Aquaponic/ Hydroponic Tomato Growing

Shows how to wrangle those gangly indeterminate tomato plants. Focus on pruning, staking (stringing up) and pollinating in a greenhouse, but could also apply…
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Question by imboredtotears: When should I start planting my tomatoes?
I live in Redlands Ca 90 miles from LA.This is my first year growing tomatoes from seed.The weather has been very mild.Weather rages from 70 to 85 degrees during the day and 40 to 60 in the night.So when would the best time be to start my seeds off.Also if you have any growing tips please share.Easy 10 points if you give me the right Information.

Best answer:

Answer by Megan
Summer or now if it is hot

Add your own answer in the comments!

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35 Comments

  1. Thanks for providing information on growing tomatoes using an aquaponics system. I agree that maintaining the plant healthy is a must for growing tomatoes.

  2. You could drink the water. A healthy aquaponics system is clean

  3. exactly. keep bush the same width as height, and you allow maximum foilage to absorb ligh…helloooooo…. Youll get tomatos 6″ in diameter all season long in HUGE qty….

  4. Those tomato look shabby. I gasped when she ripped off that foliate. If you want a more productive plant, leave all the foliage she clipped. For larger tomatoes, nip them at the bud when they flower.

  5. Until I saw this vid, I thought I’d have to settle for growing determinate varieties due to height constraints — so thank you! :) 

  6. should the dog be drinking that water???

  7. look see how RATTY that/s looking lol

  8. Give them a love tap? lol

  9. great video! really succinct…
    Thanks a lot.

  10. Man!

    You really have Me ‘Hooked on Ponics.’
    I’m going to check out Your blog.

  11. nope – just aquaponics where we keep the pH around 6.8 – 7.0 for everything

  12. Hi. I’m running at between 68 and 70 right now. A little cold for my tilapia, but they are still eating and thriving so I’m not too worried about it

  13. Hi There,

    What is the water temperature that you run your system at. Thank you for replying

  14. I”m a big fan of the 12″ deep aquaponics grow bed, especially for growing larger fruiting plants.

  15. I’m on a timer that is set for 15 minutes on (I fill in about 8) and 30 – 45 off, depending on the bed (I’m doing some experimenting).  I’ve had tomato vines last for almost a year. Sorry you are experiencing a root rot!

  16. I’m not sure what you mean by pH and ammonia problems. They are both indicators of something going on in your system that you should pay attention to, but I don’t have enough room in here to go into it. I never supplement iron – if you keep the pH in the proper aquaponics range (6.8 – 7.2) I find I don’t need to. Crushed coral is going to buffer your pH up over time.

  17. Thanks for the video, I’m off to put it to use in our AG. Have you had ph or amonia probs? How about iron supplementation?
    Our AG is attached to a home fish aquarium, with an in tank araganite/crushed coral bed- do you think this is a problem?

  18. Thanks for the video, I’m off to put it to use in our AG. Have you had ph or amonia probs? How about iron supplementation?

  19. Excellent videos. Thank you for taking the time to produce them.

  20. i love the info! keep up the good work!

  21. Great vid, I was wondering just recently how to handle tomatoes in an aquaponics system with their penchant for overgrowth, thanks.

  22. i gonna follow
    all your
    videos
    thanks

  23. the fish 😉

  24. Who’s farting?

  25. Thanks. I just started hydroponic tomatoes and they are only about a foot tall. This seems like a great solution.

  26. may if it’s not too cold

  27. DO NOT wait until summer to start your plants. They need mild weather that is 70-85 degrees. So whenever your weather permits you to do so, you can. Try to get a head start and plant them indoors under a grow light or buy transplants instead of growing them from seed. Make sure the soil is very rich and slightly acidic. This year I am growing mine in peat moss or coconut fibers in pots, because I have so many problems with my soil. Tomatoes are very picky about their soil. Make sure to use a slow release fertilizer a few weeks after planting and every 2-3 months after wards. Also each plant should be watered every other day up to 1 gallon of water. Water deeply at the roots not the foliage. If the leaves curl up or turn yellow then you have problems with your soil (yellow leaves) or the weather is too hot (curly leaves). That is why I am planting mine in pots with cages stuck down in them so I can move them into the shade if it gets too hot. Last year I had many problems here in the south with the crazy weather! Also be sure to prune the bottom leaves to avoid diseases. Tomatoes need plenty of air flow so make sure the wind is able to blow the plant around and that other plants, walls, etc aren’t blocking the plant. Horn-worms are also a problem! So I suggest using companion planting and checking the leaves and fruits of your plants everyday to stay up to speed!

    Good luck darling!!

  28. If you are going to plant outdoors, the temperature is to cold at night. I’m not familiar with the climate on the West coast. How cold does it get during the night at the end of January and the month of February? Tomatoes are susceptible to sudden temperature change. You can start the seeds indoors and when they are 4 or 5 inches transplant them outside when the nights are warmer.

    Here is a good article that’ll show you how to start a garden.

    http://www.ezfix101.com/2011/12/how-to-start-backyard-garden.html

  29. The tomato seeds need warm soil. Tomatoes like sun and heat and air flow.

    http://gardening.about.com/od/growingtips/tp/Tomato_Tips.htm

  30. Best answer would be to ask a gardening expert from San Bernardino…….try a Master Gardener at:

    mgsanber@ucdavis.edu

    or 909.387.2182

    These guys are avid gardeners who receive supplemental training from university horticulturist, etc to answer your garden questions. Not only will they tell you when, but also varieties they have had success with.

  31. Some hints on growing tomato plants; Start seeds indoors around Feb.1st.They will be ready to set in the garden around March 21st. which is the vernal equinox.(12 hrs.of sunlight). From this point the daylight hours will get longer which is good for growth. Avoid fertilizing with high nitrogen especially when plants are young, or you’ll end up with enormous top growth and little or no fruit. Bigger is not always better. Try the smaller varieties such as “Sweet 100” they have a superb flavor and produce buckets full. I have consistently good results planting the All America Hybrid varieties. Not very good luck with the Heirloom varieties. I suspect they are not as disease resistant as the Hybrids. There you have it. Have fun with it!

  32. Early Spring, like around April.

  33. Many novices fail at starting tomatoes simply because they start too early. Given the proper care, full-sized tomato transplants can be grown in 6 to 8 weeks.

    Before planting seeds, you must determine when your plants can be safely placed into the garden. Planting outdoors is best done about 1 or 2 weeks after the average last frost date for your area.

    Interesting article reveals tomato growing secrets! ->

  34. I think you should start with the seeds( in door) in April, that is when i start mine. Put them where the sun light is, don’t water them too much, try to do a single plant each container. If they get to big, try not to fertilizer them, give them just water and give less and less water, don’t let them stay under the sun light much as they used to be, these help to slow them down from growing. when the weather is right outside you can place them into your garden.

  35. I’m a professional tomato grower (just in my backyard). The best time to plant tomatoes is in late spring just before the advent of summer. It depends on your location as climate varies from place to place. If you must depending on the climate grow the seedlings indoors and plant them outdoors when they are two weeks old or so and when the climate is the beginning of summer.

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