How to Grow Easy Hydroponic Tomatoes
Hydroponic growing is a specialized form of gardening that eliminates soil, puts plants in an enclosed system and uses water and air as the main growing conditions. Using a hydroponic system gives people without outdoor space a way to grow plants and vegetables and can be both simple and cost effective. Some plants, like tomatoes, thrive in hydroponic situations. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set up your hydroponic system according to the directions that come with the system. There should be growing trays, a support system and a watering tray. Fill the growing trays with your chosen growing foundation. Hydroponic systems use foundations like peat moss instead of soil. Plant the tomato seedlings in the peat moss as you would plant them in soil.
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Purchase tomato-specific nutrient solution from a hydroponic or garden shop. Hydroponic systems use this nutrient solution to replace the nutrition a plant would normally find in soil. Mix the solution with pure water per the directions, and fill the water tray of the hydroponic system. The system will circulate the water and nutrient solution through the peat moss on a regular schedule to provide the tomato plants' roots with support.
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Turn the system on and set it in a sunny location to grow your tomato seedlings. Monitor the system for leaks or malfunctions for at least ten minutes before you leave it alone. Maintain the water level in the system, and watch the seedlings to make sure that they're getting enough water. Make sure the system is always in the sun; tomatoes require six to eight hours of sunlight every day to grow. If you don't have enough sun exposure, set the system under fluorescent lights for these lighting needs.
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Tips & Warnings
Tomatoes and other vegetables continue to ripen as long as they're left on the vine. Leave any tomatoes on the vine for several weeks before you pick them for a sweet, juicy harvest.
Hydroponic systems eliminate the need for costly compost and fertilizer additions to soil and protect cold-sensitive plants from outdoor temperatures.
Hydroponic systems do not provide the light requirements for growing. Always keep plants in the light, or they will fail.
References
- Photo Credit tomato plants image by JLycke from Fotolia.com
