ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
We came across some of those Topsy Turvey hanging tomato planters for free in the spring, so we decided to experiment with them.
(For those wondering, only practical if you're doing just porch/balcony gardening in pots. Of no really benefit if you garden on any scale by any means. For tomatoes, be sure to select a determinate variety.)
We tried out an Italian sweet cherry pepper in one just for kicks, and the upside down growth resulted in some groovy curves, so I'm going to tear the planter apart and attempt a bonchi with it- bonsai style pepper plants. First, though, a few questions, largely for clarification, from anyone with more experience than me.
1: Dormancy. From what I've researched so far, capsicum anuum of all cultivars do require a dormancy period during which they shed leaves, but generally speaking cannot tolerate a freeze. Confirmation please? It's already fairly chilly outside at night (mid-40s F), but still very warm during the day, and the plant is still looking alive and active, though not growing. I'm going with this is a relatively cold hardy variety.
2: Winter storage. If it has a straight up dormant period, I assume the basic deciduous storage rules apply, plus protection from hard freezes. I have a spot in the yard where the past owner looks to have built some contraption in the ground intended, as best we can tell, for composting animal carcasses. It is, however, clean, ventilated, and far enough in the ground that it should maintain a rather constant temperature above freezing and below dormancy thresholds.
I guess the immediate question for me is this: It's supposed to hit freezing temperatures over night the next few days here. Do I put the thing in a real pot and throw it in the hole tonight as soon as I'm off work, or should I find a place for it in the house?
You may now troll away.
Thank you.
(For those wondering, only practical if you're doing just porch/balcony gardening in pots. Of no really benefit if you garden on any scale by any means. For tomatoes, be sure to select a determinate variety.)
We tried out an Italian sweet cherry pepper in one just for kicks, and the upside down growth resulted in some groovy curves, so I'm going to tear the planter apart and attempt a bonchi with it- bonsai style pepper plants. First, though, a few questions, largely for clarification, from anyone with more experience than me.
1: Dormancy. From what I've researched so far, capsicum anuum of all cultivars do require a dormancy period during which they shed leaves, but generally speaking cannot tolerate a freeze. Confirmation please? It's already fairly chilly outside at night (mid-40s F), but still very warm during the day, and the plant is still looking alive and active, though not growing. I'm going with this is a relatively cold hardy variety.
2: Winter storage. If it has a straight up dormant period, I assume the basic deciduous storage rules apply, plus protection from hard freezes. I have a spot in the yard where the past owner looks to have built some contraption in the ground intended, as best we can tell, for composting animal carcasses. It is, however, clean, ventilated, and far enough in the ground that it should maintain a rather constant temperature above freezing and below dormancy thresholds.
I guess the immediate question for me is this: It's supposed to hit freezing temperatures over night the next few days here. Do I put the thing in a real pot and throw it in the hole tonight as soon as I'm off work, or should I find a place for it in the house?
You may now troll away.
Thank you.
)
), and downpot them into (More)inorganic (I’m a poor guy) mix and brought them inside.
