Of Course, people like tomatoes as a vegetable. It increases the taste of the usual dishes and has health benefits as well. It can prevent cancer, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. That’s why in every part of the world, tomatoes are one of the most excellent picks.
Increasing demand for food needs an unusual method of growing food. That’s why hydroponic tomatoes are becoming popular. It can be an essential source of vegetables if appropriately utilized.
Why Hydroponic Tomatoes
So, What’s unique about hydroponic tomatoes? Well, naturally grown tomatoes are perfect and nutritious. But you have to depend on soil for the growth of tomatoes. By cultivating it in a hydroponic way, you can control this food’s attributes to fulfill your choice. Again, you don’t have to worry about many of the side effects of insects’ lousy soil. You can imply nutrition as you want. Hydroponics can fill up your demand in an easy way.
Tips for Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes
Some proper ways should be maintained to get the best outcome by growing tomatoes hydroponically. These ways are not very hard, although they have to be taken to achieve an excellent result. These ways are not very hard, although they have to be taken to achieve an excellent product.
You may ask with what you would start, seeds or plants? Plants can seem a more straightforward answer. Well, the reality is the opposite. Plants are easy prey to diseases and other kinds of complexity. So, the seeds are better. Plant diseases can hardly attack them.
Carefully Chosen seeds of tomatoes should be placed into a nursery tray, which has a 4.5 pH level. After placing the seeds, 20 to 25-degree Celsius temperature should be maintained until the seedling comes out.
The Hydroponic Nutrient Solution for Tomatoes
The nutrient is a very crucial part of the hydroponic growing of tomatoes. Nutrients for tomato production are classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. Plants use macronutrients in large quantities and micronutrients in comparatively low amounts. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S), and Chloride (Cl) are considered to be macronutrients. On the other hand, Iron (Fe), Boron (B), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), and Zinc (Zn) are called micronutrients.
The amount that should be given to the seedlings differs in different stages. Because the plant doesn’t need the same nutrients in primary and advanced stages. In preliminary steps, tomato plants need limited nutrients. Because too many nutrients can hamper the plant’s growth. When the plants begin to grow, the amounts of nutrients should be increased. Because at this time, more nutrients should be needed to achieve a better outcome. When the plants are fully grown-ups, nutrients should be given at an elevated level. This increased amount of nutrients gives the tomatoes further growth.
In the primary stage, the density of Nitrogen should be kept limited. Because too much Nitrogen can hamper the flowering period of the plant. Similarly, Calcium and Potassium are also given in a short amount. The amount of Nitrogen, Calcium, and Potassium should be increased at a little increased level in the advanced stage. This increased nutrition helps to get better fruits. In the mature stage, the plants need nutrition at the highest level. Because the increased plants and fruits need more nutrition than in the previous stage.
Problems of Hydroponic Tomatoes
Like the traditional way of cultivation, hydroponic tomatoes can face various problems. These problems are not related to the hydroponic system, and many other factors can make these problems to the seeds, plants, and fruits. Careful steps can help to prevent these problems.
Sometimes fruits can be not so good as wished before. Misshapen tomatoes are often seen happening. The absence of proper temperature is a prime cause of this incident. Tomato plants are well-adopted to grow better at little above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). Lower temperatures can damage the fruits.
Sometimes deep brown or black areas are seen at the bottom of the fruit. It is called the Bottom End Rot problem. It is not a disease in the usual sense. Lack of Calcium is considered to be a reason for this. Proper nutrition can solve this problem.
Fruit cracking is a common problem that can have happened to tomato plants. These cracks sometimes seem to be very unpleasant. Experts say that inconsistent water can cause this problem. Although all cracking types are not problematic, cracking can also be seen as a result of very first growth.
Sometimes tomatoes become malformed with scars. At the last stage of this disease, the fruit becomes disfigured from the bottom. This difficulty is called ‘catfacing’. Low temperature during the period of early growth and pollination can cause this problem.
Sometimes uneven ripening is seen in different parts of tomatoes. This happens because of high nitrogen and low potassium, high temperature, whiteflies, and particular kinds of viruses. Proper nutrition and taking care can reduce this problem.
Pros and Cons of Hydroponic Tomatoes
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic tomatoes:
Pros:
Tomatoes grown hydroponically use efficient use of nutrients and water.
Hydroponic tomatoes hold a very high yield in terms of production.
The best thing about hydroponic tomatoes is that it does not require a specific season to grow; you can produce them throughout the year.
Pest control methods for hydroponic tomatoes are excellent. So, say goodbye to annoying pests.
Hydroponic tomatoes eliminate variables that can inhibit growth, such as pH, salinity, diseases, or inadequate drainage.
The grower can control all environmental aspects and ensure the tomatoes are in the most conducive environment for them to be grown.
Cons:
Hydroponic tomatoes consume a healthy amount of energy.
Requires above-average management skills to successfully manage plants.
Some people may prefer soil-grown tomatoes over hydroponic tomatoes.
Hydroponic Tomatoes Kits
Let us now look at some popular and available kits for growing hydroponic tomatoes.
Hydrofarm GCTB Tomato Barrel
You could use the Hydrofarm strictly as a traditional tomato planter with a self-watering system. But you could also use an inert growing medium like perlite or coconut coir in the farmer and deliver all nutrients through the watering system. And that would make the Hydrofarm a straightforward, very inexpensive hydroponic growing system.
General Hydroponics WaterFarm
This is not the least expensive kit, but perhaps the best kit for newbie hydroponic growers. General Hydroponics has been in business for about 40 years and is one of the most trusted and respected companies in hydroponics. Their WaterFarm system is designed to provide an easy start for beginners. And it’s an easily expandable kit for experienced growers. The WaterFarm is genuinely a complete system, providing everything you need to get started except for your seeds.
The Deep Water Culture Hydroponic Bucket Kit
This basic hydroponic kit offers lots of value for the price. It’s an excellent intro kit for hydroponic newbies. It’s easy to assemble and set up. And yet it will provide a thorough introduction to the science of hydroponic cultivation. For the price, the Deep Water kit might be the best hydroponic beginner’s kit on the market.
Deep Water Culture Hydroponic Bubbler Bucket Kit
This is another excellent kit for beginners. While a bit more expensive than some other basic hydroponic growing kits, it offers the advantage of providing 4 times the growing space of some other popular basic systems. So while this system is ideally suited for exposing newbies to hydroponics, it also provides the ability to grow several different crops at once.
Hydroponic tomatoes pH
Keeping the pH level right is doubtlessly the essential thing in hydroponic growing. For tomatoes, you can adjust the pH to 4.5 or slightly above. If you have brought your plants outdoors, chances are they may bring in pests and diseases to your grow medium. Consider using a rock wool starter while placing seeds in the nursery tray.
Do not forget to soak the rock wool before adding seeds. Put it on the domes, and keep the pH level around 4.5. When your seedlings have grown into plants, put them in separate pots, and keep the pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
How Fast Do Hydroponic Tomatoes Grow
With the beginning of hydroponic growing systems, people who love tomato plants’ fruits no longer have to wait for summer or fall to bite into a vine-ripened tomato. They can do it all year and in any U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone. The number of vine-ripened tomato fruits to expect from a hydroponic garden depends on several factors.
The classic average yield for hydroponic tomatoes is about 40 pounds (18.14 kg) per square foot per year. The departure may be less than that if your tomato plants lack the appropriate care and nutrients. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, growers can get 46 to 50 pounds (22.68 kg) per 1.4 square feet (0.13 m²) under optimum conditions.
Hydroponics tomato vs. soil grow tomato
Hydroponic tomatoes are grown in indoor facilities and are known as soil-less tomato growing methods. Hydroponic tomatoes are preferable because of the advantages the growing method has compared to the soil-grown method. Hydroponics tomato growing method saves space and water, fewer pests and diseases are concerned, faster-growing time, and easier to supervise the whole process. Hydroponics tomatoes can be grown in solution and medium culture. Soil-grown tomatoes are tomatoes grown in natural soil. Soil is nature’s first pick, so good quality soil has a good balance of essential nutrients, which helps tomatoes grow. For soil grown methods choosing good quality, soil is the first step, to begin with.
Dutch Bucket Hydroponic Tomatoes
Dutch Bucket System works on an exciting principle based on flowing nutrient solution to different individual plants covered by buckets like objects. In hydroponic systems, it can be used as a medium to maintain the nutrition system properly. It works on a special principle named the ‘Drain and Flow’ system.
In this system, some average-sized buckets are placed in a row. In each bucket, only one plant can be placed. These buckets contain growing media, which helps the plants steadily. One large bucket is used to maintain water and nutrients. Generally, a submersible pump is used to flow the water and nutrients to the plants via connecting lines. Each of the buckets has an elbow like a pipe, which is associated with the large bucket by an alternative line. As a result, after feeding the plants, the extra nutrients came back to the large bucket.
Growing hydroponic tomatoes in a Dutch Bucket can be more comfortable and profitable. But technical matters should be taken care of properly. Excellent outputs can be made by using the Dutch Bucket system.
PPM for Hydroponic Tomatoes
PPM or Parts Per Million is a vital matter to supply nutrients to the tomato plants. Although it is understood generally that the PPM needed for plants varies, there is a standard measurement to provide the PPM. Some experts say that some elements differ in many features, but as a whole, they can be said as the same.
In this measurement, Nitrogen is said to be 140 PPM. In this way, Phosphorus 50 PPM, Potassium 350 PPM, Magnesium 50 PPM, Ca 150 PPM, and Sulfur 150 PPM are said to be provided. Although many experts say that Nitrogen should be 150 PPM and Potassium shouldn’t be more than 280 PPM.
Many other measurements are said to be provided, but they are not entirely different from this standard.
Hydroponic Tomato Seeds Where to Buy
Nowadays, hydroponic tomato seeds are available almost everywhere. Big agricultural corporations and fertilizer companies provide hydroponic tomato seeds at a profitable price. Not only that, but many worldwide companies also offer these seeds by means of global connection. Alibaba.com and amazon.com are one of these international companies.
In Bangladesh, ACI Fertilizer and Ispahani Agro Limited provide hydroponic tomato seeds. Although hydroponic cultivation in Bangladesh is still introduction stage, it has excellent opportunities here.
Hydroponic Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes are a kind of small tomatoes that are made by using genetic technology. It is said that it has the qualities of both wild and domestic tomatoes.
The hydroponic system can cultivate Cherry Tomatoes. Like the Dutch Bucket system, a new hydroponic named ‘Bag system’ is being used in the USA to grow cherry tomatoes. In this system, the nutrient mixer is used instead of water. This is something different from traditional hydroponics. Water is provided by a drip emitter. In this system, moisture has to be taken care of properly.
Best Tomatoes for Hydroponics
A hydroponic system can be proved the best for tomatoes. But certain things should be taken care of. If these can be appropriately done, hydroponics can give you the best output.
The supply of nutrients should be maintained carefully and adequately. Any small mistake can ruin the whole project.
The temperature should be appropriately controlled from the stage of seeds to plants. Research says that optimum temperature is one of the best keys to getting the best tomatoes.
Humidity is an essential factor. Oversupply of eater or lesser water, both are not useful for tomatoes.
Controlling of PPM and pH of the system should be maintained carefully.
Seeds of tomatoes should be chosen carefully. It is seen that the worst seeds often ruin sound hydroponic systems.
The supply of too many nutrients at an early age can harm the plant. So, proper care in this stage is necessary.
Things to consider for choosing Grow light for Hydroponic tomatoes
We know that plants can’t grow without light. Plants make their food using sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis. When you are going to produce your hydroponic tomatoes, the matter of lights should be taken care of as well.
Here comes the question of choosing the proper source of light. In indoor cultivation issues, florescent or many other kinds of light sources are not suitable for plants. Because these sources can’t provide the necessary spectra of sunlight, only LED (Light Emitting Diode) sources can provide those spectra.
Some essential issues should be thought about when LED light sources will be chosen. These light sources emit heat; this can change the plant physiology. Again, an LED light source with a semiconductor chip of fewer than 3 watts can’t fill up the plants’ light needs. So, these things are very crucial when the light source of the plants would be taken.
FAQs about Hydroponic Tomatoes
How long does it take to grow hydroponic tomatoes?
If cultivated well, Hydroponic Tomatoes take 40 to 50 days to produce proper output. At least 1 or 2 months would be taken to achieve ripen tomatoes.
What is the best hydroponic system for tomatoes?
Generally, Deep culture hydroponic system is followed at a large scale to grow tomatoes. But it is not the only method. AISI hydroponics, DWC hydroponics, general Hydroponics GH4830 Complete Power Grower, and general Hydroponics GH4120 water farm grow kit are also considered to be suitable hydroponic systems for tomatoes.
Can you grow tomato plants in water?
Yes, tomato plants can be grown in a water system if proper nutrients are given. But appropriate methods should be applied to keep the plants steady and firm.
How much water do hydroponic tomatoes need?
In a hydroponic system, about 2.5 gallons (9.46 liters) of nutrients are needed for each plant. This factor indicates that double the amount of water would be required to grow well.
Do hydroponic tomatoes taste good?
Of course, it tastes good. If proper nutrients and other crucial factors can be fixed, hydroponic tomatoes can be as delicate and delicious as soil-grown tomatoes.
Can you grow tomatoes without soil?
Generally, plants need soil to fulfill their nutritional needs. If other ways can give proper nutrients, the necessity of soil can be reduced.
How much sunlight do Tomatoes need?
Full-grown tomato plants need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Why are the leaves curling on my tomato plant?
Tomato viruses, high wind flow, broad mite damage, and heavy dust can cause this problem to tomato plants.
How can I make my tomato plants grow faster?
Giving proper nutrients, protecting young plants from insects, maintaining temperature properly, and managing heat over plants can promote tomato plants’ fastest growth rate.
Summery
Of course, everybody loves tomatoes. Perhaps it’s one of the most widely used vegetables around the world. That’s why its demand is growing higher day by day. That’s why people are cultivating it in different ways. The hydroponic system is achieving popularity to grow tomatoes day by day. It’s easy, and indeed, it’s fruitful if appropriately used. In a hydroponic system, the qualities of tomatoes can be maintained according to one’s demand.
For this, the number of nutrients should be carefully nurtured. Generally, tomatoes don’t need too many nutrients when they are in the seed stage. Only water is sufficient to keep the seeds well. When the seedlings of tomatoes are grown from seeds, a little amount of nutrients is needed. In this stage, too many nutrients can spoil the growth of the plants. So, it’s not fair to provide unnecessary nutrients to the seedlings.
When the plants are well grown and prepared to give fruits, the number of nutrients should be increased. In this period, the matter of light should be maintained properly. When the tomatoes are visible, nutrients can be provided at a full scale. Hydroponic tomatoes can give the best output if proper care is undertaken. But it has some shortcomings too. Despite that, it can be an excellent example of growing fruits in a creative way.
Conclusion:
The Hydroponic system is not only good for producing foods only. It is an eco-friendly way in many respects. Recently, hydroponic tomatoes are achieving more popularity than ever. It can be a creative way to cultivate vegetables if proper research is done. Not only that, the hydroponic system can revolutionize our agriculture system if careful attempts can be taken.