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| | | Home»Hydroponic Tomatoes - III |
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| | | | Hydroponic Tomatoes - III | | | | | |
| Hydroponic Tomatoes -III
Nutrition
A great advantage Hydroponics offers over soil growing through providing is the plants optimum nutrition. However, at the same time you must be careful not to make mistakes in your formulation or weighing of fertilizer salts or the plants may be damaged. Tomato formulations are at three levels for the different stages of plant growth for commercial growers; however, one general formula is sufficient for small-scale hobby units. For example, if you need 31 grams of calcium nitrate in a 10-gallon tank, but you prefer to use a 15-gallon tank, simply multiply the 31 grams by 15/10 = 46.5 grams. The weights of the microelements are very small, so to avoid weighing inaccuracies, make up a concentrated stock solution and store it in a clean container that is closed and kept in the dark to prevent algae growth. Add a small amount of the liquid stock solution to your nutrient tank when making up the solution.
pH
pH is the measure of the acid or basic property of the nutrient solution. The pH of the nutrient solution must be maintained between 6.0 and 6.3 for tomatoes. Monitor the pH with a pH meter or indicator paper. Since pH meters are somewhat meticulous in maintaining their calibration, it is advisable to prefer to use pH indicator paper on a small scale such as the “Merck color pHast Indicator strips”. To adjust the pH, add an acid such as sulfuric (battery) acid to lower the pH or a base as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or baking soda to increase the pH. Wear gloves and protective goggles when handling these substances.
EC (Electrical Conductivity)
Electrical Conductivity (EC) is the measure of the concentration of the nutrient solution, which is its ability to conduct electricity. That property of the solution is a function of the elements in the solution which conducts the electricity. We use an electrical conductivity meter to detect the level of total dissolved solutes in the solution. An EC meter is essential to monitor the nutrient solution. This is expressed on a scale of millimhos (mMhos) or milliSiemens (mS).
Generally, a nutrient solution may have an EC of from 1.5 to 3.0 mS, depending upon the concentrations of each element present. Record the EC when you make up your nutrient solution and then monitor it daily recording it in a log book. Over time as the elements in the nutrient solution are taken up by the plants the EC will start to fall. As the EC falls below an acceptable percentage, you may change the solution or add a percentage of all the elements according to the percentage of decline in the EC. It is best to eventually, perhaps every 3 to 4 weeks, to change the nutrient solution as the plants take up the elements at different rates and therefore, some may be in deficiency while the EC still indicates there are adequate total solutes in the solution.
Pests, Diseases & Other Problems
Like all plants, Tomatoes too, are susceptible to numerous pests and diseases. Plants are not resistant to insects and as a result you must be able to identify such pests and know control measures to quickly combat them. Also, physiological disorders may develop due to nutritional imbalances or unfavorable environmental conditions.
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