In Praise of Gorilla Tubs

I have always found flower pots irritating. They are Ok for small things but getting into specimens the large tubs easily bought and reasonably priced are still the same basic shape narrowing at the bottom. They look bigger than they are. I have a Rhododendron Yakushanamum which I have in a container on top of the septic tank cover. I had it in a large pot but because of the narrowing it wasn't adequate. I wanted to repot it this year. I hit on the idea of gorilla tubs. Off to B&Q. Hubby drilled holes in it and it is now potted up in a dark green one which cost less than a fiver. It's a lovely shrub. Flowers very early and has all shades of pink, providing there is no frost.

 

What are 'gorrilla tubs'?

 

Lovely Rhodo and place in the garden, Granny.

We have those here, not sure of their real purpose and get them in the 'cheapie' stores. I just call them 'rubber pots or tubs' as they are very flexible and we do the same thing, drill holes in the bottom. They retain moisture well. Like you, they are about a fiver here ... so depending on the exchange rate .... :dh:

 

I thought they would retain the moisture well so i am glad you said that Victoria. They originated for use on building sites I believe. I have pink ones for laundry baskets. I will get some more as I have shrubs I am growing to plant when I get my pond back. It's fenced off because of the grandchildren and has turned into a wilderness:hehe: but I have been growing shrubs so they are quite mature when eventually planted.

 

As ideas go this is way up the list. I have one for weeding duties. HID has one for laundry. Just did not think to use it as a planter
robert

 

Great idea, if the tub is hidden like you've done. It looks very effective and interested to hear they retain moisture too.

 

Would you believe GorillaTub.com ? Reasonably flexible plastic buckets in all sorts of sizes, which I tend to thing of as Trugs - although not shaped like a trug.

 

Although ... I wonder how long they will last "outdoors" - compared to a black plastic pot with UV inhibitor? (big ones are blinking expensive though ...)

 

Mine are not an actual Gorilla Tubs but el-cheapo (€5 each) and in their fourth year of full sun all day up on a first floor deck with no reprise from the sun, one with a Washingtonia and another with a Phoenix Canary Palm. I wouldn't think mine has a UV inhibitor in it and so far no signs of stress. :thumb:

Because it sits on wood, the holes are drilled around the side about 4-5cms up to retain more moisture and then sitting in clay saucers. Both are 42cms across.

 

We have four of them all in bright colours although I think they are the B & Q cheaper versions, not used them for planting in far too busy filling them with weeds and cuttings.

Good idea to use as planters I must admit but worth they weight in gold to us as carriers of the dreaded weeds! :hehe:Hel.xxx.

 

Mine are from B&Q. I call them gorilla tubs cos that is what I know them as from my builder brother-in-law.

 

Excellent idea. I've seen them around, I just didn't know them as gorilla tubs, and had never thought to use them as planters.

 

I read about some contains for potatoes that have "little doors" in the side - I reckon that would be a good gadget for growing early spuds so you can reach in and harvest only the ones that are ready :thumb: