Growing Tomatoes Hydroponically

Growing tomatoes hydroponically can be a fun and interesting way of producing your own fruits and vegetables. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead of soil, a porous growing medium is used to secure the roots while providing an adequate source of water and air. Air is as important as water because, without the air the roots of the plants could rot and not be able to deliver the proper amount of nutrients, causing the plant to die.

When starting out it is best to use some good tomato seeds. Check the seeds for cracks, mildew, and other imperfections. Then wrap the seeds in a wet paper towel and put them inside a plastic bag until the seeds start to grow. Once you begin to see some root formation the next step is to transplant the seedlings into the hydroponics medium. There are many different types of growing medium to choose from such as charcoal, rock wool, vermiculite, and even coconut husk chips.

When using a hydroponic system to grow anything it is important to consider light cycles and light sources. Different plants react better to different types of light bulbs, as they release different light waves that the plants use during photosynthesis. It is best to get an automatic timer that will turn the lights on and off at a predetermined schedule. Also, be sure to adjust the distance of the lights from the plants as the plants continue to grow that way the plants don’t dry out. Hydroponically grown tomatoes should typically take about 75-100 days to go from seedlings to harvesting depending on the type of tomatoes you choose to plant. Have fun growing your tomatoes and remember to be patient.