How to Grow Great Hydroponic Tomatoes

Growing tomatoes can be a tricky but rewarding experience. The types of tomatoes that grow the best indoors are usually varieties that produce smaller fruits. Varieties like cherry, grape tomato and plum tomato work the best. Growing tomatoes indoors protects them from temperature changes and pests. Growing tomatoes hydroponically means that you will have tomatoes faster and will have a more bountiful harvest. Another benefit is that you will be able to control what stage of growth the plant is in, allowing you to speed up the process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• General Hydroponics Water Farm Hydroponic System
• General Hydroponics 3-Part Nutrients (Bloom, Micro, Grow)
• Hydroton Rocks
• Bamboo Stakes
• Tomato Plant
• Measuring spoons

Setting Up the System

1. Unpack the system from the box.

2. Find a suitable location for your plant. Growing indoors requires a metal halide lamp or a comparable fluorescent lamp. This system can even be used outdoors.

3. Fill the bottom reservoir with fresh water. The Water Farm requires about 4 gallons.

4. Following the directions of the back of the nutrients add 4 tbsp. of Flora Grow, 3 tbsp. of Flora Micro and 1 tbsp. of Flora Bloom.

5. Wash the Hydroton rocks with water and fill the top reservoir with the rocks.

6. Wash the soil off of the plant's roots and place it in the Hydroton rocks. Use some of the rocks to cover the roots.

7. Install the drip ring and the air hose.

8. Plug in the pump and make sure that water is dripping from the drip ring.

Monthly upkeep

9. Check the water level at least once a day and refill it the the optimal level.

10. Change out the water every two weeks. Plants grown hydroponically easily absorb nutrients and, therefore, the water must be changed out.

11. Prune your plant when it has reached about 2 feet in height by cutting off the center most stalk. Additionally, you may need to start staking your plant at this time.

12. Change your nutrient formulation per the instructions on the the label. This phase will require the Bloom and Ripening nutrient formulation. The formulation is 4 tbsp. of Flora Micro and 8 tbsp. of Flora Bloom.

13. Continue to change out the water with formulation until you start to see your first flowers on the plant.

14. Change the nutrient formulation to aggressive bloom and continue this formulation until you have harvested your tomatoes. The formulation for aggressive bloom is 10 tbsp. of Flora Bloom and 5 tbsp. of Flora Micro.

15. Enjoy your first hydroponically grown tomatoes. These tomatoes will be some of the tastiest tomatoes you have ever had.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchasing larger containers of the General Hydroponics Nutrients will be much more cost-effective. Growing your plant outside on your patio allows the plant to receive the optimal amount of light.
• Not refilling the water level in your container will starve your plant of water and nutrients.

Resources

• General Hydroponics Website