I'm growing hydroponic tomatoes indoors

Last season I started to grow some tomatoes in large pots outside..

They were regularly watered and fertilized and I had a few tomatoes on the plants..

Then we started to get high daily temperatures reaching into the mid 40's.!!!..

Even with the plants sheltered with shade cloth..they all died..

This was the second time that it had happened..the first being at another location..

I decided I wouldn't try again..and besides at my age it was becoming impracticable to do any further gardening..

Then one day I happened to come across an article about growing tomatoes all year round indoors.!! This perked up my interest again..

I discovered that one could grow tomatoes indoors in a hydroponic system.!!

I liked the idea because you didn't have to worry about bugs and insects getting at your plants..and the containers were at bench top height..so no bending..no watering and you can have tomatoes all year round.!!!

I've always imagined that hydroponics was just for growing Weed, with all sorts pumps and bubblers with lights everywhere and using lots of electricity.!!

What I discovered is that with simple systems you can grow all sorts of herbs, vegetables and flowers..

There is a system called the Kratky method..It's basically having a container with liquid fertilizer and putting a seedling suspended in the liquid..That's it.!! No pumps or bubblers or expensive lighting..

Looking at you tube video's I found people were even using ice cream containers and large coffee jars to grow tomatoes in.!! Some used what they call in the US Mason jars..

The more sophisticated ones used plastic tanks and grew several plants in them..

I decided to give it a try..The best place I found was in the laundry..It's out of the way and I found that the space between the washing machine and the cupboard was ideal..

In my next post I will describe what I bought for the system and I'll show the little table I made to fit between that space..

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The same thing happened to my tomato plant, it was growing so well and then we had some extremely hot weather and then a sudden cold evening. It damaged the plant badly and the branches are all drooping now. I've seen some videos of the Kratky method and it looks very interesting. My only recommendation is to make sure to use a large container if you are growing tomatoes and to design a trellis system for the plant to hang onto.

Please make sure to post an update when you have everything set up. I'm sure our members will be keen to see how well the system performs.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/23591#Comment_23591

Thanks Eric..

I discovered that each tomato plant needs at least 10L. to grow effectively..

I bought a 20L. tank for the two plants I'll be using..

One of the concerns I had was a way to raise the lighting as they grow..maintaining the right distance..

I've just discovered an excellent way to do this which I'll write about in my next post..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74443#Comment_74443

I was thinking along the lines of a traditional lamp with an adjustable arm. But I look forward to seeing your idea of lighting the tomatoes.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100799#Comment_100799

Starting to put it together..

IMG_20221109_083935[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117292#Comment_117292

The grow light support is up..

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https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126822#Comment_126822

That's looking great, @Prof! I'm keen to see how you'll deal with the adjustable height lighting.

Please continue to keep us updated on your progress.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133167#Comment_133167

Hi Mitchell..

I found a very clever little device that can raise and lower the light..

I'm just waiting for it to arrive and then I'll set it up and take a photo..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137075#Comment_137075

Really looking forward to seeing how this all comes together @Prof!

Katie

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139776#Comment_139776

Hi Katie..

I've been looking for a way to have several hydroponic systems to grow a variety of vegetables..

The time is coming where the supply of vegetable products to supermarkets will become very difficult..

With the massive flooding in numerous countries around the World and the staggering amount of crop losses..It will change the supply and cost of vegetables..

So to that end I am going to try to be self sufficient..

One of the problems with hydroponics is that you generally need a fair amount of floor space or table space to have several fertilizer tanks operating at the same time....and like me..some people will just have some space between their washing machine and the laundry cupboard.!!

So then I realized..I have a lot wall space..I could mount a solid shelf to the wall and have several tanks side by side.!!

That will be my next project after I have established my tomatoes this time..

PS..My hoisting system for the lights arrived this morning so I went out and bought some tomato seedlings..

The only thing I'm waiting on now is the pH meter..It's very important that fertilizer / water mix is between 5.5 - 6.5..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141625#Comment_141625

And finally the lighting system is in place..

Those little black devices are miniature hoists.!! IMG_20221111_140030[1].jpg IMG_20221111_135600[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143022#Comment_143022

Thank you very much for that update. That looks to be an excellent method of adjusting the light. Once the plants begin to get taller you can simply pull on the rope and the lights will go higher.

We look forward to the next update.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143996#Comment_143996

IMG_20221112_132047[1].jpg We have hydroponic tomatoes under way.!! 😁

IMG_20221111_192147[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144748#Comment_144748

At the moment the plants are just sitting in water..

The instructions on the fertilizer packet suggest leaving them in plain water for 1 week..Then for the next 2 or 3 weeks they will sit in a water solution with 50% addition of fertilizer..

Then at the beginning of the fourth week a full strength water / fertilizer mix can be put into the tank..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145301#Comment_145301

It's the beginning of week two..

I've emptied the plain water from the tank and replaced it with a 50% mix of the fertilizer..

That will stay in the tank until the beginning of week three, when I'll make up a full strength fertilizer mix..

Then the plants will really take off.!! 😊

They have a grown a little in the plain water as I've had to raise the grow lights about 2"..

In the last week I've ordered a couple of Mason jars and some more net cups..I also bought a 4 shelf rack system and another fluro grow light..

As you can see, I'm planning to expand my hydroponic garden to incorporate several varieties of vegetables..

I was amazed at just how many varieties of vegetables you can grow hydroponically.!!

It seems that any vegetable that grows above ground is suitable..including water melon.!!! 😋 I've never thought of that as being a vegetable..but it's included..

Initially I'll be growing Capsicums..Cucumber and Iceberg lettuce..and two more tomato plants.!!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145735#Comment_145735

My digital pH meter has just arrived and after calibration and testing the 50% fertilizer mix, I found that the reading was 7.4.!!

The reading should be between 5.5 - 6.5..At 7.4 this would not promote growth..

So I had to make an adjustment to the pH level and after the change the reading came down 6.0.!! Perfect.!!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146068#Comment_146068

Thanks for the update, this is really inspiring and I am starting to think that I should give this a go as well. At this very moment, my tomato plant has started to wilt and I've been keeping a close eye on it but it's not looking promising. I'll have to find a spot in the house where I can set this up .

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146352#Comment_146352

Hi Eric..

This is the rack that I'm getting..It measures 700mm W x 300mm D x 1.5M. H.

I'll be putting it in the spare room..Doesn't take up much room..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146580#Comment_146580

Well it's the beginning of week 3 when I'll be making up the fertilizer mix to full strength..

In last week there has been significant increase in the size of the plants.! so much so in fact that I had to raise the grow light to the maximum height possible..

Also there is now a long thick root system protruding from the net cups..All in all I'm very happy with how quickly these plants have grown.!!

I can't imagine what's going to happen when I give them the full strength fertilizer mix.!!

I realised that I would need more height adjustment for the grow light so to that end I bought a new fluro light..

This light has two double tubes (4 in total) and puts out about 70% more lumens..

On the back of the unit it has a small stand up at each end..This gives me much more adjustment on the hoist system than previous..

Here is a photo of the growth currently..If you compare these to the original photos you can clearly see the increase in growth..

IMG_20221125_083203[1].jpg IMG_20221125_083219[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146775#Comment_146775

It's now the beginning of week four...

The plants have continued to grow..now with the addition of the full strength fertilizer..

Initially I had a problem..The leaves were starting to curl a bit and the plants were losing some colour..

I had set the pH level to just under 6.0 when I first added the full strength fertilizer..I took the pH reading again three days later and it registered 7.7.!!!

I don't know what happened as I had taken the reading the same way as the first.!! I immediately dropped it back to 6.0 and after a couple of days they started to come good again..

I've now set up my hydroponic garden.!! I've added two 20L.buckets..one for each plant..This will help the individual plants to expand with no limitations..

I also set up the twine supports for the plants to cling to as they climb..

The growing rack is also now assembled and I will be using that for growing other vegetables..

Here is a photo of the plants in the original tanks that shows how high up the growing lights are now.!!

I've also trimmed the plants to remove unnecessary stems and leaves which will help to keep them away from the bottom of the plants..

This will help with air circulation as they grow bigger..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146925#Comment_146925

Thank you for the update, your plants are looking good. Who knew that a few points past six would be bad for your tomatoes? Although I'm wondering why did the spike occur after three days? Does it mean that it requires more water when it goes up like that? I'm thinking that as the water level goes down the pH level starts to increase. Would a daily measurement give you a more accurate pH level control for the week?

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of your growing rack.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147057#Comment_147057

Hi Eric..Good to hear from you...

I think your answer to the high pH reading is spot on..As the liquid fertilizer mix level has dropped, the pH has gone up..

Something I hadn't taken into account..

With the alkaline level showing a high reading I added an increase to the acidic level to bring the pH level down..

It has worked a treat as the plants have taken off again.!!

The grow light is now at max. height and the plants are currently pushing past the light.!!!

Fortunately I have my new 20L. buckets ready to transfer the plants over..

With the new setup I'm able to extend the light source up to 1.6M. above the plants.!!

I also have the whole setup in my office now, which will give them a better temperature controlled environment than previous..

I will provide photos as the whole system evolves...

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147163#Comment_147163

This is what they look like now before I transfer them over to the new tanks..

IMG_20221204_101958[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147258#Comment_147258

This is the new system with the new containers that I'll be using for the transfer of the plants.!! 😁 Good old Bunnings !!

IMG_20221204_100046[1].jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147346#Comment_147346

Hi @Prof

That's looking pretty sharp! I see two holes in each pail, does that mean two tomato plants in each pail? I love the string climbing set you've prepared for the plants. Your plant's growth is surprisingly fast or I've just not noticed the weeks flying by.

Looking forward to the next update.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147428#Comment_147428

Thanks Eric...

The two holes in each pail are for different plants..

The back two holes will have the tomato plants and they will be right next to the stringers..

The front two holes will have a Capsicum plant and a Lebanese Cucumber plant..

The two Mason jars will have an Iceberg lettuce and a Bok Choi plant..

The tomato plants have now been put into the pails..

IMG_20221208_130335[1].jpg

You're right about the fast growth..I'm having trouble keeping up with it.!!

Since I moved them into the pails they have gone berserk.!!!

I have to move the little hoists up 3 clicks a day to keep up with the growth.!!!

I've been trimming off the lower branches and I think that might have got them going..😁

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147490#Comment_147490

I'm afraid I'm a bit behind with my updates..with the flooding and everything here in Mannum..

My jetty is completely underwater and my road is underwater to the left of me and to the right..

I and my neighbour have a dry road out the front...I did have until recently an access dirt road further along my road which went over the back of the hills..coming out at the top of Mannum..

Sadly that road has no access now as the waters have crept even higher..

I was beginning to feel rather isolated until the other day when the guy who has the property next to me ( who I thought had left ) came over and said he has an access track that goes over the hills and connects up to road into Mannum.!! Brilliant.!!

Now that's all settled..I can get back to my hydroponic garden..

There has been a lot of developments since my last post..

Firstly the tomato plants have reached their full height and are starting to show some flowers..Unfortunately there's a problem with the blooming..

Reading up about it..It appears that I need a different nutrient for the flowers to change into fruit..

Here is the latest photo of the plants..

IMG_20230110_112744[1].jpg

There are now some further growths in my other setups..

These are the capsicum plants..The one at the back nearly died but I was able to recover it.. It's just been a bit slow to grow..

IMG_20230110_113128[1].jpg

And in the seed nursery we have some strong growing cucumbers that are growing in cotton wool balls.!! and a variety of lettuce growing in a different medium..

It was a bit of an experiment to see if they would shoot in the clay medium..and they have.!!

IMG_20230110_114321[1].jpg

IMG_20230110_114431[1].jpg

I almost forgot...This is Iceberg lettuce growing in this tank..

IMG_20230110_120533[1].jpg

The strange colour comes from the full spectrum LED grow lights..

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147550#Comment_147550

Thank you very much for the update, I was wondering how the experiment was coming along. Your plants look good and the tomatoes are very tall now. Please make sure to post the nutrient you'll be using to make the tomatoes flower.

It's good to hear that you've got a passage out of that flooded area, please stay safe.

I'm looking forward to the next update.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147599#Comment_147599

Hi Eric..Good to hear from you..

The new nutrient has been ordered and should arrive shortly..

This is the one I've ordered..

Screenshot_29 test.jpg

I think the flood has reached it's peak now, but if there should be another increase in the level and the road out the front starts to go underwater..

the guy next door has said I can move my car into his yard on high ground so I still have access to his track..

It's nice to know that there's a good neighbour next door.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147645#Comment_147645

Just been reading through your timeline here and well done. I used to have a bit to do with hydroponics so thought I would chirp in. Great to see another hydroponic convert - it's not just the domain of the druggers. A few things I would note for growing fruiting plants inside - as opposed to growing just leafy plants/vegetables:

Indoor lighting needs to be considered. I can't tell if you've specialist indoor plant lights or not - but if not - you should be. Light spectrum is really important because plants need different lights to humans. Light at the blue end of the spectrum for growing and at the red end of the spectrum for fruiting and flowering. Commercially they may change the lighting for different parts of the life cycle. Your tomatoes do look a bit 'leggy' and lighting may explain this

pH Adjusting: great that you are regularly checking your pH and adjusted regularly. The pH affects availability of nutrient take up, different elements are taken up at different rates at different pH levels. Google 'Truog Chart' to understand this better. Would note though that pH for soil and soilless media are quite different. There is less buffering when not growing in the soil. Liquid pH adjusters are required for hydro and they do work faster.

Nutrients vary depending on what you're growing and phase of life cycle. You have worked this out already, well done. Leafy plants need more nitrogen, but flowering or fruiting plants need more Phospherous and Potassium - hence the 'Bloom' and 'Grow' type of nutrients you have highlighted.

Good luck and good growing.

pH and nutrient availability.png

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147689#Comment_147689

Hi robchin..

Thanks for your input..and thanks for "chirping in".!

When I first decided to try the hydroponic methods of growing vegetables inside..I looked thoroughly into it before I bought anything..

I could see that a fare bit of gear would be needed to cover most bases and at first I was a bit hesitant.!

But nothing ventured nothing gained.!!

To bring you up todate on the lighting side..I bought 2 T5 fluro light systems initially using 6400K tubes..I also bought 2 full spectrum LED panels..and then later 10 cool light LED strips..with timers and dimmers..

After the tomato plants had reached max. height..I changed one of the tubes over to a 2700K warm light to help with the blossoming..

It didn't help very much and that's when I discovered about the bloom nutrient..

The reason my plants look a bit " leggy" is because I've been trimming them fairly severely..

It seems that any leaf branches without flowers are only using up energy that could be utilized elswhere..

I'm using the Kratky method to grow the tomatoes and it's worked fairly well..I'm now trying the Deep Water Culture system and it's working well for my green vegetable plants..

When I get the Bloom nutrient and add it to the system, I'll let everyone know the results..

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