Encyclopedia Hydroponica

Upside Down Tomato Planter 2.0 « The Encyclopedia Hydroponica — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:08:58 +0000

[...] For the standard plant installation (ie. a plant you bought at the store or have grown in a pot) see the Original Upside Down Tomato Post. [...]

By: mike

mike — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:26:58 +0000

VERY interested in your ‘from seed’ DIY planter . . . indoor . . . for heavy fruit bearing plants

By: hydroponica

hydroponica — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:00:25 +0000

Amber, I just tested your hot-water construction technique and it’s brilliant. In fact, it’s so clearly superior in the end results that I now feel compelled to rewrite my DIY on this project. I’ve edited this version at the top to indicate that it’s no longer the best method I know, and I’ll do a new one later when I get pics of the process.

In the meantime, here’s what I’ve learned:

- Fill the bottle to roughly the top of the label. The exact level isn’t terribly important, but this leaves plenty of room.

- Once you’ve started the “squash” you’ll probably need to loosen and re-tighten the cap a few times to let out a little air. Due to heat expansion you’ll probably want a pair of pliers to get it loose.

- You won’t be able to get all the water out until you cut the bottom off. However, get as much out as you can before you cut the bottom (now the top) off the bottle. Less mess that way.

- Compared to the hot air method the “mushroom” effect is significantly more uniform, comparable volume, and just much better looking.

Functionally I’d say they’re pretty similar, but aesthetically there’s a clear advantage to the water method.

By: hydroponica

hydroponica — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:56:24 +0000

Great advice – I’m going to have to experiment with this later today, maybe tomorrow. Thanks!

By: Amber

Amber — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:41:12 +0000

OH, and I just discovered a new way to push the top down. Fill the bottle almost full with HOT water. Put the cap back one, turn it upside down, let it sit for a little, then push against the cap. Once it starts to push in, you can quickly flip it over and continue pushing it in using the cap. You get a little more control than with the heat gun/dryer method. I was even able to ’shape’ the ridges around the bottle opening to be nice and even. This was much easier, faster, and more controlled than the heat method. I do recommend doing it in the sink, and do be careful of hot water leaking out. Hence not filling it completely lest you have an eruption when you push the top in.

Thanks for sharing your DIY instructions BTW!

By: Amber

Amber — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:35:02 +0000

One way to help protect the plant roots, and get it into the bottle a little easier is to wrap it in a bit of newspaper or brown package paper. You can protect the plant, plus roll it into a nice round shape, and the paper will dissolve over time. Also, instead of gravel on the bottom to prevent dirt falling out, try a coffee filter. Cut a line in it, snug it around the stem of the plant and push it in with the plant. Or if you have cut the bottom off your bottle, you could put it in through there.