Only 5-6 hours of sunlight is marginal, but there is some potential for success there. Five plants in a 14 gallon container is far to many, it might be adequate for 2 tomato plants but one would be best. Finally, Juliet tomatoes are supposed to be Roma shaped tomatoes that are about 1 to 1 1/2 ounces, or about the size of large cherries.

The cucumbers that grew right next to the tomatoes grew 2 inches a day, but that was actually one plant in a 5-gallon container.

Is it even worth trying a large beefsteak-type tomato or is it best to stick with cherries?

There are countless varieties of tomatoes that can be grown in containers, including many large slicers or beefsteaks. This past season I had good results on my deck with Tycoon, a determinate hybrid that is particularly good in south Texas and was the 2011 rodeo tomato at the San Antonio stock show. Also with New Big Dwarf, a dwarf plant that produces big beefsteak tomatoes. Browse some seed venders and find something you want to try. I tend to stick with plants of smaller stature (dwarfs, determinates, or semi determinates) for containers, but many people are happy to do otherwise.

This post was edited by ABlindHog on Thu, Dec 19, 13 at 20:46

I can say that 6 hours of sun , in zone 9 Texas should be enough. Part of the sunlight is used as heat energy by the plants. In zone 9, TX, they will get lots of energy AND also consider the amount of indirect light in bright long summer days. Actually 6 hours is considered FULL SUN. I do garden at PNW, cooler weather with just about 6 hour of sun.

hard to grow large fruit from a small fruit plant