Winter gardening: hydroponic tomatoes

kimera · October 20, 2007

Last winter I planted many varieties of heirloom tomatoes in two hydroponic units in my greenhouse. I used organic nutrients. The results were mixed: The large varieties generally did not have a great flavor or texture (there were a couple of exceptions) but the cherry tomatoes were wonderful. So, this year I'm exclusively growing cherry tomatoes of about a dozen varieties; yellows, reds, blacks, and whites. I started the seeds two weeks ago, then they went into the hydro units yesterday. I am going to keep better records this year and select the best varieties for future plantings. A few pics:

**mdvpc** · October 20, 2007

K-wonderful looking setup-very hi-tech or sci-fi. 8) Pls keep us up to date on how your fall growout goes. What are the dimensions of your greenhouse?

kimera · October 20, 2007

10'x30' at the base, 13' at the roof peak.

dcarch · October 20, 2007

The next logical step

dcarch

**mdvpc** · October 20, 2007

D-Those robots need a tomatoville t-shirt.

K-thanks for the info-just beautiful.

kimera · October 20, 2007

That is hilarious!

dcarch · October 20, 2007

Very impressive tomato factory. A few questions, if you don't mind:

1. The plants look like they are very high off the ground. Would n't this decrease your ability to grow taller plants?

2. The electric fans, are they for air circulation? if so, wouldn't it be better for them to be in the "attic" space where hot air tend to be?

3. The setups seem very heavy, how are they structurally supported?

Thanks

dcarch

kimera · October 21, 2007

The roof peak is 13', so height hasn't been a limitation.

The electric fans are theoretically for air circulation, but I have not really used them. I do use similar fans in my orchid greenhouse, but haven't felt the need for the tomatoes. I have an thermostatically controlled louver panel on one end near the roof peak and fan on the other peak to provide cross ventilation. I also have a mister system; seldom used as well. But mostly, I regulate temperature in hot weather by removing the vinyl panels that form the walls, leaving only stainless steel mesh that allows much air flow.

The hydro unit is not heavy at all. It actually holds only a couple gallons of nutrients and the plastic pipe is not heavy. Those metal nursery tables could support dozens of these units.

Rena · October 21, 2007

I loved your pics last year. I think this a wonderful greenhouse..... AMAZING

**Mischka** · October 22, 2007

Did you design and build the hydro system yourself out of PVC or was it factory made? It looks fantastic! How many plants can you grow to maturity in it?

It sure puts the Robinson's Lost in Space hydroponic garden to shame.

kimera · October 24, 2007

It's a purchased hydro unit from North American Hydroponics. Each unit holds 33 plants. I looked at a lot of units and tried a few. I like this one the best. Extremely easy to operate and space efficient. This is my second season with this unit.

kimera · November 3, 2007

Updated photo taken today, November 3:

kimera · November 3, 2007

I grow tilapia in my greenhouses and use their wastewater in the hydroponic units. That way, I eat 'surf and turf':

October 20, 2007	#1
kimera Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 29	Winter gardening: hydroponic tomatoes Last winter I planted many varieties of heirloom tomatoes in two hydroponic units in my greenhouse. I used organic nutrients. The results were mixed: The large varieties generally did not have a great flavor or texture (there were a couple of exceptions) but the cherry tomatoes were wonderful. So, this year I'm exclusively growing cherry tomatoes of about a dozen varieties; yellows, reds, blacks, and whites. I started the seeds two weeks ago, then they went into the hydro units yesterday. I am going to keep better records this year and select the best varieties for future plantings. A few pics:

October 20, 2007	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	K-wonderful looking setup-very hi-tech or sci-fi. 8) Pls keep us up to date on how your fall growout goes. What are the dimensions of your greenhouse? __________________ Michael

October 20, 2007	#4
dcarch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,618	The next logical step dcarch __________________ tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato

October 20, 2007	#5
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	D-Those robots need a tomatoville t-shirt. K-thanks for the info-just beautiful. __________________ Michael

October 20, 2007	#7
dcarch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,618	Very impressive tomato factory. A few questions, if you don't mind: 1. The plants look like they are very high off the ground. Would n't this decrease your ability to grow taller plants? 2. The electric fans, are they for air circulation? if so, wouldn't it be better for them to be in the "attic" space where hot air tend to be? 3. The setups seem very heavy, how are they structurally supported? Thanks dcarch __________________ tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato

October 21, 2007	#8
kimera Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 29	The roof peak is 13', so height hasn't been a limitation. The electric fans are theoretically for air circulation, but I have not really used them. I do use similar fans in my orchid greenhouse, but haven't felt the need for the tomatoes. I have an thermostatically controlled louver panel on one end near the roof peak and fan on the other peak to provide cross ventilation. I also have a mister system; seldom used as well. But mostly, I regulate temperature in hot weather by removing the vinyl panels that form the walls, leaving only stainless steel mesh that allows much air flow. The hydro unit is not heavy at all. It actually holds only a couple gallons of nutrients and the plastic pipe is not heavy. Those metal nursery tables could support dozens of these units.

October 21, 2007	#9
Rena Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warm Springs, GA Posts: 1,421	I loved your pics last year. I think this a wonderful greenhouse..... AMAZING

October 22, 2007	#10
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Did you design and build the hydro system yourself out of PVC or was it factory made? It looks fantastic! How many plants can you grow to maturity in it? It sure puts the Robinson's Lost in Space hydroponic garden to shame. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

October 24, 2007	#11
kimera Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 29	It's a purchased hydro unit from North American Hydroponics. Each unit holds 33 plants. I looked at a lot of units and tried a few. I like this one the best. Extremely easy to operate and space efficient. This is my second season with this unit.

November 3, 2007	#12
kimera Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 29	Updated photo taken today, November 3: