Could experts evaluate my hydroponic/container-based/indoor plan?

indoor_tomist · June 12, 2014

Hi all. As promised, here is a possible plan to grow tomatoes indoors, under lights (partly), hydroponically, in pots. I was not sure which forum to post to, but this looked closest.

Any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

---------------------

Repurposed canning shelf, dimensions: 72" tall x 36" wide x 15.25" shelf depth.

Lower level for tomatoes, allowing 35" of height for dwarf tomatoes.

For containers (x2):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AUQO2APMRPLL

For tomatoes:

Dwarf Mr. Snow
Yukon Quest
Dwarf Arctic Rose
Rosella Purple

Lighting:

4' 8-tube T5, placed on its narrow end (so it will be 4' high), placed behind the shelf, near wall.

Mylar film on side of shelf away from wall (so that it will be a second reflector from the front.

Shelf will be on a "desk unit" platform that would allow me to roll the whole thing from the wall to the . . . large glass windows. Basic idea would be to use both sun and fluorescent light, the former during the day, the latter in the evening. I'd switch the side facing the light sources mid-week, so that will even out for the week.

If I could have two plants per container, that would be great--but I'm not sure this would be possible (or would so weaken the plants that there would be no point.

Note that the upper shelf would be for peppers and eggplant, I think. While I could provide more vertical space if needed for the tomatoes, I would prefer not to, unless necessary, as the upper level is already only about 2.5 feet tall.

June 12, 2014	#1
indoor_tomist Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Kansas Posts: 5	Could experts evaluate my hydroponic/container-based/indoor plan? Hi all. As promised, here is a possible plan to grow tomatoes indoors, under lights (partly), hydroponically, in pots. I was not sure which forum to post to, but this looked closest. Any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated! --------------------- Repurposed canning shelf, dimensions: 72" tall x 36" wide x 15.25" shelf depth. Lower level for tomatoes, allowing 35" of height for dwarf tomatoes. For containers (x2): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AUQO2APMRPLL For tomatoes: Dwarf Mr. Snow Yukon Quest Dwarf Arctic Rose Rosella Purple Lighting: 4' 8-tube T5, placed on its narrow end (so it will be 4' high), placed behind the shelf, near wall. Mylar film on side of shelf away from wall (so that it will be a second reflector from the front. Shelf will be on a "desk unit" platform that would allow me to roll the whole thing from the wall to the . . . large glass windows. Basic idea would be to use both sun and fluorescent light, the former during the day, the latter in the evening. I'd switch the side facing the light sources mid-week, so that will even out for the week. If I could have two plants per container, that would be great--but I'm not sure this would be possible (or would so weaken the plants that there would be no point. Note that the upper shelf would be for peppers and eggplant, I think. While I could provide more vertical space if needed for the tomatoes, I would prefer not to, unless necessary, as the upper level is already only about 2.5 feet tall.