How to grow tomatoes hydroponically - instructions with tips and tricks
Aromatic and tasty hydroponic tomatoes are in no way inferior in quality to those grown in soil. At the same time, loosening the land, fertilizing it, mulching and treating pests replaces the introduction of nutrients into the water and control over some indicators of the finished solution. The usual soil is replaced with liquid both in greenhouses and at home.
Systems for hydroponics
Hydroponic installations are arranged according to the same principle: seedlings are placed in the planting container, and the nutrient solution is poured into the reservoir under it. Depending on how it goes to the roots, 5 types of attitudes are distinguished.
The simplest hydroponic system is the wick. The wick, which is well absorbed, acts as a conductor of the liquid to the roots.
The rest of the installations work on the principle of forced injection of the solution by a pump:
- Deep-sea culture installation - through the holes in the cover of the system, the roots of the seedlings are completely immersed in water.
- Drip irrigation system. - the solution slowly flows to the plants through the hose system. Passing through the substrate, it flows into the lower reservoir.
- Installing a nutrient layer - involves the supply of liquid to an inclined container with seedlings. It washes the roots and, under the influence of gravity, falls back into the reservoir.
- Aeroponics system - plant nutrition occurs by spraying the solution onto the roots suspended in the air.
How a hydroponic plant works
The tomato hydroponic wick system is an easy-to-install and maintain option. However, it is not suitable for growing large plants and obtaining a bountiful harvest. Much more efficient application of the installation drip irrigation, deep sea culture. Moreover, their installation and maintenance is more complicated.
For the garden on the windowsill, hydroponic installations are made by hand. The principle of drip irrigation is taken as a basis. To do this, you need a plastic container of a suitable volume, a low-power pump, a system of plastic pipes with holes. An example is the use of plastic pipes with plugs as a solution reservoir.
Tomato substrate - which one to choose
For retention in containers, a substrate for tomatoes is used - carefully processed gravel, a mixture of perlite and vermiculite, moss, expanded clay, coconut fiber.
Each of these planting container fillers has advantages and disadvantages:
- Gravel provides oxygen to the roots, is suitable for repeated use, but dries quickly.
- Expanded clay is a lightweight, inexpensive material for retaining moisture in a container and effectively aerating roots.
- Coconut fiber is an environmentally friendly breathable substrate. Provides a balanced supply of nutrients to the seedlings. The disadvantage is the high cost.
- Moss is not the main, but an additional component in the manufacture of the substrate. It is appreciated for its ability to retain moisture. The disadvantage is fragility, since the moss crumbles when it dries.
- A mixture of perlite and vermiculite - provides aeration of the root zone, effective distribution of moisture.Due to its physical stability, the mixture is used multiple times. The disadvantage is the low weight of fractions and their washing out in flow-through hydroponic installations.
This type of substrate for tomatoes, such as hydrogel, deserves special attention. The individual copolymer beads, when moistened, form a viscous mass. This medium sterile for the root system ensures moisture retention and, in case of overmoistening, its removal. Pure hydrogel is rarely used; more often it is mixed with another material.
If the tomato hydroponics system does not involve placing the roots in the substrate, the stems of the seedlings are fixed with clips with soft pads.
Solutions for growing tomatoes
The nutrient solution for hydroponically grown tomatoes is available from the store. Sometimes it is bred independently, but this requires certain knowledge and high-precision electronic scales.
At each stage of seedling growth, the solution is changed. This is due to the needs of plants for certain substances at the stage of active growth, flowering and fruiting. First, tomatoes are actively fed nitrogen, then phosphorus and potassium. Also, the standard set of trace elements they need includes iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc.
The amount of nutrient solution for hydroponic tomatoes is determined according to the manufacturer's instructions.
In order not to burn the roots of young seedlings, a weak solution is used for the first two weeks after their planting in a hydroponic installation. It is diluted with water, reducing the concentration of substances by half.
To grow tomatoes hydroponically, you need to carefully monitor the acidity (pH) and conductivity of the liquid from which the roots receive trace elements. The normal acidity of the liquid medium is 6-6.3, the permissible limits of electrical conductivity are 1.5-3 mS. In the first case, a litmus paper is used for measurements; in the second, an electronic device (conductometer) is used.
Hydroponic tomatoes - step by step instructions for growing
Growing tomatoes hydroponically is a series of carefully considered actions, supported by the right nutrient solutions.
From seeds to seedlings
All varieties of tomatoes are grown hydroponically, however, it is easier to care for low or medium-sized standard varieties.
The purchased seeds are soaked in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 20-25 minutes. The floating ones are thrown away, the rest are washed with clean water and sown in gauze soaked in solution. After the appearance of roots 0.5 cm long, they are placed in moistened mineral wool.
At the stage of forming the first pair of normal leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into foam sponges or stone wool cubes. There they grow for another 3-4 weeks.
So that the sponges with the root system do not dry out, they are impregnated with a hydroponic solution 1 time in 2 days.
Conditions for germinating seeds and the first days of seedlings life:
- air temperature - 22-27 ° C;
- length of daylight hours - at least 10 hours;
- The pH of the solution is 5.5.
After the fourth pair of leaves appears, the seedlings are ready to be planted in a hydroponic plant.
Planting tomatoes for hydroponics and caring for them
Before the last planting, a composition for hydroponics is prepared for the tomatoes, the containers are disinfected with chlorine and, if necessary, phytolamps are installed for additional illumination of the plants.
After that, the planting containers are ½ filled with the selected substrate. Seedlings are placed in it and the remaining space in the container is filled with the substrate. Everything is done carefully so as not to damage the tomato root system.
For each plant to fully develop, it needs at least 0.9 sq. m area.
Hydroponic tomato care consists of a number of activities:
- When the seedling reaches a height of 18-20 cm, it is tied to a support. Without soil, the roots do not hold the plant in an upright position, and the substrate is too loose and light for this.
- At the flowering stage, artificial pollination is carried out.To do this, touch each flower with a paintbrush or cotton swab.
- Maintain air temperature within 24-28 ° C. An increase in the maximum value often leads to sterility of flowers and the absence of an ovary.
- Control the acidity of the nutrient solution.
Growing tomatoes hydroponically is fun, but it takes precision, time and care. However, if all the conditions are met, early ripening varieties of tomatoes delight with fruits already on the 85th day after germination.