How to Grow Hydroponic Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a fun and productive crop for many home growers, who enjoy growing the vigorous vines in their home gardens. Adaptable plants, tomatoes can be grown in many other situations, like hanging pots, patio planters and hydroponic planters. Hydroponic growing utilizes an enclosed growing space, controlled environment and a smaller amount of water. Grow hydroponic tomatoes inside your house and enjoy a large tomato harvest for your kitchen all year round.

Things You'll Need

• Media-based hydroponic system
• Distilled water
• Lights
• Peat/Perlite
• Nutrient solution

Instructions

Instructions

1. Sow tomato seeds in peat or perlite for hydroponic growing, which doesn't use standard soil. Peat and perlite provide the support and quick drainage required by tomato plants.

2. Fill the appropriate trays with nutrient solution appropriate to tomatoes. Mix the nutrient solution (available at hydroponic stores) with distilled water. Follow the manual that came with your hydroponic system to learn the parts and functions of the system. For tomatoes, which require constant water, use an active media-based hydroponic system which will use pumps and timers to monitor the watering of your tomato plants.

3. Maintain good lighting for your hydroponic tomatoes. Tomatoes need full sun and plenty of warmth, even in hydroponic growing situations. Keep your hydroponic system in a sunny window, and supplement the natural light with UV lighting on dark days or in winter. The more light your hydroponic tomatoes receive, the larger the harvest will be.

4. Replace the nutrient solution as needed to continue watering and nourishing your hydroponic tomatoes. This solution replaces fertilizer and soil in hydroponic growing.

Tips & Warnings

• New tomato plants can be propagated using seeds from old tomatoes.

• Leave tomatoes on the vines longer to allow them to grow for large, juicy tomatoes.

• Tomatoes can be damaged by drafts and lack of water. Do not allow your hydroponic system to dry out.

References

• GrowingEdge.com: Hydroponic Growing
• Arizona.edu: Growing Tomatoes Hydroponically