Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes

Do you love fresh tomatoes, but hate the work that goes along with it? Are you tired of going out to your tomato garden only to see half of your tomatoes laying on the ground, and rotting before you can get to them? Then maybe growing hydroponic tomatoes is the answer for you.

Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes Info

Hydroponics is simply growing plants without the use of soil. One method of growing tomatoes using hydroponics—and also the most widely known—is by having the root systems suspended in nutrient-filled water.

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There are many advantages to growing hydroponic tomatoes.  First of all, no soil is needed. Tomatoes growing in soil need to search for the nutrients they need. When growing hydroponic tomatoes, it is easier for them to find these all-important nutrients.  Another advantage is that the water can be re-used, which cuts down on water usage. You can also cut down on nutrients cost because by using the hydroponic method, you are able to control the nutrients in the water.  Lastly, you can control pests and diseases easier because the hydroponic system can be fully mobile.

 Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes Systems

Basically, there are six types of hydroponic systems: Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip, N.F.T., and Aeroponic.  The simplest and most common of these is the N.F.T system, which suspends the roots of your tomato plants directly into the nutrient-rich solution. N.F.T or Nutrient Film Technique works by constantly pumping the nutrient solution into the grow tray and then draining back into the reservoir.  There is no growing medium except air, so there is no added expense.  The tomatoes are suspended in plastic containers which allow their roots to dangle into the nutrient solution.

To build your N.F.T. hydroponic system, you will need a large reservoir, an air stone connected to an air pump, a pump for the nutrient solution, and a grow tray and plastic containers for your plants. Your grow tray should have holes cut in the top that will suspend the plastic containers above the solution.  Once you have gathered all the necessary equipment, set your reservoir on a sturdy table. Place the air stone in the bottom, attached to the air pump. Also place the nutrient pump attached to a hose. Fill your reservoir with the nutrient solution and then place your grow tray on top.  Make sure there is a hole or tube in the grow tray for the solution to drain back into the reservoir.  Place your tomato plants in the grow tray and then turn on your pumps.  Your pumps will run constantly, giving your plants the necessary nutrients they need to grow properly.  A disadvantage of this type of system is that during power outages, your plant roots may dry out quickly.

 

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Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes Summary

Growing hydroponic tomatoes has numerous health and other benefits. Tomatoes contain large amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and potassium. The red color of the tomatoes is caused by lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that can neutralize the radicals in your body that cause cell damage.  Research has shown that men who eat ten servings of tomatoes a week (the equivalent of eating ten slices of pizza) have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Eating tomatoes can also cut the risk of colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and lung cancer. The benefits of growing hydroponic tomatoes includes the likelihood of pests and disease affecting your plants is greatly reduced because the hydroponic system is totally mobile.  Another benefit is that your tomato plants can get the nutrients they need in an easier way. Think about it, tomatoes growing in dirt have to search out the nutrients whereas growing hydroponic tomatoes, the nutrients are directly fed to your plants.

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