Growing tomatoes in a hydroponic system
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a vining, fruit‐bearing plant in the nightshade family, cultivated for its juicy, flavorful berries used fresh, cooked, or processed into sauces. In hydroponics, tomatoes thrive under controlled nutrient, light, and temperature regimes, yielding abundant harvests year‐round.
Common and Alternative Names
- Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
- Garden Tomato
- Love Apple (archaic)
- Lycopersicon esculentum (synonym)
- Cherry Tomato (small‐fruited types)
- Beefsteak Tomato (large‐fruited types)
Varieties
- Cherry Tomato: Sweet 100 (Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweet 100')
- Beefsteak: Beefmaster (Solanum lycopersicum 'Beefmaster')
- Paste Tomato: San Marzano (Solanum lycopersicum 'San Marzano')
- Heirloom: Brandywine (Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine')
- Vine Tomato: Celebrity (Solanum lycopersicum 'Celebrity')
- Cluster Tomato: Juliet (Solanum lycopersicum 'Juliet')
Positive Identification
- Compound leaves with 5-9 lobed, slightly hairy leaflets
- Square, pubescent stems (characteristic of Solanaceae)
- Yellow, star‐shaped flowers in clusters
- Green berries ripening to red, yellow, orange, or purple
- Distinct tomato aroma when leaves or fruit are crushed
Toxic Look-Alikes
- Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) - dark berries, highly toxic
- Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) - white/purple flowers, spiky seed pods
- Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) - small black berries, toxic when unripe
- Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) - purple flowers, red berries
Plant Parts and Uses
| Part | Uses |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Fresh eating, sauces, juices; high in vitamins C & A |
| Leaves | Not eaten; used as mulch or compost after drying |
| Stems | Prunings composted; support for grafted varieties |
| Flowers | Seed production; attract pollinators if outdoors |
| Roots | Anchorage; source for propagation by cuttings |
Growing Parameters
| Field | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity (EC) | 2.0 - 4.0 mS/cm | 3.0 mS/cm |
| pH | 5.5 - 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 1400 - 2800 ppm | 2100 ppm |
| Temperature | 20-26°C (68-79°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| Hours of Light | 12 - 18 h/day | 16 h/day |
| Seasons to Plant | Spring, Late Summer | Spring |
| Seasons to Harvest | Summer, Fall | Summer |
| Wattage of Grow Lights | 30 - 50 W/ft2 | 40 W/ft2 |
Propagation Methods
- Seed - direct sow in plugs or rockwool cubes
- Stem Cuttings - 8-10 cm cuttings rooted in water or media
- Grafting - scions onto disease-resistant rootstocks
Compatibility with Hydroponic Systems
| System Type | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Water Culture (DWC) | Good | Needs sturdy support and strong aeration |
| Recirculating DWC (RDWC) | Excellent | Uniform nutrients for many plants |
| Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) | Fair | Short channel runs; roots can clog |
| Ebb and Flow | Excellent | Periodic flooding supports heavy feeders |
| Drip Irrigation | Excellent | Precise dosing; multiple emitters per plant |
| Kratky Method | Poor | Static solution inadequate for heavy feeders |
| Wick System | Poor | Wick cannot meet high nutrient demand |
| Aeroponics | Excellent | Fine mist boosts root oxygenation |
Common Pests
- Aphids (Aphidoidea)
- Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
- Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae)
- Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
- Fungus Gnats (Bradysia spp.)
- Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
- Leaf Miners (Liriomyza spp.)
- Cutworms (Agrotis spp.)
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