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Old October 20, 2007   #1
kimera
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Default 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:


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Old October 20, 2007   #2
mdvpc
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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?
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Old October 20, 2007   #3
kimera
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10'x30' at the base, 13' at the roof peak.
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Old October 20, 2007   #4
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The next logical step


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Old October 20, 2007   #5
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D-Those robots need a tomatoville t-shirt.


K-thanks for the info-just beautiful.
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Old October 20, 2007   #6
kimera
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That is hilarious!
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Old October 20, 2007   #7
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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

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Old October 20, 2007   #8
kimera
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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.
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Old October 21, 2007   #9
Rena
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I loved your pics last year. I think this a wonderful greenhouse..... AMAZING
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Old October 22, 2007   #10
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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.
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Old October 24, 2007   #11
kimera
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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.
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Old November 3, 2007   #12
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Updated photo taken today, November 3:

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Old November 3, 2007   #13
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I grow tilapia in my greenhouses and use their wastewater in the hydroponic units. That way, I eat 'surf and turf':

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