Growing in soil vs. hydroponics

SEAMSFASTER · March 13, 2013

I'm considering growing in a soilless medium. I have zero experience with hydroponics so I'm not qualified to answer these basic questions:

1. Assuming optimal growing conditions and methods, how does the flavor of tomatoes grown hydroponically compare to those grown in soil? Are there published taste comparisons?

2. How does nutrition level compare, particularly with regard to trace minerals?

3. Can some of these huge heirloom varieties be grown successfully and profitably in a hydroponic system?

4. Can tomatoes be grown successfully in a hydroponic system with organic methods and products?

5. Is there a type of hydroponic setup which could be considered sustainable?

Cole_Robbie · March 13, 2013

1. That depends upon the soil you're comparing it to.

2. It should be the same or similar.

3. Yes, but there's a big difference between successful and profitable.

4. Yes, but organic nutrients tend to be more expensive.

5. They all take work and human tending. Aquaponics would probably be the most sustainable, but you still have to feed the fish. Aquaponics is also hard to get the nutrients right, at least in my opinion. There are people on here who have done it, but I've had a hard time when I tried.

Keger · March 13, 2013

Man, I see guys around here try this and go broke. They are going to "Make Their Money" when we cant grow anything.

And they are gone, real soon.

If you have deep pockets, have fun.

If not, well, let nature do its thing. Nature always wins....

Urbanfarmer · March 14, 2013

Only professionals with large operations and nutrients by the truckload are profitable. Amateurs can barely break even.

As for quality, I wouldn't have believed it myself until we produced heirloom tomatoes better in every way than anything I'd ever grown. On an amateur level, if you have a solid platform, perfect nutrient, and good seed, you can grow astounding tomatoes for your family and friends. If you're really good, you can make some decent side money at the farmer's market.

Never believe that garbage about hydroponic tomatoes tasting like cardboard. If you grow a cardboard supermarket variety, yes, that is what you will get. A wonderful heirloom grown correctly in a hydro system will out-perform your soil plant.

beefyboy · March 15, 2013

Hi Urbanfarmer (Ed) , this is Chuck. I think I told you about this site, correct?

March 13, 2013	#1
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: American Fork, Utah Posts: 160	Growing in soil vs. hydroponics I'm considering growing in a soilless medium. I have zero experience with hydroponics so I'm not qualified to answer these basic questions: 1. Assuming optimal growing conditions and methods, how does the flavor of tomatoes grown hydroponically compare to those grown in soil? Are there published taste comparisons? 2. How does nutrition level compare, particularly with regard to trace minerals? 3. Can some of these huge heirloom varieties be grown successfully and profitably in a hydroponic system? 4. Can tomatoes be grown successfully in a hydroponic system with organic methods and products? 5. Is there a type of hydroponic setup which could be considered sustainable?

March 13, 2013	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	1. That depends upon the soil you're comparing it to. 2. It should be the same or similar. 3. Yes, but there's a big difference between successful and profitable. 4. Yes, but organic nutrients tend to be more expensive. 5. They all take work and human tending. Aquaponics would probably be the most sustainable, but you still have to feed the fish. Aquaponics is also hard to get the nutrients right, at least in my opinion. There are people on here who have done it, but I've had a hard time when I tried. Last edited by Cole_Robbie; March 13, 2013 at 10:50 PM.

March 13, 2013	#3
Keger Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 327	Man, I see guys around here try this and go broke. They are going to "Make Their Money" when we cant grow anything. And they are gone, real soon. If you have deep pockets, have fun. If not, well, let nature do its thing. Nature always wins....

March 14, 2013	#4
Urbanfarmer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Freeport, Texas Posts: 134	Only professionals with large operations and nutrients by the truckload are profitable. Amateurs can barely break even. As for quality, I wouldn't have believed it myself until we produced heirloom tomatoes better in every way than anything I'd ever grown. On an amateur level, if you have a solid platform, perfect nutrient, and good seed, you can grow astounding tomatoes for your family and friends. If you're really good, you can make some decent side money at the farmer's market. Never believe that garbage about hydroponic tomatoes tasting like cardboard. If you grow a cardboard supermarket variety, yes, that is what you will get. A wonderful heirloom grown correctly in a hydro system will out-perform your soil plant.

March 15, 2013	#5
beefyboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pt. Charlotte fl Posts: 330	Hi Urbanfarmer (Ed) , this is Chuck. I think I told you about this site, correct?