fruit in container
 

If I wanted fruit from a raja puri growing in a pot how big would the pot have to be? How long would it take to fruit? Is there any special way of growing it I would need to know about?

On a completely unrelated subject, can I get pups in a container, would I get fewer pups, and I know this sounds random but I've never found out if you get pups before fruit or fruit before pups?

Re: fruit in container
 

You'll need a container 32 inches wide. Sixteen inches would be sufficient for depth, but since Raja Puri is a tall plant, I would go with 24 inches for stability. A round container would be fine -- actually this is a standard size in the nursery business. You should shop around for pots and perhaps wait until February. At the moment suppliers are still trying to get rid of higher-priced inventory that was manufactured when oil prices were high.

Re: fruit in container
 

I've love to know who makes (and sells) plastic containers that are 32 inches wide. I have one that's about 20 inches, but only 12" in depth. I've been trying to grow some bananas in standard 15 gal containers, but I've had poor luck, perhaps because they're only about 16-18 " wide.

Is the 32" width also good to use for preparing a hole fror in-ground planting?

jc

Re: fruit in container
 

Standard terracot 140 litres in Europe ;)

Re: fruit in container
 

In the Los Angeles area:
Western Farm Service
American Horticultural Supply
McConkey Company

No.

Re: fruit in container
 

I have seen 32" pots at several local Home Depot. I believe they get them from McConkey Co., which is a wholesale only company.

Re: fruit in container
 

The 32" by 18" high plastic? Not stocked in big-box stores in the San Diego area.

Re: fruit in container
 

Our friend John MacKenzie has his patented Jackpots up to 48" wide:
Miller MacKenzie

Re: fruit in container
 

Actually, the ones that are on the shelves at HD here (in the Seattle area) are 30" dia. x 20" high. I'm sure that McConkey has a warehouse in the LA area, so there's no reason why you can't ask a local HD or Lowe's to check if they can get them for you. Wholesale price here is $84/case of 5. Expect to pay at least $24 to $30 each at retail level.

I just checked the local warehouse for McConkey in LA, they are at 12321 Western Avenue, Garden Grove, CA, (714) 894-0581, (714)891-0028.
.

Re: fruit in container
 

Wow, that's nuts. I'm thinking of the blow-mold black plastic that are one-tenth of that price.

Re: fruit in container
 

I got news for you. Those are the black blow molded plastic pots. In the thinner version, the largest pot is 4 gallon size. For the large 30x20 containers, 2 years ago, I paid a little over $10 a piece for them at McConkey. When I got some from them 3 months ago, I paid $84 for 5 of them. It could be because of the cost of oil, and at that time, gas was hovering at $4.00/gallon.

If you know of a place where I can get them for 1/10th of that price, please let me know. It'd certainly be a big help for me, since I have to have my plants in containers so I can move them under cover for the winter.

Re: fruit in container
 

Western Farm has given me the least-expensive quote with availability in February. American Horticultural Supply and McConkey are still dumping expensive inventory from last year, but the new inventory is comparable to the Western Farm price. These are made from the black, thin, flexible material that does not crack or tear.

Re: fruit in container
 

Has anyone used "jackpots" ? I take they are made of a fabric and not plastic? How do they work as a deck planter for bananas or palms? I am having a very difficult time finding large "inexpensive" pots for growing bananas and palms any help would be appreciated.

Re: fruit in container
 

At a retail store the typical pots offered are rated by appearance.

The pots at an agricultural supply store are rated by price because the grower wants the least expensive pot to transport their plant to market.

The pots I have been referring to in this thread are thin and flexible. You can drive a truck over these pots and then beat them back into shape with no loss of capacity or strength.

Re: fruit in container
 

Do they sell retail or only wholesale? I am needing 10 for bananas. I could also use a few for palm trees. Living in zone 6 everybody thinks I'm crazy :goteam: But I am wanting to move bananas around between deck and maybe a few in the landscape. I will bring them inside in winter.

Re: fruit in container
 

The JackPots are made from fabric and you can put them on a deck, use them just like any other pot. They are breathable though and will collapse when empty.
They sell retail, just give John a call or an email to order. Contact info is on their site.

Re: fruit in container
 

Sliding them around might be a different experience vs sliding around a plastic pot. Since you mentioned you plan to move them around for the seasons. Ask John what he things about dragging around a full one. He uses them there, he has some awesome papaya installation there at his nursery/farmers market using these and they are bearing fruit like there is no tomorrow. They are about the size you are looking for. I couldn't imagine trying to move those things, they are big, heavy, and soft.

Re: fruit in container
 

I will give him a call. I was thinking of using a 2-wheeler. I wouldn't be moving them all the time but I do have to consider ease of movemment.

Re: fruit in container
 

An bellman's hand truck with the long tongue would probably work but maybe not the short tongue dolly version. Getting it onto it might be somewhat hard. Putting it on plywood before filling it with soil might help with all that though. I'm sure you will figure it out though.. :)

Re: fruit in container
 

You are in southern Illinois where agricultural suppliers should be easy to locate. Call your local farm bureau or check the yellow pages learn who the vendors are and give them a call. You will likely have to physically go to the dealer to get the product: very few agricultural outfits have a need for internet business.

Re: fruit in container
 

I have 2 IC nannas in black plastic pots (I think what Richard is talking about) that are about 2ft wide X 17-18 inches high. I screwed 4 casters on plywood to move it around.
I have total of 6 pups - one is over 3 ft tall & potted. No fruits yet. You'll get pups before & after fruit.
I plant them outside inground in summer except next fall they will be very big & heavy if they don't have fruit to cut off. If they are still active growing, we'll have to haul them inside again.
My friend bought trees in these pots and I can't seem to find any more.
You can get fruit on potted nannas.

Re: fruit in container
 

I assume from the comments here that bananas prefer plastic to something like terra cotta pots?

They prefer good drainage also, right?

So, I should get a plastic container with holes in the bottom?

Thanks.

Re: fruit in container
 

Plastic is cheaper but liquor is quicker (with apologies to Ogden Nash).
Drainage is essential. See PTP_2009_03_Pot_Culture

Re: fruit in container
 

I know this is an old post but for what it worth I use laundry basket from walmart lined with weed fabric. Works like an air pot but much cheaper. Lots of sizes to choose from.

Re: fruit in container
 

I'd like to know more about this idea. Does the weed fabric keep the roots from circling, does it promote air pruning inside the plastic laundry basket? Are you using layers of weed fabric or just a single layer held in place by the soil?

John

Re: fruit in container
 

I have found it cheaper to buy used 55 gallon plastic barrels and cut them in two. I usually get them for $10 - $20 each, and they are very sturdy. Just make sure that they were used to store food-grade material.

Re: fruit in container
 

The idea is for air pruning, my first attempt was with a 55 gallon plastic drum cut in half and drilled full of holes. I use coconut coir for potting soil and originally i did not use weed fabric. It worked fine but.... the outside edge drys out and the soil falls out so I decided to use a layer of weed fabric to keep the soil in. I use the laundry baskets because it takes a long time to drill a thousand 1/2 inch holes in a drum. A 2.5 bushel laundry basket is 12 bucks at walmart and your done.

Re: fruit in container
 

Have you checked the banana roots in a laundry basket with landscape fabric...does it prevent them from circling? I wonder if 3 or 4 layers of landscape fabric might have an air pruning effect inside the laundry basket...

Re: fruit in container
 

Yes it does. This is the way I grow papayas to prevent root rot.
However bananas require lots of water, that means watering your plants two times a day during hot summer or even more. The soil will get dry very fast.

Re: fruit in container
 

Anita, I'm really interested in your papaya growing technique. How large a container are you using and can you say how thick the landscape fabric is around the inside of the container? Does this allow you to water your papaya plants in the winter (I'm assuming you have them indoors)...I've found that the only way to keep papaya alive indoors during the winter here (zone 9b) is by never watering them.

John