How to Grow Hydroponic Tomatoes? This is a basic guide on how to grow hydroponic tomatoes.
Best hydroponic system
They have high nutrient, water and oxygen requirements; therefore, drip system, deep water culture, and ebb and flow are the suitable hydroponic systems for tomatoes in most cases.
- RDWC
- DWC
- Bubbleponics
- Kratky
How to Grow Hydroponic Tomatoes: Growing tomatoes from seed
In theory, all varieties of tomatoes can be grown hydroponically, but these are the most appropriate: San Marzano, Alaska, Moskvich, Azafran, etc. Regarding germination, this technique from dzagigrow.ru could help you.
- The seeds should be soaked for 25 minutes in a 1% potassium permanganate solution. Remove any samples that have floated to the bottom and rinse with clean water.
- Take a gauze, fold it in several layers, place it in a container with the seeds at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Next, cover with gauze on top so that the seeds are visible.
- Using a spray bottle, moisten the gauze with seeds with warm water. The gauze should be moist, but the seeds should not float on it.
- Cover the container with a lid and place it in a dark place for 4-5 days. Periodically check the seeds to see if they germinate.
After the roots are 0.2-0.3 inches long, the seeds should be transplanted into the growing media.
How to Grow Hydroponic Tomatoes: Substrate
Overall, the choice of substrate depends on the growth stage of the tomato and the hydroponic system. A tomato seedling or cutting is fixed, for example, with expanded clay, rock wool, perlite and vermiculite, coconut fiber.
Nutrients
Nutrients should be adapted to the vegetative and flowering phases. Therefore, it is best to use a three-component fertilizer.
How much light?
Indoors, tomatoes should receive light 10-14 hours a day.
pH
- Water temperature: 64-77˚F
- Air temperature: 66-79˚F (day) / 55-66˚C (night).
- pH: 5.5-6.5
- EC: 1.5 – 2.5
Pruning
Many tomatoes will have lateral stems, which will not contain fruit. So, to prevent these stems from absorbing essential nutrients, pruning is necessary.
Harvest time
Harvest time varies according to the variety of tomato. In general, hydroponic tomatoes take 3 months to harvest.