How to Grow Tomatoes Hydroponically

Hydroponic gardening is a simple way to save space in your garden and money on your grocery bill. Tomatoes are easily grown using hydroponic technology, and building your own hydroponics garden requires very little knowledge of traditional gardening. Because hydroponic gardens and tomato plants do not require soil for successful growth, hydroponics are a good option for indoor and urban gardening.

Things You'll Need

• Aquatic tank
• Soap
• Water
• Air pump system
• Air stone
• Styrofoam
• Plastic pots
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tomato seeds or cuttings
• Growth media
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Clean your hydroponic tank thoroughly with soap and warm water before using it to grow plants. Keep the tank clean throughout its use to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.

2. Cut a sheet of Styrofoam that will fit inside your hydroponic tank and float easily. Use a marker or pencil to trace the bottom of the small plastic pots you will be using to hold the plants on the Styrofoam.

3. Cut holes for the tomato pots using scissors. Cut a small hole at one end of the Styrofoam sheet for the air pump.

4. Place the air stone with the air tube attached in the bottom of the tank; the air stone and air pump will keep the water oxygenated. Follow all directions on your air stone and pump so that it will filter air properly.

5. Fill the tank half full with water and place the Styrofoam sheet in the tank. Pass the air tube through the hole in the Styrofoam.

6. Attach the tube to the air pump and leave the air pump next to the tank. Turn on the air pump so that it begins filtering air through the water in the tank immediately.

7. Add growth media to your pots. Purchase a growth media that is a 50 to 50 percent mixture of coconut fiber or vermiculite and perlite. Fill three quarters of the pots with your growth media and place your tomato cuttings or seeds in the pots.

8. Push the growth media around the cuttings to ensure they're firmly rooted in the pots, or cover the seeds with the media so that they will grow.

9. Place the pots with the tomato plants in the holes you cut in the Styrofoam sheet. Make sure the tops of the pots do not sink below the water. Spray the plants with a light mist of water once every day.

Tips & Warnings

• Dump and replace the water in your hydroponic system every three weeks to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae that can harm your tomato plants.

References

• Hydroponic Tomatoes
• Easy Hydroponic Gardening

Resources

• Hydroponic Tomatoes