Post by airscapes on Mar 20, 2021 13:48:29 GMT -5
I had mentioned in another thread about possibly trying to grow my favorite tomato hydroponically in the same raised bed with the rest of this years plants. I used to grow 10 plants in a 4x12 raised bed. Last year only had 7 as some seeds did not germinate. This year I am only going to put in 5 as I have not been selling as many in the past 2 years, (had about 5 or 6 weekly customers)
Anyway, I have most of the parts ordered for my first try at this. I did not take the simple route, but not overly complicated. The crux of the experiment is to see how the fruit tastes compared to soil grown. I expect not a good, but by doing this outside the lighting variable is removed from the experiment and it is strictly the grow medium. This will also give me a baseline and experience prior to trying the same thing inside over the winter.
Since this is all concept and all the info I could find was on growing Mary Jane not tomatoes I don't have any links to show images of but will explain as best as I can.
The Deep Water Culture is what everyone makes with the totes and airstone. The under current is where we add a little complication but also some simplicity for a large plant outdoors. If I was to go with the single bucket or Tote, how would I manage the water with a 6' tomato plant sitting on top, keep the rain water, critters and insects out (still a concern) and allow for easy check/fill of water, PPM and PH? Also in 98 degree sun the bucket or tote would get very hot (still a concern)
So to make it an DWC under current you add a pump and a second reservoir. The totes or buckets are connected at the bottom with a large PVC pipe so the are as one container (potential for leaks but we are outside). You still have the air stone, one in each bucket and a water pump to transfer the water from the resivoure bucket to the bucket with the plant. Having the inlet hose at the top of the growing bucket with a 90 degree elbow directing down at the surface of the water makes considerable agitation to increase oxygen and will also help to keep the roots wet should something happen that the level get very low. Having 2 containers allows 2x the the water for longer time between top offs and it is constantly moving nutrient from bucket to bucket. The water level, ppm and ph all get checked in the resivoure and the plant bucket is left undisturbed.. or so goes the theory.
Will update next week when parts start showing up.
If anyone as any experience in outdoor active hydroponics especially tomato be it good or bad, please feel free the hop in the thread and tell us about it.
Thanks
Doug
Anyway, I have most of the parts ordered for my first try at this. I did not take the simple route, but not overly complicated. The crux of the experiment is to see how the fruit tastes compared to soil grown. I expect not a good, but by doing this outside the lighting variable is removed from the experiment and it is strictly the grow medium. This will also give me a baseline and experience prior to trying the same thing inside over the winter.
Since this is all concept and all the info I could find was on growing Mary Jane not tomatoes I don't have any links to show images of but will explain as best as I can.
The Deep Water Culture is what everyone makes with the totes and airstone. The under current is where we add a little complication but also some simplicity for a large plant outdoors. If I was to go with the single bucket or Tote, how would I manage the water with a 6' tomato plant sitting on top, keep the rain water, critters and insects out (still a concern) and allow for easy check/fill of water, PPM and PH? Also in 98 degree sun the bucket or tote would get very hot (still a concern)
So to make it an DWC under current you add a pump and a second reservoir. The totes or buckets are connected at the bottom with a large PVC pipe so the are as one container (potential for leaks but we are outside). You still have the air stone, one in each bucket and a water pump to transfer the water from the resivoure bucket to the bucket with the plant. Having the inlet hose at the top of the growing bucket with a 90 degree elbow directing down at the surface of the water makes considerable agitation to increase oxygen and will also help to keep the roots wet should something happen that the level get very low. Having 2 containers allows 2x the the water for longer time between top offs and it is constantly moving nutrient from bucket to bucket. The water level, ppm and ph all get checked in the resivoure and the plant bucket is left undisturbed.. or so goes the theory.
Will update next week when parts start showing up.
If anyone as any experience in outdoor active hydroponics especially tomato be it good or bad, please feel free the hop in the thread and tell us about it.
Thanks
Doug
