I've had my upside-down planters going for a while now and they are doing very well. Only a couple of the plants I started from seed made it. I collected several from someones compost, which has me thinking more about winter sowing for next year. I've got a couple of lessons learned that I'd like to share with you.
1. Avoid plastic handled buckets. Several of my buckets are plastic handled. One broke and I lost my only pepper plant. That was a very sad day. I then emptied about half the soil out of the remaining buckets and only use metal handled buckets for the remainder. I've been meaning to add a wire reinforcement to the remaining plastic handled buckets, just in case. One is hanging in such a way that I keep expecting it to break.
If you have to use a plastic handled bucket, I suggest drilling small holed in the sides of the buckets, then sending a thick gauge wire through those holes and over the top of your mount. That way, if the plastic handles do break, the metal ones will hold the buckets up.
2. Use smaller plants types, or tie them up as needed. One of my plants has grown down a few feet and then back up a few feet. In looking at it, when it starts getting big fruit, I see two things happening. First, the stem is going to bend back and get damaged. Then, it is going to be so long that some of the fruit will be dragging on the ground. Part of the reason for upside down planters is to keep the fruit away from slugs. I have some string that I will be tying this plant up with. I'll tie any others that look the same, and this should keep them from getting damaged, or dragging on the ground.
3. Follow fertilization guidelines. I did not screw this one up too badly, but I didn't read about how to fertilize them until they were well grown. Basically, you fertilize them when they are started, and then when the first flowers set. I used an organic tomato food that I got at the nursery locally. Don't use too much as this can harm them as well.
4. Watch the water. I had one that was draining too well and the leaves are always curling. It is still very big, but I use it as a guide for when to water. Make sure they get plenty of water, but let them dry a little between soakings. In the heat, you might need to water them every day or even twice. In not so hot weather, you can let them go a couple days. But they are in pots, so they need watering more often that they would in the ground.
