Grew a Roma very successfully this year (30+ tomatoes) in a 5 gallon bucket with 3-2-1 mix (with Osmocote, lime and a tablespoon of garden sulfur) on the deck with 4-5 hours of sun. Still producing several smaller tomatoes this late in the season. No BER at all.

Here are a couple of hints to maximize production:

1. Plant DEEP and fill container almost to the top (there will be some settlement during the season). If roots become exposed due to watering be sure to add more mix.

2. DO NOT pinch out the first 3 suckers! These will become fruit producing just like the main stem.

3. Pinch out all suckers on the main stem after the first 3 have started to grow and pinch out ALL suckers on the 3 new growing stems.

4. BE SURE to cage the plant securely, it will become tall and heavy with tomatoes so secure your poles or cage to the 5 gallon bucket. Mine is 4' tall.

5. Water daily and fertilize (I used MaxiBloom Hydroponic 5-15-14) at 1/3 strength once a week (remember it has Osmocote that will last a few months) and mid-season water with a quart of water with a table spoon of Epsom Salts.

6. Trim leaves BELOW tomatoes that have been harvested so as to produce more plant energy toward the tomato production.

Hope this helps with growing tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. May not work for everyone but did for me. Also used this to grow a very productive, 6" tall Marmande tomato this year! Cheers...